March/April/May 2016 Rabbi Kevin Hale, Sofer STaM to Visit ... · A Sofer, Sopher, Sofer SeTaM, STaM or Sofer ST”M (Heb: “scribe”) is a Jewish scribe who can transcribe Torah

A Sofer, Sopher, Sofer SeTaM, STaM or Sofer ST”M (Heb: “scribe”) is a Jewish

scribe who can transcribe Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot, and other religious

writings. (ST”M is an abbreviation for Sefer Torahs, Tefillin, and Mezuzot. The

plural of sofer is “soferim”.) (Wikipedia)

Kehillah

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what’s inside

Rabbi’s Corner 2

Volunteer Spotlight 3

Preschool 4

Religious School 5

B’Yachad 6

B’nei Mitzvah 7

Social Action 8

Adult Education 9

What’s Happening 10

Board Corner 11

Community 12

Donations 13

Todah Rabah 13

Services 14

Lifecycle 14-15

kehillah newsMarch/April/May 2016

Rabbi Kevin Hale, Sofer STaM to Visit Kehillah Synagogue March 4-6

Sofer and Rabbi Kevin Hale will visit Kehillah again to review, repair, and clean our scrolls, replace the etz on one scroll, and provide education to our Religious School students and adults.

Rabbi Hale is a protege of one of the pre-eminent Sofers of the 20th century, Dr. Rabbi Eric Ray, z”l. Rabbi Hale is an ordained Rabbi, having studied at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and graduating in 1997. In 2001, following several years of congregational work and experience, he began apprenticing with Rabbi Eric Ray to become a sofer STaM. Throughout his rabbinate Rabbi Hale has remained committed to his interest in hands-on-Judaism. We are grateful to an anonymous donor for a contribution made to the Torah Fund, which covers the cost for our sacred scrolls to be so lovingly repaired.

Sunday morning, March 6, Rabbi Hale will teach at our Religious School. Adult members of the congregation are welcome to join the 7th grade class from 10:30-11 a.m. We look forward to his wonderful teaching and sharing the beauty of scribal arts.

Kehillah SynagogueCommunity Seder Saturday, April 23

5:15 p.m.

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rabbi’s corner

Before you read this article, pause and think of a time when you were speechless. Do you remember when there was a thought or feeling you were afraid to express, a question you didn’t have the courage to ask, or when someone told you to say no more?

There is tremendous power in language. Through language we define, express and protect ourselves. We actualize our thoughts and connect with others. When denied

our own speech, we may feel trapped, isolated from others, or alienated from our selves.

On a communal level, language transmits cultural memory and binds people in a shared history. The ability of a community to tell its story is a mark of its freedom. Masters do not allow slaves to freely proclaim their own history.

With this awareness, the tradition interprets the word Pesach in a new light. We divide the word into two syllables and spell it slightly differently: peh and sach. Peh means mouth and sach refers to speech. At the Seder, our mouths open and speech flows freely. The more we expound on the story of the Exodus, the greater we are to be praised.

One of the primary goals of the Seder, then, is to revel in our freedom, to get people talking, to engage in telling and re-telling our sacred story. To this end, please check out the Passover Resources section of our yearly Preparing for Passover e-mail. There you’ll find resources to enliven your Passover Seder for both young and old and get people talking. As our Sages taught, “the one who expands on the telling of the story, behold they are to be praised!”

qwertyuio Spring into Sprituality

Saturday, April 9, 3 p.m.

Rabbi Jen and a naturalist from Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) team up for a Shabbat hike. We will

meet at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve to rejoice in spring’s many blossoms and connect to the Source of All

through the beauty of nature.

The hike will be led by Bo Howes, Director of Conservation and Stewardship at TLC. He is a knowledgeable birder,

naturalist, and conservationist--and will lead a very FAMILY FRIENDLY hike!

Details to follow in weekly announcements.

qwertyuio

Kehillah Synagogue Community Seder Saturday, April 23

5:15 p.m

Please join us as Rabbi Jen leads the annual Kehillah Synagogue community seder April 23. Attendees will share in reading the Hagaddah, join together to sing Dayenu, the Four Questions, and other Passover favorites.

Morah Sherri and the children in attendance will engage in retelling the Passover story-- how Moses convinced Pharaoh to let the Jewish people go, with some divine help in the form of ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.

See the form on the last page of this newsletter for more information and to make your reservations. Please remember space is limited.

SAVE THE DATEAnnual Congregational MeetingJoin fellow Kehillah Synagogue members Sunday, May 15 at 10 a.m. in Chapel Emanu-El as we recap the year, approve the budget for 2016-17, and install new board members and officers. Light refreshments will be served.

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membership

Volunteer Spotlight: Rafy and Sue Orenstein

Rafy and Sue have lived in Chapel Hill longer than any other place, so why not call it home? They love their sons Elliot, a junior at UNC, and Sam, a senior at Chapel Hill High. If it were not for Stella their dog, they probably would not be able to cope with being empty nesters next year. When not working as a physiatrist and psychologist respectively, they enjoy hikes, movies, and dinner and outings with friends. They admit they should practice piano more often!

Spotlight on Support Circles

Rafy and Sue Orenstein have been volunteering through Kehillah Synagogue Social Action in an IFC-sponsored Support Circle. Below are Rafy’s thoughts on the experience thus far:

Sue is always trying to get me to do good things. She is the one who reminds me to call my mother and I am always glad when I do. When she told me we were going to training that would take up a whole Saturday, to join a program that would last for a year, I was dubious. What were we getting ourselves into?

