COM bulletin. Come one, come all to celebrate Esther's triumph in the town of Shushan! INSIDE SPECIAL EVENTS. Did you know... VISIT US!

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1 COM bulletin CONGREGATION OF MOSES Kalamazoo, Michigan Volume 5, Issue 2 February 1, 2013 Shevat - Adar 5773 INSIDE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE page 11 RABBI'S MESSAGE page 12 SISTERHOOD page 14 GETTING TO KNOW YOU page 8 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL page 15 YAHRZEITS page 23 SPECIAL EVENTS BOARD/MEN'S CLUB SHABBAT February 2 COMMUNITY SHABBAT DINNER February 8 PURIM LUNCH & CARNIVAL February 17 MAGILLAH READING February 23 FARMER'S ALLEY THEATRE February 24 Come one, come all to celebrate Esther's triumph in the town of Shushan! Purim is just around the corner (Feb ), so start planning your costumes, unearth your hamantaschen recipes and work on your list of recipients for mishloach manot. It's just about time to get rowdy! The carrying on begins SUNDAY, FEB. 17, with our annual USY Purim Lunch and Carnival kicking off at 12 noon in the Social Hall. Come in costume this is a fun-filled Purim celebration for all ages. Feast on a hot dog lunch prepared by the Men's Club and play away the day with carnival games set up by our USY teens. (Look for more details on the lunch and carnival on pages 12 and 22.) Arrive a bit early to catch a special performance of "My Fair Esther" by Mora Tema's 3rdand 4th-grade students. Starring Caroline Krell, Nava Haus, Minaleah Koffron, Maddie Strauss, Eliana Rubin, Gabe Amy and David Gelman, the play will begin around 11:30. Then on SATURDAY, FEB. 23, don your costume again this time for a dramatic and rousing reading of the Megillah. (We're taking a break from the Purim play of last year.) Starting at 6 p.m., Judah Ari-Gur will begin with a chapter in Hebrew, then the rest of the story will be read in English under the direction of Phil Horwich. Be ready to boo, shout and shake your groggers at the villianous Haman! And of course the evening would not be complete without hamantaschen, and more. If you would like to participate in the English reading, please contact Phil at (269) or philhorwich@yahoo.com. Did you know that Mordechai was the first person in history to be called a "Jew"? (Before then, Jews had been called "Hebrews" or "Israelites.")... that Achashverosh searched four years for a queen, during which he considered more than 1,400 contestants before choosing Esther? VISIT US!

2 CONGREGATION OF MOSES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS always welcomes comments from COM congregants and invites you to attend its regular board meetings, typically held the first Tuesday of each month. Minutes of board meetings are available upon request from the synagogue office. Executive Committee President Tamara Norman 1st Vice President Tema Lando nd Vice President Bruce Stein Treasurer Ed Goldenthal Secretary Diane Fogel Immediate Past President Shirley Wise Past President Ken Goodman global.net Synagogue Staff Rabbi Harvey Spivak Religious School Principal Susan Welbourne Office Manager Shirley Mengel Building Manager Rod Anderson 'Friend-in-Need' bags Naomi Verne is seeking help in collecting items to include in bags to be handed out to those in need. Naomi (who will become a Bat Mitzvah on June 22) and her friends and family will be making (hopefully) a lot of these bags and then distributing them to anyone who wants to carry one in their vehicle. If you run across someone in need, you can give them one of these bags. Items needed include toiletries and food that does not need refrigeration. Think about including items that you use often. A donation box is located in the COM lobby. Contact Jenna Verne with any questions at jverne2@comcast.net. PAGE 2 The COM bulletin is published monthly by the Congregation of Moses for the benefit of its members. The deadline for submitting articles, photos and ads is the third Monday of each month for publication the following month. Please send submissions to Cindy Beer, editor, at cinbeer@aol.com. PAUL F. DAVIDOFF ATTORNEY AT LAW PAUL F. DAVIDOFF, P.C. The Cornerstone Building 405 W. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 130 P.O. BOX KALAMAZOO, MI Telephone: (269) Fax: (269) pdavidoff@ameritech.net

