Temple Israel of Highlands County 1305 Temple Israel Drive ......Dugma Ishit / Role-Modeling We must lead by example, and make every effort to demonstrate healthy behavior and choices.

Temple Israel of Highlands County

1305 Temple Israel Drive

Sebring, Florida 33870

863-382-7744 JUNE 2020 / 5780

Temple Israel is a Reform Temple that promotes the enduring and

fundamental principles of Judaism.

Through prayer, study and friendship we strive to enrich our lives

and ensure Jewish continuity in Highlands County.

Temple Israel’s Web Page www.templeisraelofhcfl.org

Congregational Board

Officers:

President:

Julia Ruden

[email protected]

Vice President:

Howard Salles

[email protected]

Secretary:

Bernice Snoll

[email protected]

Treasurer:

Cathy Blumenthal

[email protected]

Past President:

Herman Pintzow

[email protected]

Trustees:Phyllis Behrens

[email protected]

Karen delValle

[email protected]

Lois Lewis Gill

[email protected]

Narola Rosenberg

[email protected]

Sara Rosenbaum

[email protected]

Alan Wildstein

[email protected]

Officiating Cantor:

Cantor Riselle [email protected]: [email protected]*American Conference of Cantors Clergy Committed to Judaism and Jewish Music

Rabbi Emerita: Lorraine Rudenberg

[email protected]

Newsletter Staff:Michelle Herchick

[email protected]

Bulletin Board:Howard Salles

[email protected]

JUNE 2019 / 5779

In these past weeks, we, like others around the world, have spent a great deal of time and energy dealing

with the myriad of possible situations and decisions associated with the advent of COVID-19.

As we struggle to consider all of our options in this ever-changing environment, we strive to make

decisions using a Jewish values-based matrix that will help us to act in a consistent manner that is in line

with Jewish tradition and modern sensibility.

1. Pikuach Nefesh / Saving a Life

This is the most important Jewish value. Our sacred texts teach that we can forgo almost any

commandment or prohibition in order to preserve life.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priority must be the health and safety of all. Closing

our building and reshaping our services to be offered on Riselle Bain Jewish Cantor/Clergy Facebook

page has been done with the goal of ensuring everyone’s safety.

2. Al Tifrosh Min Ha Tzibbur / “Do Not Separate Oneself from the Community” (Mishnah, Avot 2:5)

Physically distancing – by having virtual services and canceling social events, hunkering down at home

can easily have the effect of isolating many of us from one another. We are lonely.

As such, we need to find as many ways as possible to ensure that that we stay in touch: calling each other

to say hello, how are you doing? – emails, communicating with each other even during our Shabbat

Service on Facebook via the chat button, Zoom with friends, Facetime, Skype, texting, even writing an

old-fashioned letter! Using this new technology has been a real learning experience for me, BUT how

fortunate we are to have it available to us during this time of self-quarantine. We are determined to do

everything we can to enable and sustain meaningful connections.

3. Simcha / Rejoicing

Even (and perhaps especially) in times of difficulty, it’s important that we look for ways to celebrate

Jewish life and life in general. This can be difficult when lifecycle events are canceled or postponed due

to health concerns and quarantines, but we are determined to do all that we can, within the constraints of

the reality of our situation, to help find and achieve moments of joy. Find a moment of rejoicing in each

day of life. For me, it has become photographing something beautiful each day when I go on my walk,

and then sharing that moment of beauty and rejoicing with a friend via email.

4. Nechama / Comforting the Afflicted

We continue to strive to be present for all who are in need in any way that we can – listening to a friend

on the phone with a sympathetic ear.

5. Tzimtzum / Narrowing Down or Contracting

In Jewish mystical tradition, prior to creation, God went through a process of contraction and self-

examination in order to make room for the world. Because God was everywhere and everything, there

was no space for anything else – hence the need to pull away.

Similarly, there are times when we need to contract our emotional, physical, and spiritual

needs in order to make room for others. In particular, we need to be sensitive to those in

our community who may be most affected by the virus – the most vulnerable among us.

We’ve seen multiple responses to this situation, some bringing out the worst in people.

On the other hand, we’ve also seen people coming together, looking for ways to help,

and self-sacrificing in order to ensure that the most affected are protected – perfect

examples of how we can make room for others in our midst.

6. Dugma Ishit / Role-Modeling

We must lead by example, and make every effort to demonstrate healthy behavior and

choices. We are not gathering in groups or at the synagogue. We are leading services,

congregational events, and functions from separate locations through the use of

technology until it is determined to be safe to come together again.

In this uncharted territory, the uncertainty and unease we all feel is normal for a situation

that is anything but normal. May we continue to work together as a kehillah kedosha, a

sacred community, to emerge strengthened and resolute – and may our values serve as

anchors in a sea of uncertainty.

With all good thoughts,

Cantor Riselle Bain

JUNE 2020/5780 Julia Ruden

Dear Friends and Family;

Sorry for being late with the newsletter again…

We are so lucky to have Facebook & internet technology to have our

Services online with Cantor Riselle. The Rabbinical and Cantoral

Associations have chosen to have High Holidays in September online

virtually (Facebook for us) because of Covid 19. I agree and therefore we

are starting to plan as such! Cantor Riselle is all over it!!

Thank you to our Board Members that remain year after year. All of you

amaze me with your continued efforts in the successful running of our

Temple. For those of you who work anonymously and endlessly - Thank

you Soooo MUCH!!