At the training, sponsored by the Interfaith Council (IFC), we learned about the Support Circle program. The idea behind Support Circles is that, for one year, a group of 5 or 6 couples/families (the Circle) helps a family (the Partner) emerging from homelessness and establish themselves in the community. At the training, we were presented with background statistics about homelessness, trained to understand social and psychological factors in this population, and given information regarding the structure of the program. We broke into groups to discuss scenarios that might arise with our Partner family. It felt like we learned something and were able to meet and schmooze with other do-gooder families from the area. Not bad so far!

Since we were the only couple from Kehillah Synagogue, the IFC paired us up with a group from Saint Thomas More, the Catholic Church on Highway 15-501. We met once a month at each other’s homes. The staff social worker came to some of our meetings to facilitate discussions and conduct fun ice breaker games (“If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?” – I chose Aquaman as I have always wanted to scuba dive, but have been fearful). After a few monthly meetings and bonding sessions, we were ready to receive our partner family.

The Support Circle establishes a covenant of mutually agreed upon goals with the Partner family. The Circle supports the Partner family like friends and family would, celebrating events together and helping out when necessary. Although individuals from the Circle can meet with the partners, no decisions or interventions of consequence can occur until the whole Support Circle has discussed them and there is consensus. There is a weekly-rotating point person from the Circle who checks in with the Partner at least once per week. Support Circle members are encouraged to use their particular knowledge and skills to help support the Partner family in its transition.

In our case, a middle-aged woman and her grandson were able to leave IFC’s Project Home Start and, with our help, move into an apartment and obtain furniture through The Furniture Project, a local charitable organization. We’ve met at Umstead Park for a picnic, taken the 11-year old boy to the Museum of

Life and Science a couple of times, had an outing to the library and public tennis courts, and gone to see his Elementary School Talent Show (he performed I said a hip, hop, Hippie to the hippie, The hip, hip a hop, and you don’t stop...he really had the crowd going, although the acoustics were not ideal).

The Grandmother developed bronchitis but her health insurance had lapsed, so the Support Circle used its resources (two doctors and, more importantly, a nurse) to navigate the health care system to get her back on track. The Support Circle continues to meet without the Partner to talk about issues that have arisen and brainstorm ways to further offer our assistance.

What has delighted me about performing this Mitzvah is it has given Sue and me a chance to set aside time for socializing, not just with the St. Thomas More crowd and our Partner Family, but with each other. This organization provides good preparation and a framework that lays the groundwork for success. The structure of Support Circles really works because, with five other couples sharing the experience, helping the Partner Family is manageable, both from time and emotional commitment standpoints.

I am glad Sue dragged me along to do this Mitzvah. I suggest she do the same for you and your family!

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education

Kehillah Jewish Preschool

Wild Winter at KJPWe had our first snow of winter and children came in talking about the fun they had playing outside with their families. In classrooms, we have been learning about winter weather, hibernation, and ice. It has been fun watching the students’ looks of amazement when they witness ice changing form. Kitah Lev students had a fun time figuring out how to break the ice when it was in a big chunk. They created a graph about who had made a snowman before. These are great examples of problem-solving skills and early math experiences. Kitah Osher children enjoyed driving their cars in the “snow.” Kitah Tikvah students enjoyed making polar bears and penguins and learning about arctic animals.

The children had a wonderful time at the Chanukah celebration. They enjoyed lighting candles and singing songs. They had latkes and applesauce with their lunch. The preschool was closed Tu B’Shevat because of the snow. This led to some great discussions the next day about how we can take care of our trees in the winter months.

The new classroom, Kitah Chaverim, is now open and children are adjusting beautifully. We now have four classrooms and the atmosphere walking down the hall is spectacular. There are sounds of children and teachers playing and learning together. Thank you to everyone who helped with this project and thank you to the teachers and families for their patience while we renovated and prepared the new space.

We look forward to spring and spending more time outdoors. Please join us for the Purim parade Thursday, March 24 from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.

Top: Chanukah celebration

Middle left: Driving cars in

the snow

Middle right: Mixing colors

Left: Yoga with Ms. Darcy

KJPFUN!

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education

Kehillah Synagogue Religious School

Tu B’Shevat marks the beginning of spring in Israel. This year in Chapel Hill we had to postpone our celebration due to the ice storm. So much for spring! We celebrated Tu B’Shevat a week late with a station based program. Our talented Madrichim developed the program and led the day. We started with an original play about various Tu B’Shevat facts. Students rotated through stations: parsley planting, tree leaf identification, scavenger hunt, Jewpardy, climate change discussion, and the Western Wall. Students created posters at the Western Wall that are on display on the bulletin board in the stairwell leading from the sanctuary to the Ed Wing. Their brainstorming efforts from the climate change discussion are posted as well. Tu B’Shevat is often celebrated by eating a variety of fruits. Thanks to our parent hosts we had yummy fruit kabobs for snack.

The remainder of our school year will be filled with learning and festivities around two of our favorite holidays: Purim and Passover. Kitah Hey (5th grade) are hard at work on their contribution to the annual Purim Shpiel. Kitah Vav

(6th grade) and Kitah Zayin (7th grade) are busily planning a fun filled Purim Carnival. The carnival will be held in the Sanctuary March 20 at 10:30 a.m. Please come and enjoy the fun. For Passover, all students will be prepared to take part in their families seders by reciting the four questions or helping to lead discussions. We are sure our students will have their extended families kvelling as everyone joins together in retelling the Passover story.