3 Shabbat service schedule FRIDAY February 1 SATURDAY February 2 FRIDAY February 8 SATURDAY February 9 FRIDAY February 15 SATURDAY February 16 FRIDAY February 22 SATURDAY February 23 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Joyce Camhi 9:30 a.m. Board Shabbat Torah: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Board members Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6;9:5-6 Janet Heller Announcements: Bruce Patrick 7 p.m. Community Shabbat dinner begins at 6 p.m. Announcements: Beth Grode 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 23:20-24:18 Al Rosenthal Haftarah: Isaiah II Kings 12:1-12:17 Dave Rosenberg Announcements: Ken Goodman 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Connie Bowman Cathy Cheron will host the oneg in honor of her 50th birthday 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 26:31-27:19 Rabbi Spivak Haftarah: I Kings 5:26-6:13 Dave Rosenberg Announcements: Neal Berke 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Adam Strauss 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 29:19-30:10 Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: I Samuel 15:2-15:34 Rabbi Spivak Announcements: Phil Horwich Megilah reading begins at 6 p.m. Candle lighting FEBRUARY 1 FEBRUARY 8 FEBRUARY 15 FEBRUARY 22 5:37 p.m. 5:47 p.m. 5:56 p.m. 6:04 p.m. Barucha for candle lighting Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav vetzivanu l hadlik ner shel Shabbat PAGE 3

4 February calendar SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 Board/Men's Club Shabbat 3 From Bible to Synagogue 11:30 am 4 5 Board meeting 7:30 pm 6 Yoga 5-6 pm 7 8 Community Shabbat dinner 6 pm 9 Services 7 pm 10 Hamantaschen Bake 1-2:30 pm Sisterhood program at Kalamazoo Valley Museum Yoga 5-6 pm 14 Hadassah lunch meeting at Portage Public Library with Dr. Jeffrey Haus 15 Cathy Cheron oneg in honor of her 50th birthday Men s Club meeting 9:30 am Purim Carnival & Lunch 18 Bulletin deadline 5 pm Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm Yoga 5-6 pm 21 Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 pm Megillah reading 6 pm; hamantaschen dessert 24 No Religious School Farmer s Alley Theater: The Whipping Man 2 pm Yoga 5-6 pm 28 PAGE 4

5 March calendar SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 Learner's Shabbat, Tot Shabbat and Jr. Congregation 3 Essential Jewish Ideas 11:30 am 4 5 Board meeting 7:30 pm 6 Yoga 5-6 pm Men s Club Mtg. 9:30 am Sisterhood/ Hadassah joint meeting: Maj Jongg, Mimosas & More 11 Hadassah Board Meeting 7 pm Yoga 5-6 pm From Bible to Synagogue 11:30 am 18 Bulletin deadline 5 pm Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm Yoga 5-6 pm 21 Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 pm Dave Rosenberg Birthday Kiddush Community Seder 26 Passover Service 9:30 am Synagogue office closed 27 Passover Service 9:30 am Synagogue office closed No Religious School No Religious School PAGE 5

