January 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 1 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah See page 11 for more info Celebrate the Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special Musical Shabbat January 16th at 8:00 PM “Happy Purim” was so successful we are doing it again! Watch for more information coming soon! Sounds of Shabbat on Shabbat Shirah Jan. 30th 7:30 PM Add your voice to those of our choirs, instrumentalists and students!
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January 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 1 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
See page 11 for more info
Celebrate the
Life & Legacy of
Martin Luther King, Jr.
with a special
Musical Shabbat
January 16th at
8:00 PM
“Happy Purim” was so
successful we are
doing it again!
Watch for more information
coming soon!
Sounds of Shabbat
on
Shabbat Shirah Jan. 30th
7:30 PM
Add your voice to those of our choirs,
instrumentalists and students!
2
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
THE RITUAL OF VOLUNTEERING
I would like to share a teaching with you
that I learned from Dr. Vanessa Ochs years
ago:
At the Red Sea, the children of Israel stood
paralyzed, a great sea before them and the mighty
Egyptian army at their backs. It took a brave volunteer,
Nachshon the chief of the tribe of Judah, to wade into the
water and show them that the sea would split, just as
God and Moses promised. “For that reason Judah was
worthy to be made the ruling power in Israel.”
(Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 37a) Indeed, we are
descendants from that tribe of Judah; in Hebrew, that is
Yehudah. Jews are Yehudim!
Volunteering often feels like that: caught between family
and work responsibilities on the one side, and the
seemingly endless needs of the synagogue, agency, or
the less fortunate on the other side. It isn’t easy to take
the plunge.
If we do jump into the sea – sometimes uncertain of
what lies before us – then we join a long line of Jewish
leaders who are willing to be generous with their time,
energy and yes, financial resources so that they can make
a difference in our community and in our world.
One of my favorite readings is the following:
A woman walked along a beach filled with starfish,
stranded by the low tide. As she walked, she would
stoop down, pick up one at random, and throw it
back into the ocean. A man came upon her and
asked, “Why do you bother to throw some back
when there were so many more? What difference
does it make?” She picked up another starfish,
threw it back into the ocean, and said, “It makes a
difference to that one.”
Friends, there is a lot going on in our community. For
some, there are mixed feelings about the changes that
are about to take place. I would like to encourage you
to jump! Take a leap of faith. Help this sacred
community come together and build its future with a
wonderful, strong foundation of prayer, learning,
community and healing.
Temple Beth Tikvah needs you now more than ever…
to share your gifts so that this community continues to
thrive. My teacher taught that “volunteering is its own
ritual…every volunteer act announces to friends,
family, and colleagues that you are committed to a
better world, as daunting a proposition as that may be.
Be a Nachshon – a role model – for others standing on
the seashore who, with the slightest nudge, might join
you.”
As the secular year moves into 2015, I hope it is a year
of renewal, hope, strength and good health for you,
those you love and for this sacred community.
Rabbi Fred Greene
The Introduction to the Talmud that You’ve Been Waiting For!
Bring a dairy lunch and join Rabbi Greene for a lively monthly class and discussion which will consist of an introduction to the
Talmud - its stories, its themes, the sages, and see how its teachings build upon the foundation of the Torah.
The class will meet from 11:45 am to 1 pm on Fridays, January 23, February 20, March 13 and April 17
All are welcome. Dates are subject to change. Please check the TBT calendar to confirm.
“Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots .”
Sunday, January 11th, 10:45 – 11:55 AM
This book, by Deborah Feldman, was a New York Times Bestseller published in 2012. It is
the author’s account of her years as a member of Brooklyn’s insular Satmar Hasidic community and the
events that ultimately led to her leaving this life without any regrets.
Deborah Feldman was raised by her grandparents as her mother had abandoned the Satmar community
and her father was mentally unstable. She spoke Yiddish in her daily life and was forbidden to read
books or seek to obtain knowledge of the outside secular community. She was married off at the age of
seventeen to a man she had only met once. She proposes (as have many before her) that that the insu-
larity of the Satmar Hasidic community covers up shameful and unlawful behavior.