Family programs continue in upcoming months with Kitah Bet (2nd Grade) and parents coming together Sunday, March 6 to make siddur covers. Students will receive their very own siddur during Friday night services Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m. Kitah Hey (5th grade) and their parents will explore the important Purim mitzvah of giving gifts by assembling our Shalach Manot bags Sunday, March 13. Kitah Gimel (3rd grade) and their parents will learn about hiddur mitzvah, beautifying a mitzvah, on Sunday, April 3. They will decorate an ordinary wine glass and make it into a Kiddush, Elijah’s or Miriam’s cup which will become a family heirloom! Kitah Dalet has been learning about the

mitzvah of bikkur cholim, caring for the sick. On Sunday, April 10 families will make no-sew blankets to be donated to Project Linus, an organization that provides blankets for children in hospitals.

We will end the year with a closing day program Sunday, May 1 at 11:30 a.m. We will celebrate another year of learning, thank our amazing teachers and enjoy a delicious potluck lunch. Hope to see you there!

Left: Kehillah Religious School students figuring out clues during a Tu B’Shevat scavenger hunt. Right: Decorating pots during Tu B’Shevat to plant parsley for Passover.

Save the Date!

May 1, 2015 11 a.m.

Religious SchoolClosing Programand Potluck

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B’Yachad

Kehillah Yard Sale a Success

It truly takes a village to have a successful yard sale. Thank you to everyone who donated gently used goods. We turned them into treasures and cleared $1,892 to date. We have a few more items for sale on E-bay. Proceeds will support a variety of programs for both our schools.

Todah rabah to all who helped with schlepping, sorting, pricing, selling and cleaning up:

Jen Weinberg-Wolf, Claire Farel, Jason Zengerle, Joanne Band, Michele Zembow,Heidi Steinberger, Rena Dadolf, Michele Cubell, Adam Lowe, Pam Jagger, Barrie Harper, Nancy Curtis, Judy Barrett, Diana Braunstein, Ryan Madanick, Josh Parshall, Jessica Lee, Cori Boyle, Naomi Blum, Rick and Kristin Hartgrove, Kate Artin, Gerry Cohn, Benson Hoffman, Jennifer Schwartz, Jennie Patteson, Anna McCullough, Erika Linnander, Lisa Susswein, Anna Katz, Sarah Weiss, Maddie Engle, Asa and Sadie Hoffman.

B’Yachad

B’Yachad welcomed two new families when we met Sunday, January 10. It was wonderful to see our group grow in size and form new friendships.

Children came dressed in their “jammies” and brought their favorite “lovey” with them. We shared bedtime rituals and learned how the Sh’ma can be part of nighttime routines. The children sang the Sh’ma to their stuffed animals as they pretended to tuck them into bed. Everyone was very proud of the Sh’ma wall hanging they made for their bedrooms. The cuteness factor was quite high during our time together.

B’Yachad will meet March 13 for the final session of the school year. We will learn about Passover and enjoy the popular book, The Five Little Gefiltes.

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b’nei mitzvah

Jackson Engle

My name is Jackson Engle. I’m a 7th grader at Culbreth Middle School, where I play football and run track. Outside of school, I compete in bike racing and like to ski and am obsessed with all things football. I’ve been getting ready for my Bar Mitzvah, which will take place May 14. My Torah portion is Parshat Kedoshim which lays out lots of rules and laws about how people should behave, some we still live by today, and some are out of date.

I’ve been working with Eric Feld as my Bar Mitzvah tutor, and I appreciate the encouragement he’s been giving me. I feel like I’ve come a long way, especially in my pronunciation of Hebrew! I also want to thank Rabbi Jen and all the teachers I have had at the Kehillah Synagogue Religious School.

Please join us as our sonJackson

is called to the Torah as a Bar MitzvahSaturday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Michelle & Bryan Engle

Asa Hoffman

My name is Asa Hoffman. I’m a 7th grader at Smith Middle School. I enjoy sports, hanging out with friends, playing computer games, art, and reading. I love all animals, especially small ones. We have three goldfish, a dog and two cats.

I went to the Lerner Jewish Day School from preschool to 3rd grade, and then Carrboro Elementary. I’ve been at the Kehillah Synagogue Religious School since 4th grade. For the last few months I’ve been studying for my Bar Mitzvah which will be May 21, 2016. My Parsha is Emor which discusses, among other things, the Jews who were responsible for carrying parts of the Mishkan, the temporary sanctuary used during Jews’ journey in the desert.

For my mitzvah project, my sister and I are volunteering with the homeless shelter by supplying various items.

I want to thank my family, especially my mom and dad, for helping me figure out my mitzvah project and volunteering with me. I’d also like to thank Rabbi Jen for helping me learn my Parsha, especially with the limited amount of time we have had, and Chelsea Schein for helping me learn my haftarah.

Sadie Hoffman

My name is Sadie Hoffman. I’m in 9th grade at the Hawbridge School (not the Hogwarts School). I lease a pony, Dan, and read and write and draw. I love all animals, especially horses and goldfish. We have three goldfish, two cats, and a dog. I went to the Lerner Jewish Community Day School from kindergarten-5th grade, and I’ve been at the Kehillah Synagogue Religious School since 6th grade. For the last few months I’ve been studying for my Bat Mitzvah. My Parsha is Emor, which goes over holidays and the laws of being a priest. For my mitzvah project, my brother and I have been collecting food and everyday supplies to bring to a homeless shelter. If you think about what you use every day - toothbrush, underwear (hopefully), food, deodorant--they don’t have any of that. So that’s what we’re trying to get. I want to thank my family, especially my mom and dad, for helping Asa and me figure out our mitzvah project. I’d also like to thank Chelsea Schein for helping me learn my haftarah, and Rabbi Jen for helping me figure out my D’Var Torah and making it so interesting for me.

