January 2016 • Volume 30 • Issue 1 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah Celebrate the Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special Musical Shabbat January 15th at 8:00 PM Sounds of Shabbat on Shabbat Shirah January 22nd 8:00 PM Add your voice to those of our choirs, instrumentalists and students!
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January 2016 • Volume 30 • Issue 1 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
resolutions. As Mary Poppins said, “Promises are like a
pie crust – easily made and easily broken.” Think of all
the diet and exercise vows that all of us have made but
usually break before the first week of January is over.
I want to propose a few New Year’s resolutions which I
believe we ought to make and we ought to take seriously.
There is nothing wrong with Jews making resolutions to
be better in the secular New Year. Whatever works,
whatever helps us to be better people and better Jews, is
worthwhile. Some 200 years ago, Rabbi Nachman of
Bratzlav said to his disciples: “If you are not going to be
better tomorrow than you are today, then what do you
need tomorrow for?”
The truth is that in life you never stand still. If you don’t
strive to get better, then you get worse. So I believe it is
right and proper to make New Year’s resolutions, and I’d
like to suggest three resolutions for each of us to consider
making this year. I do not offer them in order of
importance or in order of the ease or difficulty which they
require to fulfill, but I do believe that if we can keep these
three resolutions, then our lives would be enriched and
more meaningful.
The first resolution I recommend
for each of us is to observe a
fast one day each month from
gossip. You see, I think gossip
may be everyone’s favorite sin,
and I know how difficult it is to
keep from gossiping. We might
not think we are gossiping but we do when we talk about
others to third parties even in the most innocuous way.
We read, “Oh God, guard my tongue from speaking evil
and my lips from speaking deceitfully” at the end of every
single amidah. Our sages devote many pages of the
Talmud to warning us against how much harm gossip can
do to the teller, to the listener, and to the victim. The
temptation to gossip is extremely hard to resist, which is
why I do not suggest cutting it out completely. That would
be unrealistic. I ask you, instead, to discipline yourself to
refrain from gossip at least one day a month. That should
be within our ability to do and, if we can do that, then
perhaps next month we can go for two days without
gossiping, and then three and, eventually perhaps we can
overcome – or at least minimize – the desire to gossip.
The second New Year’s resolution which I offer for your
consideration is to give a bit of tzedakah every week.
Actually this is a mitzvah which is harder to do than it
used to be. It used to be that many of us walked around
with change in our pocket, change which we had
accumulated during the course of the day.
At night, before going to sleep, we would
empty our pockets and put whatever
change we had in a bowl, or perhaps into
a tzedakah box. But now we live in an
almost cash-free society. We rarely pay
for anything with cash – not for gasoline,
not for restaurant meals, not for groceries. But the
disadvantage of living in a cash-free society is that we do
not accumulate change during the day, so it is not easy to
find coins to put aside at night. Why do I suggest that we
resolve to give a small amount of tzedakah every week?
Wouldn’t it be more efficient and more productive if we
gave a large amount of money once in a while instead of
giving pocket change every day? I make this suggestion
because giving tzedakah, like so many other things in life,
is habit-forming. Once we get into the routine of giving
coins, it becomes much easier to give dollars. And once
we get into the routine of giving dollars, it becomes easier
to write large checks. Besides, if we give a dollar ten
times it counts as ten mitzvahs, whereas if we give ten
dollars once, it only counts as one mitzvah. So my
suggestion to you and to myself is that we resolve to give
some amount of tzedakah – be it a large amount or a
small amount –daily or weekly. I hope that you will try this
because not only will you be making the giving of
tzedakah a habit, you will be reminding yourself each and
every day that the money we have is not entirely ours.
We are its stewards. It is our task to share with those who
need it more than we do.
This is the third and final resolution I recommend to you
and to me. This one is obvious and, therefore, very hard
to remember. This one is vital to our lives; therefore, we
all neglect it. My third resolution to you is that we strive to
remember all through 2016 that life is precarious and,
therefore, precious. That we need to make the most of
each day for we have no idea what tomorrow will bring or
even whether we will have a tomorrow or not. That is not
said pessimistically or cynically, but realistically. If you
have some love to share, some good to do, some
apology to make – today is the day to do it, for tomorrow
may never come.
These are the three Jewish-themed resolutions which I
submit for your consideration. I think that they are better
and wiser than the ones most of us tend to make as the
secular year begins. Leslie and I wish you and your family
a safe and healthy 2016.
