May 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 5 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah Shavuot Celebration Saturday, May 23 Family Potluck Dairy Dinner followed by a Multi-Generational Shavuot Service 6 pm - Potluck Dairy Dinner 7 pm - Shavuot Service 8 pm - Tikkun Leil Shavuot See page 11 for details Set a Reminder!! Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, May 17th 9:30 am Be Part of the Process RSVP at www.bethtikvah.com under Sign up for Events
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May 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 5 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Shavuot Celebration Saturday, May 23
Family Potluck Dairy Dinner followed by a Multi-Generational Shavuot Service
Both my parents were raised in Savannah, GA and their families belonged to the historic Reform
congregation “Mikveh Israel.” When they were growing up it was not the custom to observe becoming Bar Mitzvah (all the more so, Bat Mitzvah) in the way that we do now. Instead, all of the emphasis was placed on the more-or-less invented life cycle of Confirmation.
When my father, Milton Kassel, was twelve years old, his grandfather Jacob Kassel, on his deathbed, made my father promise to go over to the Orthodox synagogue and “have” his Bar Mitzvah. His grandfather died and less than
ten months later my father observed his becoming Bar Mitzvah at the Orthodox synagogue.
My father has enjoyed telling us the story of working with Cantor Gefen to learn his Torah portion. Believe it or not, my father is mostly tone deaf and the tutoring was a labored process during which Cantor Gefen often threw up his hands in the air, exclaiming NISHT DO GEDACHT – which my father understood as “G-d forbid!”. But when my father would tell the story the Yiddish expression sounded like “nish doggy dot”, of which I could make NO sense. I was certain my father did not remember the phrase correctly.
One night this past April, my father was telling the story to my son Jacob Kassel (named after his great-great grandfather) and my Jacob decided to look up the phrase on “Google Translate.”
And there it was:
NISHT DO GEDACHT!
It shouldn’t happen! G-d forbid!
(Lit., May we be saved from it [sad event])
We’ve come a long way since then – both Reform Judaism and the Kassel family! And now, after years and years of
tutoring other people’s children in preparation for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah service, it’s my turn to be the parent! I so
look forward to celebrating this day with family, friends and the Temple Beth Tikvah community and I like to think that our ancestors will be with us in spirit as well.
We have had some very busy days in March and April at the school.
Our Madrichim were in charge of putting together our Purim celebration. What a
wonderful job they did. Zac Povlot took the lead and organized the Purim Spiel.
Thanks to Zac and all the aides who participated. Lots of students, teachers and
Madrichim came to school dressed in costume. Prizes were awarded for a variety
of categories. We sang songs, had an adloyadah (parade), ate hamentashen and
made a lot of noise. It was a very festive
day at the school.
The 4th grade class went on a field trip to the
Purple Hippo Art Studio. The students
spent the morning drawing and painting
their own versions of the Chagall Windows.
The kids had a great time and came away with some amazing artwork.
We had a celebratory ice cream party for the entire 4th and 5th grades. All the stu-
dents passed their reading tests with flying colors. Great job students, keep up the
good work!
The students had a wonderful experi-
ence on the 29th of March. The children
participated in an interactive Seder.
They spent the morning going to differ-
ent stations and doing a variety of
activities.
The students made charoses, recited
the brachot (prayers) over Passover
foods, sang Passover songs, recited the
4 questions, created Passover projects
and played Passover games. Please ask
your children what they learned and what they can lead as an activity at their family
Seders.
SOJOURN presented a workshop to our 7th grade class. The workshop focused on stereotypes, self worth, self esteem
and tolerance. They also focused on anti-bullying to stand up to bully type situations. This all tied into the current unit
about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. It was so wonderful to see so many parents participating with their children. It
was truly a great experience.
For the past several years we have brought in Devorah Lowenstein from The Atlanta Educators. She has led 4 training
sessions for our Madrichim. The classes range in topics and have included: Working with Special Needs Students, Cur-
riculum Supplements and Basic Skills. The training sessions have been wonderful and the students have walked away
from the classes with some great information.
Were are looking forward to the end of April when we will hold our annual Yom Hashoah(Holocaust Remembrance
Day), Yom Hazikaron(Israel Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut(Israel Independence Day) assemblies.
Shalom,
Hassia Levin
Religious School
6
Youth Group
HOTTY (9-12th Grade)
In April, 38 HOTTYites headed to Charlotte, NC for the last Kallah of the year, Spring Kallah. We had a blast! We also had our Screen on the Green event and
elections.