Please join us as our childrenSadie and Asa

are called to the Torah as B’nei MitzvahSaturday, May 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Jenny & Benson Hoffman

8

social action

Support IFC’s FoodFirst Initiative

Since 1963 the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services has worked to alleviate hunger in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Community. Over the last five years it has distributed over 100,000 bags of groceries from its Food Pantry and served close to half a million meals through its Community Kitchen. The IFC is now focused on bringing to fruition the final phase of a comprehensive long-range plan to improve the effectiveness of its programs and services. This effort, called FoodFirst, would combine all of the IFC’s food related services, both the Food Pantry and the Community Kitchen, along with community resource services, in one attractive and functional new building. Replacement of the current IFC building at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro is one known viable location, although other locations are being considered.

Some Carrboro merchants do not want a soup kitchen in Carrboro, citing concerns of increased crime and vagrancy as well as a feeling that a soup kitchen is not appropriate in that location. The Carrboro Board of Aldermen have made it clear that hearts and minds must be changed on this issue before FoodFirst can be approved. The Kehillah actively supports the IFC and needs your help to build the necessary broad community support for FoodFirst.

The IFC is working to eliminate misperceptions and fears about their client base. Here are the facts:

(1) A soup kitchen is essential for our community. U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that over 17% of Chapel Hill/Carrboro residents live in poverty. The Feeding America 2014 Hunger Report tells us that 15.6% of Orange County households are not only poor, but hungry. The situation now facing our community is particularly dire because the current Community Kitchen, in downtown Chapel Hill, is located in a building loaned by the Town. Unfortunately, the Town soon needs their building back for other purposes.

(2) Loitering concerns are overblown because most Community Kitchen clients have both homes and jobs. Many are families with young children. All shelter residents eat their meals at the

shelters. Very few Community Kitchen clients can be classified as chronically homeless.

(3) Most soup kitchen clients are law abiding. Soup kitchens do not generally have a higher number of public incidents or police reports than do bars or restaurants. Clients have problems because of poverty, not because they are criminals.

(4) In a recent Community Empowerment Fund survey of panhandlers on Franklin Street, 100% of those surveyed said they will continue to panhandle in Chapel Hill, regardless of the location of the soup kitchen. Over half of them do not even eat at the current Community Kitchen, despite its proximity to Franklin Street. It would seem that panhandling is far more dependent upon the opportunities presented by the amount and type of foot traffic on a street and not by the proximity of a soup kitchen.

(5) Adding a soup kitchen to the downtown Carrboro site would result in about 70 additional person-visits to the building over the course of a day. This should pose no traffic problem.

(6) The IFC has owned its Carrboro building since 2003 and has been serving the Community through its Food Pantry at that location even longer. Over the years, numerous businesses, both non-profit and for-profit, have rented space from the IFC. They and many other businesses have operated successfully alongside the pantry operation during those many years

(7) Far from being an inappropriate spot for a soup kitchen, downtown Carrboro is an excellent location due to its proximity to both public transportation and many major IFC client populations. 70% of IFC clients will rely on public transportation or walking to reach FoodFirst. Downtown Carrboro is within a mile of several affordable housing projects.

(8) Since all IFC homeless shelters and clinic facilities are located in Chapel Hill, it seems fair and reasonable that Carrboro should house FoodFirst.

The proposed FoodFirst building would improve Carrboro’s downtown ambiance and fits well with Carrboro’s vision of inclusiveness and non-discrimination, as stated in the town’s long range development plan, “Carrboro Vision 2020”. Please let elected officials and the businesses that you patronize know that you support FoodFirst. Regardless of your local address, show your support by writing letters, spreading the word to others, and attending the March 22 Town of Carrboro Public Hearing on this issue.

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adult education

*Get Inspired!

What if something small and relatively painless could change the way you wake up and go to sleep, the way you eat and drive and schmooze and think, the way you relate to your most annoying co-worker and your best friend, the way you see the world?

We’re willing to bet if you experiment with one age-old/completely-new Jewish spiritual practice each month, it might actually change your life. Whether you’re a rookie or an old Jewish pro, we’ll help you find something that’s just uncomfortable enough. You in?

Having ideals is often easier than living them. How can Jewish wisdom help us to live lives that reflect our deeply held values?

Join us April 5 at 7 p.m. at the home of Sue & Mark Blaustein as Morah Sherri leads our third Get Inspired Series: Being Judgmental. Please R.S.V.P. to [email protected] by March 29. The hosts’ address will be emailed to you when you respond.

Save the Date:

May 24: Do You Feel What I Feel? Empathy and Apathy, led by Rabbi Jen

Invitations by Designinvitations • kippot • programs

susan zenn by appointment

919.819.4380 • [email protected] available from kehillah members

Wendy TansonCRS, ABR, ASP, SRES

What People are Saying:“You are an outstanding realtor; certainly the best we have ever met. It is so hard to find someone who is as on-the-ball, hard-working, knowledgeable, professional, and full of integrity as you are. Working with you has been an absolute pleasure.”                          J.  Lazinsk,  Chapel  Hill

[email protected]

View area listings at:www.wendytanson.com

Reel Israel: Final Film of the Season Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. we conclude this year’s Reel Israel film series with a showing of The Decent One. This movie is being shown on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Below is a brief summary of the film:

A recently discovered cache of hundreds of personal letters, diaries and photos belonging to the Nazi Gestapo chief seems to reveal a thoughtful, loving husband and devoted father to his daughter. The documents first found in the Himmler family house in 1945 were hidden in Tel Aviv for decades and sold to the father of the Israeli documentary filmmaker, Vanessa Lapa. Through readings of Himmler’s and his family’s most personal writings and rarely seen restored film footage from key German archives, Lapa has fashioned a fascinating case study: a portrait of the man responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the Second World War, who thought of himself in heroic terms.