6 SPEEDY RECOVERY WISHES TO... Shannon Dion Mishpacha Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds GENERAL FUND Wishing Shannon Dion a complete and speedy recovery. Joanne & Mike Simon, Phil Horwich, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Men s Club, Shirley Wise & Frank Szopo Condolences to Ken Fisher and family on the passing of his sister, J. Carol Fisher Eyges. Condolences to Carolyn Kennedy and family on the passing of her father, Fred Arkush. BUILDING FUND Wishing Shannon Dion a complete and speedy recovery. Mazel Tov to Elisabeth and Donald Thall on their 55th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov to Naomi and Norman Marshall on their 60th wedding anniversary. Condolences to Sallie Goodman and family on the passing of her brother, James Schaffer. Condolences to the Buder Family on the passing of their mother, Alyne Buder. MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Mazel Tov to Elisabeth and Donald Thall on their 55th wedding anniversary. Condolences to Ken Fisher and family on the passing of his sister, J. Carol Fisher Eyges. Condolences to Richard Kirschner and family on the passing of his father, Melvin J. Kirschner. Condolences to Werner Sichel and family on the passing of his sister, Margaret Gerstle. Condolences to Sallie Goodman and family on the passing of her brother, James Schaffer. Wishing Shannon Dion a complete and speedy recovery. Steven Kapetansky Sallie & Ken Goodman, Tamara & Earl Norman Hy Tuchman Werner Sichel, Hy Tuchman Werner Sichel Sandy & Larry Rose Rosalie & Marvin Okun Judy & Lowell Seyburn, the Fischell Family BRYNA GRAFF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND In loving memory of my mother, Dorothy Miller. Kim Rubin HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND In loving memory of my dear mother, Eta Kercman for her love of reading. Tema Lando Condolences to Marian Fisher, Ken Fisher and family on the passing of Marc Fisher Fran Raffel, Gloria Besbris, Theresa & Peter Humphreys Wishing Shannon Dion a complete and speedy recovery. Marilyn & Art Feinberg PAGE 6

7 MORT AND JOYCE FISHER KITCHEN/KIDDUSH/ONEG FUND In loving memory of my father, Sidney Schwartz. Paul & Sharon Schwartz RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND In loving memory of my mother, Annelise Loeser. In loving memory of my mother, Betty Levene. In loving memory of my sister, Caryn Levene. In loving memory of Morris Berkson. In memory of Alyne Buder. Marjorie Gayner Lori & Glenn Putman Elinor Star Gloria Besbris, Rhoda & Fred Kagan Herman and Rose Fisher Library This is award season, right? You know, the Golden Globes, the Oscars. Well, this is also award season in the Jewish publishing world, particularly for children s books. The most important is the Sydney Taylor Awards. As described by its website: The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. Gold medals are presented in three categories: Younger Readers, Older Readers and Teen Readers. Honor Books are awarded silver medals, and Notable Books are named in each category. I am proud to say that the COM Library has or will have many of the award winners, honor books and notable books from the 2013 awards to choose from. This year s books currently in the Library are: The Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner for Younger Readers: Hannah s Way by Linda Glaser with illustrations by Adam Gustavson Notable Books for Younger Readers: Sadie and the Big Mountain by Jamie Korngold with illustrations by Julie Fortenberry A Song for My Sister by Lesley Simpson with illustrations by Tatjana Mai-Wyss Notable Books for Older Readers: Hereville: How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch Looking for Me by Betsy R. Rosenthal For the complete list, click on the following link: jewishlibraries.org/main/portals/0/ajl_assets/documents/ awards/stba/2013%20stbaawardslist.pdf Look for more awardwinning books in the coming months. Rachel Haus Library Director PAGE 7