L’Shalom
Ron Swichkow
Jewish Resolutions for the Secular New Year
7
Youth Group
HOTTY (9-12th Grade)
WHAT DID WE DO THIS PAST MONTH?
We had a blast (as usual!) at our annual HOTTY Latke-In. We had over 60 HOTTY (and NFTY-SARites) there. It was a fun night of mixers, Chinese food, latkes, movies, lighting candles, Havdallah and, of course, broomball. If you
missed it, don’t worry, you can come next year!
We are loving our Youth Lounge Nights each month – it’s a fun and relaxing way to hang out with your HOTTY friends once a month. They are on Wednes-
days from 6-7:30pm.
WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR HOTTY? FROM OUR CVP - JOEY CHANIN
We’ve started collecting spare change for our new Camp Jenny fundraiser, Pennies for Jenny. For those needing a brief summary of Camp Jenny, it is a summer camp hosted by NFTY-SAR over Memorial Day weekend at Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Georgia. The campers who attend Camp Jenny attend F.L. Stanton Elementary School in Atlanta, and must meet certain character standards such as participation in school and kindness towards others in order to go to Camp Jenny, where they enjoy the activities and atmosphere of camp, as well as the love and attention of their counselors, all of whom are NFTY-SAR teens. In order to help raise money for Camp Jenny, HOTTY will be holding a Pennies for Jenny competition, in which the grades will compete to see which can collect the most change in donations to Camp Jenny. For more information on Camp Jenny, visit nfty.org/campjenny. Information on Pennies for Jenny may be found on the HOTTY Facebook page. Finally, NFTY-SAR’s Winter Kallah will take place from January 15th-18th at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and the best part is… registration is already open! Regular registration closes on January 4th, and the price is $200. Register at Nfty.com! That’s all for
now! Have a wonderful holiday, and an even better New Year! See you in 2016!
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!
Join our Remind101 text updates: text @826ef3 to 81010.
JYG (7-8th Grade)
On February 7th, JYG is giving back to the community. Join us for a Social Ac-tion Project followed by ice cream together. Watch your email and our Facebook
pages for all the details.
Save-the-date: March 11-13th is NFTY-SAR’s Hatikvah Kallah for
7th & 8th Graders at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta!!
We’ll send out more info about this awesome weekend
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!
Club 56 (5th & 6th Grade)
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!
UPCOMING YOUTH GROUP EVENTS:
January 15/18 – NFTY-SAR Winter Regional & Elections (HOTTY)
January 23 – Family Tu B’Shevat event (grades K-12)
January 30 – Camp Jenny Fundraiser (HOTTY)
February 3 – Youth Lounge Night (HOTTY)
February 7 – Social Action Project (JYG)
Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact Adam or Bobbee at: [email protected] or (404) 228–2494
BONIM / GESHER CHANUKAH PARTY
FREE* JEWISH GENETIC
SCREENING EVENT
January 10th
10 am - 2 pm at Temple Beth Tikvah
With over 99% accuracy, NxGen MDx’s Genetic Carrier
Screening is one of the world’s most accurate tests for detecting
genetic markers that may affect pregnancy and future child
development. Join us for a complimentary screening so you can
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of George Jordan
and in honor of all our TBT Vets, in honor of the B'not
Mitzvah of Kay and Rachel Smolin, in memory of Bonnie
Keller and in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Cohen
Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Bonnie Keller
Paul and Andra Zolty in honor of Marilyn and Donald Tam
Sidney and Lois Malkin in appreciation of
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and Cantor Kassel
Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of William Berney,
Leonard Paul and Charles Zeitz
Steve Mahan in memory of Anna Mahan
Douglas Wexler in memory of Dr. P. Richard Wexler
Rochelle Lawrence in honor of the Senior Lunch program
Building Fund
Bernie and Gail Natter in memory of Robert Feldser
Campership/Israel Fund
Jared and Rachael King in honor of Hudson King's
Bar Mitzvah
Scott and Kristin Oman in honor of Hudson King's
Bar Mitzvah
Howard and Suzanne Silverman in memory of Ina Lieber
and Bertha Schwartz
Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund
Mike and Kathy Levin in memory of Shulamit Noiyman,
Aline McMurrain and Bonnie Keller
Michael and Wanda Cohen in memory of Irving Cohen
Leon and Judy Cohen
David and Roberta Coad in memory of Dorothy Spielvogel
Rosalind Taranto in memory of Philip Pomerance
Frances Jordan in appreciation of Cantor Kassel
Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Aleck Andich
Lori Shapiro in appreciation of Cantor's wonderful Chanukah performance for the Breman volunteers Michael and Lisa Cohen in appreciation of Cantor Kassel
Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund
Leonard Berger in memory of Doris K. Berger
Jane Greenberger in memory of Ben Findley
Betty Rickles in honor of Jeff Willard and Steve Mahan
Frances Jordan in appreciation of the TBT Caring/Kehillat
Chesed committee
General Fund
Scott and Marsha Wiatric in memory of Jerome Wiatric
Leon and Judy Cohen in honor of Ryan Cohen's
Bar Mitzvah
Shirley Crawford
Frances Jordan in appreciation of Rick Weiner for
conducting the Shiva service
Arnie and Aubiere Cohen in memory of Belvie Hawkins, Bessie Hawkins, Carlton Hawkins, Morris Cohen, Gloria Ershler and Bessie Mandel Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin in memory of Virginia Raidor
Jill Kaplan in memory of Sandi Altman
Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund
Andrew and Ilana Zalkin in memory of Betty Jacobson
Steven and Helen Kraus in appreciation of Andy and Ilana Zalkin Clifford and Loretta Weiss in memory of Rhonda Knowles
Prayerbook Fund
Mark and Sally Vosk in memory of Irving Vosk
Preschool Fund
Loretta Weiss in memory of Rhonda Knowles
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund
Sidney and Lois Malkin in memory of Annie Pater
Randall and Amy Siegal in support of Family Promise
Seth and Erin Cooper in appreciation of Gary and
Michal Loventhal taking amazing care of Ellie Cooper
Leon and Judy Cohen
Gene Carasick and Terry Apt Carasick in honor of
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of
Julius Rosenzweig
Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Mary Barid
Frances Jordan in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
Seth and Ellen Zimmer in memory of Elaine Gralnick
Michael and Lisa Cohen in appreciation of
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
David and Robin Bledsoe in memory of Lawrence Reuss
Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund
Carol Shutzberg in appreciation of Rabbi Tam's enjoyable, educational and witty class at SEL lectures Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Herbert Merlin
Andrew and Barbara Sacks in memory of Hyman Sacks
Religious School Fund
North Georgia Pain Clinic Staff in appreciation of Dr. Barry Straus
(donations processed through 12/21)
Donations
13
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER
In Memoriam
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow
the passing of:
Oscar Alter
Father of Ilene Alter-Shapiro
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Thank You to our Amazing Office
Volunteers!
Richard Staviss
June Wallach
Lois Malkin
Leslie Swichkow
Marsha McMurrain
Marla Ramaglia
And a shout out to: Wendy Bearman
RoseAnn Gerson
Leslie Swichkow
and
Kathleen Levin
for shopping for and
preparing TBT onegs in
December.
If you would like to
help with an oneg,
please click here to
sign up.
New leaves have
been added to
Temple Beth
“Plan Ahead” An in-depth conversation regarding funeral pre-planning
Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care cordially invites you to join Edward Dressler, Licensed Funeral Director
Sunday, January 10th, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm Whole Foods Market, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta
complimentary dessert and drinks will be available
Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care provides a variety of services to Atlanta’s Jewish community including funeral and burials in Georgia,
coordination of funerals in other states and Israel, purchase of cemetery plots and grave markers, and non-traditional requests.
Death is not an easy topic to discuss, yet many families find it more manageable to deal with the death of a loved one when a family member or
friend has pre-planned all of the arrangements. Funeral pre-planning alleviates emotional decisions and financial stress at time of death.
Funeral pre-planning is responsible, safe, and easy to complete. Anyone can pre-plan and pre-pay for him- or herself, or for a loved one, in one
lump sum or over time. When pre-paying, funeral home service fees, casket, vault and headstone prices become fixed, and are placed in an escrow
account owned by the purchaser (not owned by the funeral home). Pre-paid funeral costs are released to the funeral home upon death.
Attend our complimentary pre-planning seminars and learn about:
♦Planning a funeral ♦Cemetery options ♦Fixing costs and how pre-payment works
♦Out-of-town funeral planning ♦Traditional and non-traditional options
Helen Scherrer-Diamond is Community Outreach Director for Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care. She helps individuals understand the importance of
funeral and cemetery pre-planning, offers continuing education for LMSWs, LPNs, and Chaplains, and Jewish Funeral Traditions education. Please rsvp to Helen at 770-289-8964 or [email protected]