This film series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Duke University and the Israeli Documentary Filmmakers Forum and is made possible through generous donations by Kehillah Synagogue members David & Adele Roth and Stan & Marion Robboy.

Tickets may be bought at the door for $10. If you previously purchased a series pass, this film is included in your pass. For more information, please contact Sherri Morris at [email protected].

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what’s happening?

Library Picks from Rabbi Jen

Thanks to early efforts of Renee Luberoff and Sunny Marlow, and ongoing work by Karen Betman and Anne Kotch, our library is beautifully reorganized and brimming with great reads. Come check out (literally!) some of our new acquisitions and more:

My Promised Land, by Ari Shavit

A NY Times Bestseller and National Jewish Book Award Winner. Drawing on historical documents, interviews and private diaries and letters, as well as his own family story, My Promised Land is a riveting narrative that is larger than the sum of its parts: both personal and of profound historical dimension. “One of the most nuanced and challenging books written on Israel in years.” (Wall Street Journal)

Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey between Genders, by Joy Landin

National Jewish Book Award Finalist, Krauss Family Award for Memoir. “Not only a memoir of transgender experience, this is also a story of family heartbreak and family love, of growth as a teacher and writer; and not least, of a self deeply connected to God and Judaism throughout a life lived across genders. “ – Rabbi Jill Hammer

The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race and American Identities, by Eric L. Goldstein

Finalist in the American Jewish Book Award. The Price of Whiteness documents the uneasy place Jews have held in America’s racial culture from the late nineteenth century through World War II. Goldstein demonstrates how the process of identifying as white Americans was an ambivalent one: filled with hard choices and conflicting emotions for Jewish immigrants and their children.

Purim at Kehillah SynagoguePurim is a fun-filled holiday, especially at Kehillah Synagogue! Join us in the Sanctuary for two festive events:

Purim Shpiel, Sunday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. Join us as our Kehillah Shpielers present a hilarious, song-filled romp in the spirit of the holiday. As part of this annual joyous event, Religious School 5th graders take the stage for their own song.

Megillah Reading & Scotch TastingWednesday, March 23, 6p.m. Come for a family-friendly reading and stay for the costume parade and scotch tasting. There are prizes for Best Family Costume and Best Teen Costume. No costume? No worries, Rabbi Jen will give you a funny hat!

Shalach Manot Reminder

Purim is a festive time of the year. How better to celebrate than to send and enjoy Shalach Manot (Purim goodies).

These delicious themed bags, filled with traditional hamantashen and other treats, are traditionally sent from

one to another on Purim.

The deadline to order is March 16.

Kehillah SolarbrationMarch 13, 11 a.m. – noon, Kehillah Courtyard

Join us to celebrate completion and operation of our solar power system and the start of the spring and summer power season. Thanks to the many congregants who donated money that made this all possible.

Enjoy bagels and other goodies, while learning about how our system works and how much power it has been generating. The Solarize Triangle team will be there to discuss how you can deploy solar power generation for your home through this community program.

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co-presidents’ column

Kehillah Synagogue Board Roster 2015-2016OfficersCo-President Gerry Cohn (336) 260-6553 [email protected] Stan Robboy (919) 968-9773 [email protected]. VP David Luks (919) 767-3764 [email protected] Administration Ruth Katz (919) 545-9567 [email protected] VP of Education Mina Silberberg (919) 544-4375 [email protected] Andy Werden (919) 933-3502 [email protected] Amy Entwistle (919) 933-0511 [email protected] President Josh Ravitch (919) 624-7599 [email protected]

Directors Elizabeth Singer (919) 929-7580 [email protected] Josh Dadolf (919) 960-3608 [email protected]

Youth Member Micah Segal-Miller (919) 960-0409 [email protected] Susan Zenn (919) 237-3297 [email protected]

Kehillah StaffRabbi Jennifer Feldman (919) 942-5915 [email protected] Director Anne Maner (919) 338-2696 [email protected] Stephanie Stuchiner (919) 942-8914 [email protected] School Director Sherri Morris (919) 942-5817 [email protected] Director Anna Hartgrove (919) 942-0233 [email protected]

At a recent screening of the 2016 REEL Israel Documentary Film Festival, a member from the audience and I entered into a provocative conversation about why people join shuls, especially those who choose not to pray. We discussed what it is that attracts people to a religious organization like ours.

For many people, the synagogue is where they come to pray. They can pray openly and feel secure, regardless of why they wish to pray. And our congregants know they can feel perfectly comfortable questioning whatever it is about religion they wish to question. For some, prayer is a moment when we stop and think about the miracles around us all the time. The sun comes up in the morning and makes us feel good. This is the same feeling some of us feel when we walk out in the peacefulness in the forest, or the “high” when bicycling around Chapel Hill... It allows us to stop and think about what good could happen this new day. For some, praying is the solace of an individual’s good inner feeling, while others find enjoyment as we pray together as a community, feeling the spirituality of the group.

To many, the synagogue, and why people join, is embodied within the name of our community, Kehillah. Kehillah, defined most simply, is a community, a group of people who come together with shared purpose and in fellowship. It is a place where we offer and get support, share joy and sorrow. It is where we learn and grow together, and explore the wisdom of our ancestors.

The REEL Israel Film Festival offers a perfect example of what a Kehillah is. Each film explores differing aspects of current Israeli society, helps us to share and discover who we are in relation to our past and contemporary cultures and beliefs.

Kehillah Synagogue lets people practice in areas that make them feel good. For example, we strive to practice our Jewish values of Gemilut Chasadim (Mutual Care), Derech Eretz (Respect), Hishtatfut (Engagement), Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) and Tzedakah (Righteousness, Charity) by working with charities and other communal affairs. On March 13, we will have a “Solarbration”, a low-key celebration of the now completed Solarize Kehillah success. Since December 15, when Kehillah Synagogue’s solar panels went online, we have conserved impressive amounts of fossil fuels that will no longer need to be burned since our energy needs come largely from the sun. Another current project is the “Inter-faith Habitat for Humanity Build”, which kicked off February 21 with seven Kehillah Synagogue members signed up for the morning building session, and two more members who have volunteered thereafter. A special Kehillah Synagogue build shift is planned for April 10, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Please join.

Community, prayer, friendship, social action and jewish culture are among the many reasons our members join and engage in our Kehillah.

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community

• Resident of Chapel Hill/Durham since 1973

• Graduate Realtors Institute

• Member of Beth-El Congregation

• Member of the Chapel Hill Kehillah

• Life Member of Hadassah

• Served on NC Hillel Board of Directors

• Board of Directors Durham/Chapel Hill Federation

Over 32 years as a full-time real estate broker serving the Triangle Area, including

Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Orange and Chatham County.

Ellen Singer

“In Tune With Your Real Estate Needs”

REALTOR®, Broker, CRS, GRI

919-608-5510

[email protected]

Yom Hashoah Commemoration

Kehillah Synagogue is a co-sponsor of the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish community’s Yom Hashoah commemoration to be held on Sunday, May 1, at 3:30 p.m., at Judea Reform. Midrasha students, the Triangle Jewish Chorale, and other members of the local Jewish community will participate.

The featured speaker will be Hank Brodt from High Point, NC. Hank was born in 1925 in Borislav, Poland. Between 1943 and 1945, he survived five Nazi camps, including Plaszow, Mauthausen, and Ebensee. At the end of the war, Brodt took part in a forced death march for three days and nights without food or water. He was liberated May 6, 1945, by troops of the US 80th Infantry Division.

In 1949, Brodt immigrated to the United States with the help of a GI who had befriended him and sent him the necessary paperwork. In 1950, Brodt was drafted into the US Army and stationed, ironically, in Germany. There, in 1952, he married his first wife, who died in 1978. Brodt remained single for more than two decades before marrying his present wife, Aida, in 2000.

In 1946 and 1967, Brodt testified in Germany at trials of the war criminal Philipp Mensinger, whom Brodt encountered at a slave labor camp near Borislav. The second trial ended with Mensinger being found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Brodt is committed to speaking about his Holocaust experiences to keep alive the memory of the Shoah. In addition, Brodt has participated repeatedly in the “March of the Living,” an annual educational program through which students worldwide make pilgrimage visits to Auschwitz.

Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend this very special event.

13

donations/todah rabah

Todah Rabah to…Kathy Soule for keeping the kitchenette organized

Ava Nackman for coordinating the Habitat for Humanity Build

Lois Bronstein and Sue Blaustein for proofing the January/February newsletter

Jackson Engle & Anna Katz for setting up the 2nd grade potluck dinner

Jay Greenberg, Louise Goldstein, Joe Gaiteri & Elysa Corin, Ashley Feld, Perry & Janet Zevin, Rebekah Layton, Lois Bronstein & Howard Glicksman for organizing Rabbi Jen’s 13th year celebration

Jared Kirkpatrick & Molly Chmura for making the video shown at Rabbi Jen’s 13th year celebration

Donations December 1, 2015 - January 31, 2016

Cemetery Fund

Bill & Esta Thomas in memory of Bella Berg

Camp JRF Scholarship

Lew Margolis & Linda FrankelHoward Glicksman & Lois BronsteinJay GreenbergRuth KatzJill MadsenBetty LandmanGreg & Bryna RappJoel Slutsky & Sheila TayroseJohn & Donna Van ArnoldPerry & Janet ZevinBarry & Irene Zipper

General Donations

Jason Casden & Jodi Berkowitz in honor of Sidney Max Casden

Louise Goldstein & Amy Plesser in memory of Charlotte Goldstein

Lee & Elaine Marcus

Andy Sachs & Katherine Murphy in memory of Raymond Murphy

Blair & Rebekah Pollock

Joel Rosch & Carol Vatz in memory of Alice Lepie

Marty & Angela Rosenberg

George & Rose Rubinstein

David & Carol Sclove in memory of Esther Fernbach

Julia Lentz in honor of Stan Robby’s birthday

Kehillah Synagogue College Scholarship

Gerry Cohn in honor of Ari Kauftheil’s Bar Mitzvah

Lew Margolis & Linda Frankel in honor of Ari Kauftheil’s Bar Mitzvah

David & Adele Roth in honor of Ari Kauftheil’s Bar Mitzvah

Neal Wolgin & Elizabeth Singer in honor of Ari Kauftheil’s Bar Mitzvah

Neal Wolgin & Elizabeth Singer in honor of Sivan Ornstein-Luk’s Bat Mitzvah

Neal Wolgin & Elizabeth Singer in honor of Maggie Kaye’s birthday

Mazal Tov to

Sarah Siegel & David Schatten, and their son Ari

on the birth of

Miriam Adena SchattenBorn January 11, 2016

Rabbi’s Discretionary FundNeil Alexis & Catherine Belitsky

Sara Ephross in memory of Joan Saltman

Lew Margolis & Linda Frankel in honor of Carol Sclove

Val Glaser

Renee Luberoff in memory of Ben Luberoff

Lee & Ava Nackman

Warren & Susan Silbovitz in honor of Rabbi Jen

Paula Zellmer in honor of Susan Silbovitz’s birthday

Paula Zellmer in memory of Judith Breger

Kehillah Jewish PreschoolAndy Hart & Judy Panitch in honor of Rabbi Jen

Andy Hart & Judy Panitch in honor of Chelsea Schein

Lipman Scholar in ResidenceLew Margolis & Linda Frankel

Jonathan & Anne Kotch in memory of Sylvia Kotch

FacilitiesDebra & Barry BernsteinJohn & Donna Van Arnold

Sherri Morris, Susan & Warren Silbovitz, Lois Bronstein & Howard Glicksman for decorating the sanctuary for Rabbi Jen’s 13th year celebration

Lisa Susswein and Lisa Zerden for organizing the KJP Diaper Drive that benefited the NC Diaper Bank. The drive was a huge success and we were able to donate 1200 diapers and 15 packages of wipes

Ruth Katz, Perry Zevin, Mark Blaustein, Kathy Soule, Josh Ravitch, and Nancy Curtis for assembling the January/February Kehillah newsletter

Diane Wright for coordinating Shabbat morning services in December

Kristen Hartgrove for organizing and labeling the KJP library

Anne & Jonathan Kotch for transporting books to Beth David Synagogue for their annual book sale

Sue Blaustein, Hannah Chase, and Ava Nackman for Kehillah Synagogue Caring Community outreach activities

Mark Blaustein, Henry Fuchs, Elizabeth Singer, and Diane Wright for leading shabbat services

14

services/life cycle

Date Oneg/Kiddush Hosts Fri., Mar. 4 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. OpenSat., Mar. 5 Shabbat Morning Service, 9:45 a.m. Open Fri., Mar. 11 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Barbara & Ron King Sat., Mar. 12 Shabbat Shirah, 9:45 a.m. Sponsored 6th Grade Class Program Tot Shabbat, 11:15 a.m.Fri., Mar. 18 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Open Sat., Mar. 19 Shabbat Morning Service, 9:45 a.m. OpenFri., Mar. 25 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Open Sat., Mar. 26 Shabbat Morning Service, 9:45 a.m. OpenFri., Apr. 1 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Sheila Tayrose & Joel Slutsky Sat., Apr. 2 Shabbat Morning Service, 9:45 a.m. OpenFri., Apr. 8 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Open Sat., Apr. 9 Shabbat Morning Service, 9:45 a.m. Open Fri., Apr. 15 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Nancy Curtis & Laura Delbridge Sat., Apr. 16 Shabbat Shirah, 9:45 a.m. Sponsored Tot Shabbat, 11:15 a.m. Fri., Apr. 22 NO SERVICES-Erev Passover Sat., Apr. 23 Shabbat Morning and Passover Day 1 Services, 9:45 a.m Open Passover Community Seder, 5:15 p.m.Fri., Apr. 29 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. (Passover) OpenSat., Apr. 30 Shabbat Morning, Passover Day 8 and Yizkor Services, 9:45 a.m. Susan Rakely & Henry FuchsFri., May 6 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. OpenSat., May 7 Shabbat Shirah, 9:45 a.m. Sponsored Tot Shabbat, 11:15 a.m. Fri., May 13 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Open Sat., May 14 Bar Mitzvah of Jackson Engle, 9:30 a.m. Michelle & Bryan EngleFri., May 20 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Open Sat., May 21 B’nei Mitzvah of Asa and Sadie Hoffman, 9:30 a.m. Jenny & Benson HoffmanFri., May 27 Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Janet & Perry Zevin Sat., May 28 Shabbat Morning Service, 9:45 a.m. Open

Member BirthdateGregory Rapp 3/2James Falek 3/3Deborah Fulghieri 3/5Jessica Smith 3/6Sigmund Rivkin-Fish 3/7Bryna Rapp 3/8Lester Levine 3/8Jonathan Fischer 3/11Marion Robboy 3/11Sim Sitkin 3/19Michael Burroughs 3/19Louise Goldstein 3/19Erika Linnander 3/21Jessica Blaustein 3/22

Member BirthdateBeth Rosenberg 3/22Marlene Appley 3/25Dana Lebo 3/26Erica Alexander 3/30Ilona Fuchs 3/31Inna Shapiro 4/2Charlotte Sussman 4/5Paul Jowell 4/6Miriam Berger 4/7Mike Narotsky 4/10Howard Glicksman 4/10Sara Ephross 4/11Carol Vatz 4/13David Roth 4/15Amy Rosenthal 4/17Johanna Gisladottir 4/18Valerie Glaser 4/18Karen Betman 4/19

Member BirthdateKathy Kaufman 4/20Susan Orenstein 4/21Joshua Parshall 4/25Keith Artin 4/27Jonathan Miller 4/27Mina Silberberg 4/28Marianne Meeker 4/28Julie Harris 4/29Hannah Chase 4/30Barry Slobin 5/3Cyril Lance 5/4Aaron Miller 5/5Arlene Goodman 5/5Joanne Band 5/6Craig Poms 5/8Kerry Haynie 5/8Adina Davidson 5/9Peter Birckhead 5/9

Member BirthdateAndrew Nobel 5/9Bernard Goodman 5/12Jeffrey Collins 5/12Sarah Kittner 5/13Pearl Schechter 5/18Miriam Ornstein 5/19Nannette Friedman 5/20Seth Brody 5/21Beth Jakub 5/21Pamela Jagger 5/25Debra Bernstein 5/26Janet Zevin 5/27Mary Ann Freedman 5/28Lilyan Levine 5/30Andrew Hart 5/30

15

life cycle

Yarzeits

Date Deceased Member3/1 21 Adar I Shirley Becker Ellen Singer3/2 22 Adar I Samuel Cohen Lee Nackman3/4 24 Adar I Gertrude Libber Marianne Meeker3/6 26 Adar I Martin Kaplan Diana Braunstein3/6 26 Adar I Henry Zevin Perry Zevin3/8 28 Adar I Esther Slutsky Joel Slutsky3/9 29 Adar I Regina Suess Allen Suess3/11 1 Adar II Priva Koifman Rose Rubinstein3/16 6 Adar II Morton Fuchs Ilona Fuchs3/16 6 Adar II Morton Fuchs Henry Fuchs3/16 6 Adar II Muriel Kirschner Steve Kirschner3/18 8 Adar II Jacob Winter Henry Landsberger3/27 17 Adar II Benjamin Vatz Carol Vatz3/31 21 Adar II Henri Levy Janet Levy3/31 21 Adar II Helene Miller Beth Leiro4/6 27 Adar II Paul Bodzin Wendy Kadens4/12 4 Nisan Murry Simon Debra Bernstein4/12 4 Nisan Harry Tepperman Barbara Tepperman4/14 6 Nisan Albert Milkis Randy Kauftheil4/15 7 Nisan Frances Reiss Barbara King4/15 7 Nisan Nathan Rogoff Leonard Rogoff4/17 9 Nisan Benjamin Silver Steven Schwarcz4/19 11 Nisan Fae Frost Sue Blaustein4/20 12 Nisan Louis Zipper Barry Zipper4/21 13 Nisan Bernard Zembow Michele Zembow4/23 16 Nisan Jerry Curtis Nancy Curtis4/24 16 Nisan Ernst Landsberger Henry Landsberger4/26 18 Nisan Lilian Pachter Kelly Alexander4/26 18 Nisan Arthur Rosenberg Beth Rosenberg4/26 18 Nisan Robert Scheinman Wendy Kadens4/27 19 Nisan Julius Poms Craig Poms4/28 20 Nisan Grace Winter Henry Landsberger5/1 23 Nisan Leonard Greenberg Arthur Greenberg5/2 24 Nisan Marvin Goldman Jessica Smith5/3 25 Nisan Estelle Kolodin Tamar Birckhead5/5 27 Nisan Lester Blatt Julie Blatt5/6 28 Nisan Daniel Alexander Joshua Alexander5/8 30 Nisan Leo Kraft Ruth Pershing5/16 8 Iyar Louis Pachter Kelly Alexander5/19 11 Iyar Charles Schwarcz Steven Schwarcz5/21 13 Iyar Lewis Gumerman Etan Gumerman5/21 13 Iyar Sara Swerdlow Diana Braunstein5/22 14 Iyar Sam Kornblau Sarah Kittner5/23 15 Iyar Bernard Chase Sheldon Chase5/28 20 Iyar Thelma Margolis Lewis Margolis5/29 21 Iyar Dora Kabakoff Shirley Block5/29 21 Iyar Louis Rachanow Barry Bernstein

CONDOLENCES TO...

Andy Sachs & Katherine Murphy on the death of Andy’s beloved mother,

Dorothy Langer SachsJanuary 16

u

Irma Stein and her children, Annabelle, Noah, Susan, and Alan, on the death of her beloved husband and the children’s

beloved father, Manny SteinFebruary 2

Hudson Funeral Home Now Serving Kehillah Synagogue Community

As of December 31, Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home in Durham is closed. After careful consideration of three area funeral homes, it has been decided that Hudson Funeral Home, 211 South Miami Blvd., Durham will be used by Congregation Beth El, Judea Reform and Kehillah Synagogue. Two former Howerton & Bryan funeral directors are employed by Hudson which has a large and modern facility. Mona Crawford, owner of Markham Memorial Gardens knows the Hudson Funeral Home personnel and gives them excellent endorsements. For information please contact Anne Maner, Executive Director, at [email protected].

1200 Mason Farm RoadChapel Hill, NC 27514

Nonprofit

OrganizationU.S.

POSTAGE PAIDChapel Hill, NCPermit No. 366

DATED MATERIALADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Kehillah Synagogue Donation Opportunities

I am delighted to donate $______ in memory/honor of ___________________________________________

to the area specified below. Please send an acknowledgment to:

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

From: __________________________________________________________________________________

✂

£ General Donation £ Kehillah Jewish Preschool £ Kehillah Religious School£ Kehillah Youth Group

£ Torah Fund £ Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund£ Yahrzeit Memorial Plaques ($300)£ Jewish Scholarship Camp Fund

Opportunities to contribute to the Kehillah in Memoriam or Honorarium for Life Cycle Events

Those experiencing life cycle events often ask how they may most appropriately show their appreciation to the Kehillah community for their assistance and support. Friends and relatives may also desire information on suitable ways to commemorate a loved one or honor the special moments in a person’s life. All contributions to the Kehillah are deeply appreciated and are specially noted in this newsletter. Acknowledgment cards are sent to all honorees. No donation is too small; any amount is appreciated. Stock donations are also accepted. All donations are tax deductible. For more information about these funds, please contact the Kehillah office at 919-942-8914.