8 Palestine in March of While in high school, Jochanan joined the Haganah and upon graduation completed a year of compulsory national service. He then enlisted in the army just as Israel s War of Independence broke out. FEATURING Mabel and Jochanan Stenesh by Mabel and Jochanan Stenesh; photo by Carolyn Kennedy It was on a balmy September evening in 1956 at Hillel on the University of California-Berkeley campus, where a dance to welcome new and returning Jewish students was taking place, and where a returning senior, Mabel, and a returning graduate student, Jochanan, came together. A first date in December, engagement in April 1957, marriage in July Now, 55 years later, a look back at the two very different worlds from which this pair sprung. Mabel was a California product, born in Berkeley, whose parents came from New York to the San Francisco Bay Area when her Navy father was transferred there in The family lived in Albany, a small city adjacent to Berkeley, where Mabel and her sister attended Albany public schools. They also attended religious school at Temple Sinai in Oakland and, later, the newly built Temple Beth-El in Berkeley. Mabel was an all-round student, involved in academics, sports and other extracurricular activities. She entered the University of California-Berkeley in 1952 where she earned a bachelor s degree in political science and a master s degree in library science. Jochanan was born in Magdeburg, Germany, and started school just as Hitler rose to power in Being the only Jewish child in a school of 800, he had his share of daily taunts and fights. Luckily, the family was offered a certificate by the Zionist Organization in Berlin (Jochanan s father had been a Zionist) for entry into Palestine. They had to leave Germany within seven days and arrived in In 1950, military service completed, he received a scholarship from the Institute of International Education in New York for study at the University of Oregon. He earned a bachelor s degree in chemistry there and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of California-Berkeley. Their life stories now intertwined by marriage, that first year together was one of austerity as they both finished graduate study and worked part-time. In 1958, Jochanan began a post-doctoral appointment at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, and Mabel took a librarian position at the University of Tel-Aviv. Then in 1960, the couple relocated to Indiana, Jochanan for a second postdoctoral appointment at Purdue University in Lafayette and Mabel for a librarian-teacher position in Dayton, a small town nearby. In 1963, Jochanan was hired by Western Michigan University s Chemistry Department to build a Ph.D program in biochemistry, and Mabel joined the staff of the Kalamazoo Public Library. As soon as they arrived in Kalamazoo, they joined the Congregation of Moses. Both knew full well, from Mabel growing up in a town with three Jewish families and Jochanan growing up in Israel, that when Jews live in the Diaspora, and especially in a small Jewish community like Kalamazoo, it is very difficult to preserve Jewish continuity and identification without supporting, and participating in, the local Jewish community. After two years, they decided to make Kalamazoo their home for good. Since family was always very important to them, there were yearly trips to Berkeley and Tel Aviv to visit their parents. Other travel, in addition to these family visits, was also always a priority. Once each of their sons arrived (Ilan, 1970; Oron, 1980), they would be taken along, first the one, then both, as long as they lived at home. Mabel and Jochanan have many shared interests, such as theater, concerts and travel, and they have always been continued on next page PAGE 8

9 Getting To Know You (from previous page) there to support their sons in school and extracurricular activities. Additionally, each has pursued individual passions, such as photography for Jochanan and community involvement for Mabel. Over the years, both have been active in the Congregation of Moses, where they have served in many different capacities. Mabel served as a COM board member for 15 years, as well as Religious Activities Chair, Torah Fund Chair and Sisterhood board member. She also reorganized the COM library from chaos to the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Jochanan was secretary of the COM board, assistant treasurer, active in the Men s Club, and so on. Both were active Religious School supporters for the many years that their children were enrolled. Mabel has been an active member of our Hadassah chapter for 50 years. Both Mabel and Jochanan have been active in the Kalamazoo Jewish Federation: Jochanan was one of the Federation s founders and chaired the UJA (now UJC) campaign for many years. He also served as Hillel adviser at WMU. Mabel served on the Federation s board and both have chaired the Israel Affairs Committee for more than three years and have been UJA, and now UJC, campaign solicitors for many years. Mabel was honored as Torah Fund Woman of Achievement, Jochanan for his Jewish Federation activities, and both have been honored by the State of Israel Bonds organization. They have had a very active retirement, with Jochanan authoring four books and Mabel continuing her involvement with both the Jewish community and the larger Kalamazoo community. Jochanan and Mabel continue to make one big trip each year and hope for many more good years to come. February celebrations The Congregation of Moses wishes mazel tov and yom haledet sameach to our members who are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays this month. If you would like to be included in our monthly recognition of birthdays and anniversaries, please contact Joanne Simon at (269) or jhsimon@charter.net. BIRTHDAYS 2/2 Judy Davis Rosenthal 2/2 Ed Goldenthal 2/2 Steve Camhi 2/7 Anne Fischel 2/11 Brad Kennedy 2/12 Marcie Brown 2/14 Brandon Berke 2/15 Cathy Cheron has a special birthday! 2/18 Steve Kapetansky 2/19 Julia Strauss 2/20 Paul Wienir 2/20 Marissa Icabone 2/20 Mazal Haus 2/20 Gabriel Amy is 10 today! 2/24 Evan Scheinker 2/26 Judah AriGur 2/27 Ken Fisher 2/29 Cooper Howard SAY 'YES' TO D&W DAYS AND EARN EASY MONEY FOR COM! Not yet a D&W yes card holder? It's a cinch to sign up online at Click on No yes card? and fill out the online registration form. Then you can pick up your yes card in-store at the Customer Service desk. During the registration process, you will be able to link COM to your card so that COM benefits from your purchases during these dates: February 3-9 February 24-March 2 PAGE 9

10 Sunday, February 17 th 11:00 am Hot Dog Lunch $20.00 per family $5.00 for adults or $3.00 for children Game tickets 5 for $1.00 Or 25 each PAGE 10

11 In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., January 5-6 was declared a National Sabbath to Stop Gun Violence by an organization called Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Faiths United Against Gun Violence (endorsed by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism). Rabbi Spivak found the following prayer, written by Rabbi Naomi Levy, and it was read at our Shabbat morning service on January 5. A Prayer of Healing From the Tragedy in Newtown Our hearts are breaking, God, As our nation buries innocent children and brave teachers. The loss is overwhelming. Send comfort and strength, God, to grieving parents, To siblings, family and friends in this time of shock and mourning. Shield them from despair. Send healing to the schoolchildren who are lost and frightened Whose eyes witnessed unfathomable horrors. Ease their pain, God, Let their fears give way to hope. Let their cries give way once more to laughter. Bless us, God, Work through us. Turn our helplessness into action. Teach us to believe that we can rise up from this tragedy With a renewed faith in the goodness of our society. Shield us from indifference And from our tendency to forget. Open our hearts, open our hands. Innocent blood is calling out to us to act. Remind us that we must commit ourselves to prevent further bloodshed With all our hearts and souls. Teach us perseverance and dedication. Let us rise up as one in a time of soul-searching and repair So that all children can go to school in peace, God, Let them be safe. God of the brokenhearted, God of the living, God of the dead, Gather the souls of the victims Into Your eternal shelter. Let them find peace in Your presence, God. Their lives have ended But their lights can never be extinguished. May they shine on us always And illuminate our way. Amen. President s Message Please join me in making sure your voice is heard at a local and national level by contacting your state and federal representatives. Please do not let the conversation die. Also, please consider joining the following organizations to show your support for gun control: The Brady Campaign; and Americans for Responsible Solutions, newly formed by Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly. Finally, Tu B Shevat was celebrated on January 26. Hadassah is planting a grove of trees in Israel in memory of the children and adults of Sandy Hook Elementary School. You can contribute at hadassah.org/sandyhook. Zichronam livracha, may their memories be for blessing. Tamara Norman President We offer caring and comprehensive counseling services for adults, teens and children of all ages individual, family, couples and group counseling psychological testing substance abuse evaluations 34 therapists in two locations most insurances accepted Kalamazoo Office (269) Director: Larry Beer, Ed.D. Portage Office (269) Director: Tim Howard, Ed.D. More than 20 years of treating people right PAGE 11