Another year begins and dues are due, an invoice is attached to this

newsletter, please mail your checks to the Temple if you have not done so

already.

I hope everyone remains safe and enjoys their families and friends

responsibly over the Summer.

Prayers for all those who mourn or are sick!

May we continue to go from strength to strength!

Be thankful for everything, everyone, everyday – I am!

Thankxoxo you ALL for ALL you Dooooooo!!

B’Shalom,

Julia XOXOXOXXO

AnnouncementsJUNE 2020/ 5780

LUNCH BUNCH

The next Ladies Lunch

Bunch Group is on hiatus

until further notice.

Contact Renee Tepper

863-414-8811 or

[email protected]

תודה רבה - Thank You

Alan Wildstein for your

continued and generous

support for Alan Jay

Automotive for our

transportation to and from

Services! Please Contact

Cantor Riselle Bain 813-

600-8013 if you need

assistance to get to

services.

Happy Anniversary

Bruce Sherwood & Sara Rosenbaum 06/19

Cantor Riselle Bain & Michael Duncan 06/24

Millie & Bill Anderson 06/25

Nancy & Joe Rockhill 06/25

Denise & Lee Weisberger 06/30

June Yahrzeits

** Memorial Plaque in our Shul

Bonnie Ann Goergen Judith Abrams

Seymour Fields-Elias Martin Elias

George Albin** Leon Novich**

Sadie Bellin Theodore Romer**

Patricia G. Berzark** Elizabeth A. Rosen**

Helen C. Dallas Fannie Rosen**

Rose Frankel Betty Rosenbaum

Louis A. Frank Sarah Roth

Joseph Sewelson Fanny Erskine

Sydney Kaphan Robert Siegel

Walter Kessler Dorothy Silverman

Abe Kirtz** Lora Starr

Adele Kaman Matthew L. Steward**

William Mazen Mildred Wasoff

Arnold Neumann

Edward Laveen

Selma R. Neumann Dora Wolkove**

YAHRZEIT DONATIONS

Given by In Memory Of

Judy Albin Louis A. Frank, George Albin

Julia Ruden Arnold Neumann, Selma R. Neumann

Mary Ann Romer Judith Abrams, Theodore Romer

Howard Salles Solomon Salles, Rhoda Salles

JUNE 2019 DONATION CARDS(All donations go to our Temple.)

To send a birthday, anniversary, get well, sympathy or mazel

tov card contact Mary Ann Romer at [email protected].

Write “Temple card” in the email subject box.

Send your minimum $5.00 donation to Temple.

Anniversaries

By: Congregation, Julie Ruden, Howard Salles, Cathy Blumenthal, Herman & Becky

Pintzow, Cantor Riselle Bain

To: Herb & Kathleen Weiss, Robert & Roberta Goodman

Get Well:

By: Congregation, Julie Ruden, Howard Salles, Cathy Blumenthal, Herman & Becky

Pintzow, Cantor Riselle Bain

To: Annette Owens, wife of Shawn Owens, security guard

Celebrate any occasion while benefitting Israel and our temple. For only $18.00, plant a tree in Eretz Yisrael.Simply e-mail the donor and recipient information to: [email protected]

Mail your check to the temple, payable to Temple Israel.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

OF

HIGHLANDS COUNTY 1305 Temple Israel Drive

SEBRING, FL 33870

863-382-7744

www.templeisraelofhcfl.org

Please make check payable to

Temple Israel of Highlands County, FL

Dues payable upon receipt of

This invoice.

*If you are able to increase your dues, it

would be greatly appreciated!!

DUES $________

*DUES ENHANCEMENT $________

WOMAN’S CLUB DUES $________ ($15.00)

NEW YEAR’S

GREETINGS $________ ($18.00) 09/18/2020

SECURITY DONATIONS $________

TOTAL $________

NOTE: Special arrangements must be made with the President and/or Treasurer prior to the end of the first

quarter or by September 1, 2020.

INVOICE

ANNUAL DUES

June 1, 2020 - May 31, 2021

NAME:

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

FAMILY: $525.00

SINGLE: $325.00

Schedule of Services June 2020-May 2021

Friday June 5 – Parashat Nasso

Friday July 3 – Parashat Chukat

Friday August 7 – Parashat Eikev

Rosh Hashanah Friday evening September 18 – Saturday September 19

Yom Kippur Sunday evening September 27 – Monday September 28

Friday, October 9 – Sukkot

Friday October 23 – Parashat Noach

Friday November 6 – Kristallnacht (Actually November 9-10)

Friday November 20 – Parashat Toldot

Friday December 4 – Parashat Vayishlach

Friday December 18 – Our Chanukah Service on the last night of Chanukah

Friday January 8 – Parashat Shemot

Friday January 22 – Tu B’Shevat (Actually January 17)

Friday February 5 – Parashat Yitro

Sunday February 14 – Possible Concert

Friday February 26 – Purim

Friday March 12 – Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei

Saturday March 27 – Passover

Friday April 9 – Yom Hashoah Parashat Shmini

Friday April 23 – Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim

Friday May 14 – Shavuot

Friday May 28 – Parashat Beha’alotcha

Future Erev Shabbat Services

6:30 PM (subject to change)Future services will be held online with Cantor Riselle Bain via her

Facebook page. Go her cantor Facebook page to find the link: Riselle Bain

Jewish Cantor/Clergy

Cantor Bain’s Schedule: