December CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families

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CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES December 2011 Friday, December 2 Saturday, December 3 Friday, December 9 (Traditional Service in the Racusin Chapel)

Torah Study Saturdays @ 11:00am Please come and join us Dear Friends: The period between mid-november and the end of December is a time when we traditionally assess our lives.

1 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES December 2011 Friday, December 2 Saturday, December 3 Friday, December 9 (Traditional Service in the Racusin Chapel) Saturday, December 10 Friday, December 16 6:00 pm Family Dinner 7:00 pm Saturday, December 17 9:00am Friday, December 23 Saturday, December 24 9:00am Friday, December 30 Saturday, December 31 9:00am Torah Study 11:00am Please come and join us Dear Friends: The period between mid-november and the end of December is a time when we traditionally assess our lives. We are particularly conscious of the physical blessings that we have been given, our health, our shelter, our nourishment and, especially, our families. To be sure, each of us has areas of concern, needs that are not fulfilled and problems that have yet to be resolved. Our lives are hardy perfect. Yet, compared to the lot of many other people, even people in Corpus Christi, we do have a lot with which to be satisfied. As we add up our achievements and our acquisitions at the end of the year, the word Thanks easily comes to our lips. In Pirke Avot, an ancient rabbi, Ben Zoma, asked Who is rich? His response to his own question was that a rich person is content with what he already has. There s a great deal to make us content. But the prophets of biblical Israel (and their successors through the ages) have stressed that we ought not to look at the world as it is, but as it ought to be. It s hard not to be aware of the imperfections of our society. In areas of our city, there is a high propensity for violence, drug use, gang activities. I spoke at King High School the other evening, and the principal told me that of roughly 800 students who enter as freshmen, only about graduate. Some, of course, move out of the city and some go to other schools, but the majority of this nearly 30% loss end up with marginal literacy and minimal employable skills. How sad! And then there are the bigger, world-wide issues of which we are all aware: disease, poverty, malnutrition, war, prejudice, disasters of every sort. As satisfied as we may be with our lot in life, we cannot be smugly complacent in the face of the indignities with which fellow human beings are confronted every day. So this period of reassessment and gratitude ought also prompt us to think about ways in which we can improve the world in which we live. There are so many things large and small that each individual can undertake. All it requires is a little determination and motivation. It would be very nice if our good fortune would prompt each of us to find something to do that would move our world away from what is and toward what ought to be. Shalom, Kenneth D. Roseman, Rabbi

Dear Members of CBI, PRESIDENT S MESSAGE I want to express my genuine thanks and congratulations to Catherine Susser, Laura Hausman and the CBI Sisterhood for planning and conducting a most

2 Dear Members of CBI, PRESIDENT S MESSAGE I want to express my genuine thanks and congratulations to Catherine Susser, Laura Hausman and the CBI Sisterhood for planning and conducting a most successful Food Fest. Their leadership and the Sisterhood s commitment and work made the weekend an enjoyable experience for the entire Corpus Christi community. The food, desserts, raffle, auction, and vintage shop were all sensational winners. The success of Food Fest has a secret ingredient the dozens of volunteers who work for weeks preparing and then making Food Fest a reality during that special weekend in November. The purpose, camaraderie and teamwork bring people together in a special way that bonds our CBI community closer each year. I cannot name all the volunteers without missing some; however, I want each of you to know that the CBI Board of Trustees appreciates your giving of money and time to make this major event so successful. Speaking of time I would be remiss in not taking this opportunity to suggest you commit some time to participating in CBI activities. I encourage you to commit to attending services once or twice a month, participate in the Saturday study group, volunteer in the library or attend the 92 nd Street Y live presentations via satellite. While these activities can add to our personal growth and spirituality they also provide a wonderful opportunity for congregants to socialize and become a closer families of families. Happy Shalom, Jim Gold RABBI TO BE BUTT OF MANY BARBS AND JOKES - January 29th, 2012 The Brotherhood of Temple Shalom in Dallas has persuaded Rabbi Roseman to be the roastee at their annual fun-filled evening and roast on January 29 th. A large crowd of his former congregants, friends from Dallas and a delegation from Corpus Christi will be present to rake him over the coals, tongues firmly in cheeks and malicious grins spreading widely across every face. You might ask: Why would our rabbi submit to such an honor? Aside from having the opportunity to see lots of good friends and turn red with embarrassment, he will share the Brotherhood s wonderful tradition. Half of the net proceeds of the evening are allotted to the honoree for distribution to the charity of his choice. Rabbi Roseman has elected to give his portion of the profits to the Greene Family Camp, the one Jewish institution that serves children from both Texas congregations with which he has been associated. Everyone at CBI will be receiving an invitation. Even if you don t plan to fly up to Dallas, you can still send an anecdote (or maybe an antidote) along with your reply card. We are proud that Temple Shalom remembers Rabbi Roseman with such fondness that they are honoring him in this way. CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 Saratoga Telephone /Fax congregation@bethisraelcc.com Website: bethisraelcc.com Rabbi Kenneth Roseman Debbie Bustillo, Office Administrator Susan Martin, Corpus Christi Community Religious School Administrator President Jim Gold First Vice President Suzy Hilliard Second Vice President Gary Blum Secretary Julia Noble Treasurer Ed Mange Past President.....Maury Wolfson Sisterhood President....Robin Adams Adult Education David Jacobs Cemetery Co-Chairs...Robert Adler, Carl Kuehn Gary Blum and Clara Braslau Ritual Committee Co-Chairs....Andrew Sheinberg and Joe Loon Program Coordinator Leslie Green Membership Committee Chair......Susan Martin Social Action Committee Chairs....Jim Gold Dues Committee Co-Chairs Ann Engel and Leslie Kane Building Chair......David Jacobs Grounds Chair.. Rikki Schmitchel Fine Arts...Laurie Mintz and Ross Burney Webmaster Jack Widder

Corpus Christi Community Religious School Susan Martin, Director Although school will not be in session during, classes will be discussing the holiday and making crafts.

3 Corpus Christi Community Religious School Susan Martin, Director Although school will not be in session during, classes will be discussing the holiday and making crafts. I hope everyone will enjoy the time off resting, spending time with family and friends, and having fun! Shalom! Susan RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Sunday School 10:00 12:00pm December 4 & 11 Hebrew School 4:30 pm 6:00 pm on Thursdays December 1, 8, & 15 FAMILY CORNER Shalom CBI Congregants, Now that Food Fest and the Thanksgiving holiday are behind us, it's time to gear up for our Chanukah festivities!!! I have to admit, this is one of my favorite Jewish holidays... and what better way to celebrate then being all together at our next Family Shabbat Dinner on Friday, December 16 th. Bring your appetites and menorahs with you as we all light up the night together!!! I will be busy in the kitchen making oodles of potato latkes and a full dinner to go with them. I will be needing extra help in the kitchen to prepare the many latkes for all of us to enjoy, so please consider lending a hand with this project. Can't wait to see ALL of you and break bread together again, Leslie Green Programming Director shanacal@stx.rr.com phone: (361)

SISTERHOOD REPORT While we have not finished tallying the numbers, I can tell you that our 25 th annual Food Fest was another huge success. I hope all of you had a chance to partake of this event.

4 SISTERHOOD REPORT While we have not finished tallying the numbers, I can tell you that our 25 th annual Food Fest was another huge success. I hope all of you had a chance to partake of this event. For those of you who attended thank you. If you were not there, we hope to see you next year. We are now switching gears and planning some exciting events for the coming months. Stay tuned for details as plans are being formulated. Just a reminder, if you haven t paid your membership dues for Sisterhood, please contact Natalie Honigbaum. She will be happy to forward the information for new membership or renewal. We would love to have you as part of our group. Here s wishing you and your family a Happy Chanukah from the Women of Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood. Thank You We would like to once again express our sincere gratitude to the many volunteers who helped make the 25th annual Food Fest such a success. We were amazed by the endless hours of time that so many of you generously put forth as well as the hard work and enthusiasm showed throughout the weekend. We had a great time and are so pleased to have been able to help the congregation in this meaningful way. We are so blessed to have this tight-knit community and we look forward to many more Food Fests! Sincerely, Catherine and Laura

5 From the Jewish Community Council

6 HANUKKAH BEGINS TUESDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 20 Dust off your hanukkiyot and get them ready for Tuesday night, December 20. That s when you should be lighting the first candle of this year. Count out your candles to be sure you have enough. What s enough? You ll need 44 candles if you light the right number each night of the festival. If you don t have the right number, our Sisterhood Gift Shop can supply you with a wide variety of styles and colors of candles. We ve got plenty in stock. Remember the secret of lighting. You fill the candle holders starting on the right side of the Hanukkiyah, plus of course a shamash (helper) for each night. But you light the most recent candle first; that s the one on the left. So, the rule is: fill from right to left, but light from left to right. It s simple, once you get the hang of it. Where in the Bible do you find a description of? Trick question. You don t find it in the Bible because the text of the Hebrew Scriptures has nothing that was written after about 200 B.C.E., while the events that commemorates occurred about thirty-five years later (from 167 to 165 B.C.E.). In those years, a vassal state of the Romans called Seleucids (They lived in what today we know as Syria.) had invaded Judea and had conquered the Temple. Instead of destroying it, they converted it to the worship of their own idols, and they tried to force the Jews to bow down to their gods. Mattathias the Hasmonean, a major leader of the Jewish community, refused, and he and his sons went off into the Judean hills to conduct a guerilla war against the interlopers. Two-plus years later, they prevailed, against all odds. It is possible that the Seleucids had to withdraw their troops and use them to defend their territory elsewhere; we just don t know the details. In any event, the Hasmoneans (or Maccabees as we often call them) came back to Jerusalem, purified the Temple and restored it to the worship of the God of Israel. We know a great deal about these events from a book written by Flavius Josephus about two centuries later. Josephus was a general in the Jewish army in their war against the Romans that began in 66 C.E. In 68, he calculated that the Jews were going to lose badly and that someone had to record all the history of that time. He left the army and became a historian, writing, among other books, The Wars of the Jews. In that book, he told the story of the Hasmoneans, at least as it had been passed down to him by prior generations. The one thing that Josephus does not mention is the miracle of the oil that lasted eight nights. We have no written evidence of this wonder-story until the time of the Babylonian Talmud, about the sixth century, roughly seven hundred years after the events themselves. Is the story the creation of an imaginative later writer? Did it really happen? Who cares? The real message of has little to do with this miracle of long-burning oil and a great deal to do with religious freedom and the right of each group to worship God in the style that they think is proper. What we hope we remember is that the war against the Seleucids was the world s first struggle for religious self-determination and freedom, something we enjoy today, something which we must do everything we can to protect against inroads from those who would take it away from us.

7 Lighting the Candles Light the first candle on Tuesday evening, December 20. Here s the simple rule for how to do it right. Place the first candle on the right side of the Hanukkiyah (a menorah, but with nine branches, not seven). Use the shamash (servant candle) to light it. On the second night, add a candle to the left of the first one, but light the newest candle first, then move to the right and light the older one. With each successive night, add to the left, but light to the right. Got it? Good! There are three blessings to be said on the first night of, then two on all subsequent nights. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kidshanu B mitzvotav V tzeevanu L hadlik Ner Shel. We praise You, Adonai, our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy through commandments and ordained that we kindle the lights. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, She-ah-sah Neeseem Lavoteinu Bayah-meem Haheym Baz man Hazeh. We praise You, Adonai, our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time in the year. And only on the first night, we say: Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Shehecheyanu Vekeeyemanu Vehigeeyanu Laz man Hazeh. We praise You, Adonai, Our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us in life and sustained us and permitted us to reach this joyous time. The Rabbi, Officers, Board and Members of Congregation Beth Israel join in wishing each other a very happy and joyous.

9 The Congregation thanks you for the following contributions Yahrzeit Donations Morris Liedeker, Sr. Morris Liedeker, Jr. Blanche Sheiness Joyce & Herschel Sheiness Marvin Sheiness Aron Golden Evelyn Greenberg Jeno Meister Edith & Ted Mason Joseph Newman Eli Berman Sylvia Rosenberg High Holyday Appeal Donation From Suzy & John Hilliard Laura & David Hausman Mitzvah Fund Bette Solovey Susan & Bill Martin Robert McReynolds Rose Axelrad Blanche Sheiness Marvin Sheiness Hattie Abrams William Simpkins Irving ChaFetz Dorothy Jessel Mr. & Mrs. Marc Sheinesss Ann & David Engel Barbara & Jerry Silverman Rona & LA Train Mille Zalim Rosella Hollingsworth Susan & Bill Martin Oshman Family Foundation Fund Bette Solovey Oshman Family Cemetery Endowment Fund Louis B. Leshin Yetta & Marvin Leshin General Fund Bette Solovey Jim & Annette Cottingham Doris Katz Willy Kuehn Karen & Harold Kane Ann & David Engel Roslyn & Maury Wolfson Rosella Hollingsworth Robin & Bill Adams Recovery of From Rose Garza Elizabeth & Ray Falk In Honor of From Henry Roseman on his Bar Mitzvah Roslyn & Maury Wolfson For their tremendous time & Ann & David Engel effort to make this Food Fest an amazing success: Catherine Susser, Laura Hausman, Pat Susser, Chip & Barb Schwamb, Rikki Schmitchel, Debbie Bustillo, Shelly Jacobson, Judy Itkin, Susan Martin, Amy Krams Clara Braslau, Ray Briones, Julia Noble, Chris & Robert Adler Jill Jacobs & Natalie Honigbaum Rabbi's Discretionary Fund In Honor of From Mel Klein on his nomination for the position of Vice-Chair of the Board of Visitors Bette Solovey Jeannie Trimyer Bette Solovey Donation From Jeri Kolpack Jeri Kolpack Solovey Family Richard & Beatrice Hinojosa Arturo Hinojosa Laura & David Hausman Rabbi Weissman Memorial Fund Rabbi Hyman Weissman Phyllis Weissman Tracy Braslau Youth Memorial Fund Helen Goodman Marilyn & Irving Braslau Bette Solovey In Honor of From Engagment of Todd Davis to Mali Picus Marriage of Andrea Zane to Blake Feinman Marilyn & Irving Braslau Don t forget. You can remember a friend or relative with a minimum contribution of $5.00 to one of our many funds. These funds support camp scholarships, education, cemeteries, fine arts, library, & building improvements, to name a few. An acknowledgement card will be sent to the honored person or family. Please make checks payable to CBI and specify the fund. Call the CBI office with any questions.

10 P E R P E T U A L YAHRZEITS Sabbath of December 2nd *Harold Robert Applebaum *David Blair *Milton Eidelberg Rose Epstein Hans Eyck Ida Mann Falk *Sam Falk *Dora Fenig *Israel Ferszt *Sarah Goodman *Dave L. Greenberg *Martin Kridel Jack Marks *Gertrude Pearlman *Lillian Prashner Juan Rodriguez, Sr. *Bertha Wadel Samuels Barbara Rita Shimansky *Rachel Simon *William Simpkins *Kate Smith Susan Train Mike Wormser Sabbath of December 9th Irwin Bernstein *Bruce Evert Bobys Cora Carrillo Juliette Goldsmith *Dorothy Greene *Nison Grossman *Jennie Hymans *Max Orshanski *Lillian Racusin *Richard Rocklin *Arthur M. Roscoe Philip Seldin Gregory Silberman *Barry Waldman *Martha Wilson *Yehuda Zebaida Sabbath of December 16th Howard Balkin *Maurice Cohn *Grace Coin *Flora Daum *Paul Gold *Harry Goltzman *Claire Haas Benjamin Heller *Sam Isenberg Hattie Kaufman Mary Shapiro Levinson *Albert A. Lichtenstein *Jann L. Horner Miehl *Gilbert T. Morris *Fannie Passman Philip Rosenheim *Jacob Solinger *Isaac Solka *Morris Stein Bertha Train *Audrey Sharon Zane Sabbath of December 23rd *Helen Alexander Esther Applebaum *Jacob Bein *Joseph Bein Janie M. Carrillo *Annette Davis Judith Goldsmith *Leo Irving Goltzman *Ella Deutsch Hausman Idell Itkin *Aranka Kane *Fan R. Klein *Harry Klein *Ben Kolpack *Benjamin Laves *Bertha Liedeker *Jack Nebrat *Louis Racusin *Nate Shapiro *Tillie Sheinberg *Milton Silverman *David Solovey *Minna Shwarz Susser *Anna Veenik Sabbath of December 30th William Adams *Scott Jeffrey Applebaum *Dora Davis *Anne S. Dawson *Sophie Wilma Dobrer *Rosa Drucker *Jake Goldstein *Nasanel Grossman *Abe Heifetz *David M. Isenberg *Simon Kannengieser *Charles Karren *Rachel Levinson Forest Toby Levy *Louis Liedeker *Anna Maizel *Kay Malka Mendlowitz *David Lee Needleman *Leon Newman *Jeanne Nisenson Joseph Primack Robert Racusin *Rae Rosenberg Horace Simon Nathan Stillman

December 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Hebrew School 4:30-6:00 2 3 Torah Study 11:00 am 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sunday School 10:00-12:00 Hebrew School 4:30-6:00 *Traditional

Torah Study 11:00 am 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Winter Break NO HEBREW SCHOOL Winter Break *office is open 1/2 day Torah Study 11:00 am 25 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

11 December 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Hebrew School 4:30-6: Torah Study 11:00 am Sunday School 10:00-12:00 Hebrew School 4:30-6:00 *Traditional Service in Racusin Chapel Torah Study 11:00 am 11 Sunday School 10:00-12: CBI Board 7pm 15 Hebrew School 4:30-6: :00 pm Family Dinner 7:00 pm 17 Torah Study 11:00 am NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Winter Break NO HEBREW SCHOOL Winter Break *office is open 1/2 day Torah Study 11:00 am 25 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Winter Break 26 *office is closed 1st candle 27 2nd candle rd candle NO HEBREW SCHOOL Winter Break 30 5th candle 31 Torah Study 11:00 am 6th candle 7th candle 8th candle

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 SARATOGA CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78413 L Dor VaDor Judaica Shop Need a gift or something for, we ve got

12 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 SARATOGA CORPUS CHRISTI, TX L Dor VaDor Judaica Shop Need a gift or something for, we ve got it! Menorahs, Candles, Gelt, Dreidels, Gifts and more, all in time for the holidays. Call Clara to set an appointment at

Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, December 16 th Service @ 6pm Dinner to follow Bring your appetites and menorahs with you as we all

13 Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, December 16 th 6pm Dinner to follow Bring your appetites and menorahs with you as we all light up the night together!!! For more information: Leslie Green Programming Director shanacal@stx.rr.com phone: (361)

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families December December CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families December 2010 CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES December Friday, December 3 6:00 pm Followed by Family Dinner Remember to bring your Hanukkiyah Saturday, December