Congratulations to our 2015-2016 HOTTY Board:
President– Emily Restler
Programming VP– Daniel Marks
Religious & Cultural VP– Drew Baker
Social Action VP– Robby Scott
Membership VP– Maddie Schwartz
We are SO PROUD of everyone who ran for a position. We’re lucky to have so
many awesome HOTTYites who want to be leaders in our youth group!
Our last HOTTY event for the year is on May 9th. There is a lot happening at this event: We’re installing the new HOTTY Board, sending our Seniors off with some roasting & toasting, and handing out some fun awards. Hope you can join
us.
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)
Check out some pictures from NFTY-SAR Hatikvah Kallah that happened in
March.
Save-the-date for our final JYG event of the year on May 17th. We’re getting ready for summer and having lunch and a pool party at the Strauss house! More details will be coming soon. Hope you can join us. And, 6th graders – you
are all invited to join us for this event.
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 Our last Club 56 scheduled event got rained out so we went to see the movie
“Home” at Aurora Cineplex instead.
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:
Bobbee (303) 981-2356 & Adam (404) 971-4687
Upcoming Events: May 9 – HOTTY Installations, Senior Sendoff & Final Banquet
May 17 – JYG Pool Party
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER???
It’s not too late to attend a Jewish camp in Atlanta this summer! There are sev-eral great options for your kids. Need help figuring out which one is the best for your kid? Ask Adam and Bobbee! We’re happy to help you find the right pro-gram for your child for this summer. Here is a list of Rabbi Greene’s favorite summer camps: http://www.bethtikvah.com/document/rabbi-greenes-favorite-
Happy May! Sisterhood has such great energy and really has ful-
filled a major goal of planning diverse, unique and “eye catching”
events this year! A big THANK YOU goes out to all our committee
women for planning these marvelous programs. Creativity and
commitment to nurturing new Sisterhood bonds has grown so
nicely. Kudos abound to such great Sisterhood leaders!
Knit and Nosh is a growing women’s community outreach project
led by Terry Carasick. We are in the process of knitting or cro-
cheting scarves for homeless men and women in the metro Atlan-
ta area and will be ready to distribute our wares by 12/15. Our
last meeting 4/19/15 was so productive and a big thank you is in
order for Terry!
A big thank you also is in order to Leslie Swichkow for planning
our Sunday morning Mah Jongg in April. As always, all are
welcome to this growing regular event as we have different levels
of expertise from the beginning level to the advanced. Teachers
are always needed for this popular happening so please share
your knowledge with upcoming Mah Jongg Sundays and thank
you to those that have taught during the year!
Our May social event will be held at Red Sky Tapas and Bar,
Thursday, 5/14/15 at 6:30 p.m. Please plan on attending and
partaking of tapas, nonalcoholic and/or alcoholic drinks, and good
company as we strive to expand our Sisterhood participation to
all ages and interests for the women of TBT!
Robin Bledsoe Sisterhood Chair
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.
Please RSVP to [email protected] and indicate your first and second choices as to what you would like to contribute. You will receive an email confirmation. RSVP is for dinner only. Please feel free to attend any or all events.
Please join us for a multi generational celebration of Shavuot
Saturday, May 23, 2015 6:00 PM Shavuot Dairy Pot Luck Dinner 7:00 PM Multi-Generational Shavuot Service 8:15 PM Tikkun Leyl Shavuot - A Shavuot Study Session
Temple Beth Tikvah
Annual Congregational Meeting & Brunch
Be A Part of the Process!
Sunday, May 17th @ 9:30 a.m.
Presentation and election of the slate of Officers and Trustees.
Presentation & acceptance of the 2015-2016 Budget & Constitutional Amendments
Hear a review of the past year and a preview of capital projects for the next year
Enjoy a light brunch and the voices of our Adult and Youth Choirs.
For your convenience we are also providing free babysitting and elementary age
kids will have programming with Senior Youth Group members.
Please RSVP online at www.bethtikvah.com at sign up for events
Rethinking Shavuot – Join Rabbi Greene to explore how the Book of Ruth can help us focus on the importance of living in community, the power of small acts of kindness in building trust, and the necessity of imagining a different future. And if that is not enough, we will share some of our favorite cheesecakes!
Choices: Dairy Main Dish for 8 Side Dish for 8 Salad for 8