While there have been thoughtful critiques of this book, its accounts certainly stir discussion!
“SHABBAT TZEDEK / SABBATH OF JUSTICE”
in commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday night, January 16th at 8:00 PM
Many musical forces at TBT will join together as we honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. The theme of freedom permeates our liturgy and this Erev Shabbat service will include special
readings attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King as well as Jewish scholars throughout the years.
I believe that the unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality…. I have the audacity to believe that peo-ple can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up…. I still believe that we shall over-come.”
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, December 10, 1964
”SOUNDS OF SHABBAT”
in celebration of:
“SHABBAT SHIRAH” – SABBATH OF SONG
Friday, January 30th at 7:30 PM
Let’s nourish our extra Shabbat “soul” and celebrate Jewish Music and its power to elevate our prayer
experience. Many members of our congregation, from Adult & Jr. Choirs to members of our Religious
School and talented instrumentalists – will lead us in a joyous, uplifting Erev Shabbat service. Shabbat
Shirah derives it’s name from our Torah Portion which includes our escape from Egypt, the splitting of
the Sea of Reeds - after which our ancestors broke out into song and dance!
B’Shalom,
Cantor Kassel’s Upcoming
Adult Learning
The Music and Religion of Leonard Cohen
Sunday, Feb. 8 from 10:45-11:55 am
Tips for Leading an Engaging Seder
Sunday, Mar. 15 and Sunday, Mar. 22 from
11:00-11:55 am
Memorial Plaques
Memorial plaques are a beautiful way to honor the
memory of a loved one. Your loved one’s plaque will
be lit up on the anniversary of their passing and at
Yizkor services.
The price of a plaque is $300. If you have any ques-
tions or would like to order a plaque, please contact
Lisa in the synagogue office at 770-642-0434 or send
HOTTY was especially excited because for the first time in several years our annual Broomball Latke-In actually fell on Chanukah! What could be a better way to celebrate Chanukah than latkes, broomball, havdallah and a lock-in with all of your favorite friends? This event was open to all Atlanta NFTY members and we had over 40 teens at the event. We did mixers, ate pizza, and then headed to the Marietta Ice Center for a lively game of broomball. Then, back to the temple for games, movies, and the lock-in. If you missed it, no worries – you can come next year!
UP NEXT:
January 16-19th is NFTY-SAR’s Winter Regionals & Elections so we are headed to Jack-sonville for a fun filled weekend with other teens from around our region. Wish good luck to all of our HOTTYites who are running for a regional board position! Then, on January 31st we have our first Camp Jenny Fundraiser at Top Golf. Want more details? Talk to Allie Goodman, our HOTTY SAVP.
Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/) to
stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events!
JYG (7-8th Grade) JYG’s In Next up for JYG is one of our favorite events – the Chocolate Making Party at Chamber-lains Chocolate Factory. Mark your calendars for January 25th so you don’t miss this fun event! More details will be sent via email and on our Facebook page.
And, save-the-date…March 20-22nd is NFTY-SAR’s Hatikvah Kallah for 7th & 8th Graders (at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs)!! We’ll send out more info about this awesome week-end as the date gets closer.
Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening with JYG, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!
5th & 6th Grade December was our 2nd Club 56 youth group event. We had a lot of fun eating pizza, play-ing laser tag, and arcade games at Stars & Strikes. We’re so excited to be building up this awesome new youth group. If you missed the event, no worries, mark your calendars to join us on February 8th for our Mad Scientist event at TBT!
Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.56/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!
Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact us at: [email protected] or call us:
January 25th – JYG Chocolate Factory January 31st – HOTTY Camp Jenny Fundraiser February 6th - HOTTY Congregational Services
February 8th - Club 56 Mad Scientist
HOTTY IDF NIGHT
We are SO excited to finally have our very own youth lounge at TBT (classroom 21)! We are looking for some items to help furnish it. Here is our wish list. If you have any of these items that you would be willing to donate to us, please email us at: [email protected] (they don't have to be brand new, but in reasonably good condition). Thank you!!
Youth Lounge Wish List
♦Paint for walls ♦Chalkboard paint ♦TV stand ♦DVD player ♦Couches ♦Small tables/coffee tables ♦Storage cabinet ♦Bookshelves ♦Carpet ♦Wireless printer
Robert and Karen Kremer Kenneth Lawler Jr and Ginger Glazer
Hal and Jill Leitman
Ron and Lindsay Levin
Ronald and Jennifer Levine
Gary and Michal Loventhal
William and Rita Loventhal
Hadley and Lisa Lowy
Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig
Murray and Sonia Lynn
Joel and Aviva Margolies
Jason and Maggie McAuliffe
Thomas and Marsha McMurrain
Howard and Helaine Medoff
Gary and Peggy Mendelson
Ric and Barrie Mershon
Martin and Charlene Milstein
Ilene Monat
Robert Moss
Bernie and Gail Natter
Ryan and Rachel Palazzo
Jason and Melanie Pickett
Shirley Plotkin
Scott and Rhonda Povlot
Marla Ramaglia
Betty Rickles
Robert and Ellen Rickles
Barry & Robin Riegelhaupt
Howard & Barbara Rosenberg
Joel and Judy Rosenberg
Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig
Andrew and Barbara Sacks
Robert and Donna Schacher
Joel and Kathleen Schoenblum
Gary and Debra Schwartz
Rhonda Schweber
Sanford and Gail Seidman
Ira and Brenda Share
Stacy and Alicia Sher
Walter and Esther Shultz
Carol Shutzberg
David and Elisa Siegel
Sandy and Nancy Simon
Lawrence and Anne Skal
Kenneth and Helene Skolky
Stuart and Frances Solomon
Howard and Cynthia Steinberg
Mathew and Dani Stordy
Barry & Denise Straus
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow
Donald and Marilyn Tam
Rosalind Taranto
Lloyd and Gail Tate
Steven and Abbe Tobin
David & Christine Toltzis Bruce and Mariann Mamberg Turiansky
Mark and Sally Vosk
Bruce and Carol Waldman
Russell and Cyndi Waldman
Mark and Debbie Weiss Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger
Bram and Dana Wieskopf Mark Williams and Michelle Easton
Todd and Rachel Wilson
Andrew and Ilana Zalkin
Seth and Ellen Zimmer
(donations received through November)
Shalom! The 2014 - 2015 Annual Campaign - EVERYONE Matters is off to a
great start! As you consider making year-end contributions, please consider a
gift to the Annual Campaign.
When we say, "EVERYONE Matters", that includes YOU!
Just visit www.bethtikvah.com and scroll down to ANNUAL CAMPAIGN -
EVERYONE MATTERS to make your contribution today.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I'd like to thank the following members of
our TBT family for their generous pledges and gifts:
"The members of our Chavurah are like extended family. I can't imagine holidays without them!" "We joined a Chavurah when we first got to TBT and it helped us feel comfortable in the community quickly." -Comments from TBT members who are part of the Chavurah program. Sound interesting? Start the new year with a focus on community and join a Chavurah. New groups are forming now! What's a Chavurah? It's a group of people who share common interests and meet regularly to celebrate Jewish holidays, share simchas, attend TBT events, and par-ticipate in any activities that interest them. Being part of a Chavurah can enhance your experience at TBT by helping you develop a strong sense of community and deeper connections within the congregation. How do I join a Chavurah? Just fill out the application and we'll help you find like-minded families or individuals to form a group. Drop by the TBT office to pick one up, or visit http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/chavurot to download. What does a Chavurah do? You choose the activities you'll participate in and how often and where you meet. We can help you design a calendar of programs based on your group's interests. Questions? Please contact Dalia Faupel at [email protected]
C r e a t e C om m u n i t y i n a C h a v u r a h
Renee Davis in appreciation of all the blood donors and
volunteers, and Terry Stein for all his time and hard work
on the TBT Memorial Blood Drive
Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Joseph Cunix
June Wallach in memory of Howard Wallach and
Irving Hertzberg
Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in honor of
Rabbi Greene
Building Fund
Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of
Eleanore Bearman, Jules Stein and Jeanne Laibow
Campership/Israel Fund
Howard and Suzanne Silverman in memory of
Nathan Schwartz
Larry and Jackie Pepper in memory of Louie Herbin
Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund
Michael and Wanda Cohen in memory of Irving Cohen
Betty Rickles in memory of David Goldsmith and in
appreciation of the beautiful High Holy Day music
Dan and Laura DeRiemer in memory of Sydney DeRiemer
Steven and Janice Liederman in memory of
David Liederman
Jane Greenberger in memory of Ben Findley
Scott and Marci Weiss in honor of Cantor Kassel
Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund
Mariann Mamberg in memory of Kashmira Kiesel
Jack & Susan Arogeti in memory of Jane and David Levy
Aviv Chavurah in honor of a speedy recovery for
Esther Shultz
Addie Myers wishing continued good health to
Esther Shultz
General Fund
Dan and Laura DeRiemer in honor of all the work that
Marsha Mathis does for TBT
Shirley Crawford
Ed and Cindy Getty in memory of Ella Goldstein
Seth and Ellen Zimmer in appreciation of the Rabbinic
Search Committee
Seth and Ellen Zimmer in appreciation of Sheryl Blechner,
Steve Gerson and Ron Swichkow for their ongoing
leadership and caring
Douglas Wexler in memory of P. Richard Wexler
Harlan & Ivie Graiser in honor of Josh Karol's Bar Mitzvah
and in memory of Isaac Ackerman and Rose Ackerman
Prayerbook Fund
Addie Myers in memory of William L. Myers
Rabbi Greene’s Discretionary Fund
Mariann Mamberg in memory of Isaac Mamberg
David and Robin Bledsoe in memory of Mr. Larry Reuss
Arthur and Linda Waters in memory of Robert Waters
Addie Myers in honor of a speedy recovery for
Gene Carasick
Nadine Duhaney in honor of Rabbi Greene
Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund
Jane Greenberger in memory of Jacob Stern
Howard and Suzanne Silverman in honor of Rabbi Tam
David and Ellen Herold in honor of Rabbi Tam
Andrew and Barbara Sacks in memory of Dorothy Tveit
Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Aleck Andich
Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Mary Barid
Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Herbert Merlin
Religious School Fund
Dr. Barry Straus in honor of Hassia Levin for all the work
she does for the Religious School
Sisterhood Fund
Brilliant Atlanta, LLC in appreciation of the wonderful
Sisterhood parties
Tikkun Olam Fund
Jeffrey Willard and Steve Mahan in honor of a speedy
recovery for Esther Shultz
Steve Mahan in memory of Anna Mahan
Torah Fund
Sam and Alice Herndon in honor of a speedy recovery for
Esther Shultz
Youth Group Fund
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in honor of enhancing our
youth group participation at the NFTY convention
Donations
13
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
HELP US HELP YOU
Your synagogue community wants to be a
Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed
If you have recently experienced a loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha, please let our office know as soon as possible.
Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of support as best as they can. If you know of one of our fellow congregants who has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.
SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER
In Memorium
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:
Jack Wilner
Father of Debbie Jacobson
Donald Singletary
Brother of Patty Berger
Louise Singletary
Mother of Patty Berger
Bernie Bickwit
Husband of Bernice Bickwit
Father of Ellen Herold, Susan Williams and
Andy Bickwit
Melvin Haber
Father of Deborah Schlifka
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Thank You to our Amazing Office
Volunteers!
Richard Staviss
Marsha McMurrain
June Wallach
Natine Rosenzweig
Marsha Mathis
Esther Shultz
Erika Stein
Dani Stordy
Audrey Gordon
Gil Ludwig
Shari Perkins
Honor a person or event
with a leaf on our tree of
life. You can purchase a
leaf as an individual or as
a group.!
Breast Cancer Survivor Group for the Jewish Community
We have had a great start to the Breast Cancer
Survivor Group! The monthly support group
meetings are for all interested people who have had
cancer, who are going through treatment or
surgeries, and /or who have been recently
diagnosed, as well as for those who might have
questions pertinent to breast cancer. In addition,