12 Rabbi s message Small but strong! That s a good description of our Jewish community. We have many reasons to be proud of the Congregation of Moses, and the Religious School is at the top of the list. So a change of principals is a big event. All of us want to express enormous gratitude to Sue Welbourne, the outgoing principal (and excellent teacher for many years before). Through all her years of service to the school and synagogue, she has always remained the teacher who has the best interests of her students foremost among her concerns. And we are happy to know that Susan Katz-Scheinker will be assuming this important role beginning February 10. She has impressive experience in Jewish communal life and as an administrator and organizational leader. Join us in honoring both Sue Welbourne and Susan Katz-Scheinker at Friday services on February 8, beginning at 7 pm. Rabbi Harvey Spivak From Bible to Synagogue: How Judaism Became the Religion We Know Today One of the most significant changes in Judaism after biblical times was the development of the Diaspora. For the Prophets, being outside the biblical homeland had been considered punishment for sins. Yet during this era Jews were thriving throughout the Hellenistic-Roman world and in the Fertile Crescent as well. How did this development give new meaning to Jewish identity? In what ways did the actions and attitudes of Jews in those days set the pattern for modern times? From Bible to Synagogue features a lecture by Professor Isaiah Gafni of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, recognized around the world as a leading authority on Judaism during Second Temple times. This period was second only to the Bible itself in forming Judaism into the religion that we know and live today. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. SOFEN LEARNING CENTER 269 PAGE 12

13 A COM Social Committee event Sunday Feb. 24 at 2 pm Farmers Alley Theatre THE WHIPPING MAN An extraordinary tale of loyalty, deceit and deliverance. It is Passover 1865, and the Civil War has just ended. Caleb DeLeon, a badly wounded Jewish Confederate soldier, returns home from the battlefield to find that his family has fled to the countryside and his family home is in ruins. Remaining in the city mansion are Simon and John, two former slaves who were raised as Jews in the DeLeon home. With Passover upon them, the three men unite to celebrate the holiday, even as they wrestle with their shared past relationship as master and slave, digging up long-buried family secrets along the way. Slavery and war, they discover, warp even good men's souls. A special Talk Back focusing on black and Jewish relations after the Civil War will follow the Feb. 24 performance. Panel participants will be Rabbi Spivak and a scholar of black history (to be announced). TICKETS: $22 To reserve tickets, bring/mail a check payable to Congregation of Moses to the synagogue by February 1. Write "Whipping Man" on the memo line of your check. By Matthew Lopez Directed by Jennifer Nelson Designed by Dan Conway, Nancy Schertler and Ivania Stack Stage Managed by Karen Currie Featuring Mark Hairston, Alexander Strain and David Emerson Toney PAGE 13

14 BEHIND THE SCENES at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum Sunday, February 10, at 12:45 p.m. Sisterhood members will be treated to a tour of the Historical Collection at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum with Assistant Director Paula Metzner. We will be able to view hundreds of treasures not currently exhibited. After the tour, Paula will lead us in a mystery artifacts demonstration. "What's that?" you ask? Join us Sunday, February 10, at 12:45 p.m. in the Kalamazoo Valley Museum lobby to find out. Feel like gathering for brunch at Andreas's Cafe before the museum tour? It's just two blocks from the museum, so we can walk over following brunch. To assure your seat at this busy cafe, plan to arrive between 11 and11:30 am. Andrea's has a large selection of omelets, salads and sandwiches at reasonable prices. It's located at 224 Michigan Ave. near the north corner of Michigan Ave. and Rose St. There is ample street parking nearby. Call Gerry at with any questions. A little late, but thank you to the volunteers at the Sisterhood Chanukah bazaar: Diane Fogel, Judy Davis, Candi Levene, Tema Lando, Emily Hoffman, Blue Koffron and Kim Rubin. Emily Hoffman Sisterhood President emily.hoffman@wmich.edu (269) SISTERHOOD NEWS PAGE 14

15 Marvin and Rosalie Okun Religious School FEBRUARY Sunday, Feb. 3 Wednesday, Feb. 6 Friday, Feb. 8 Sunday, Feb. 10 Wednesday, Feb. 13 Sunday, Feb. 17 Saturday, Feb. 23 Sunday, Feb. 24 Purim activities important dates to remember Decorate shalach manot boxes Community Shabbat dinner, 6 pm; service led by 5th grade, with songs, poems, prayers led by 1st grade; special "Shalom Oneg" for the principals Bake hamantashen, fill shalach manot boxes Finish shalach manot boxes Purim plays and songs, 11:30 am; lunch and carnival, 12 noon; delivery of shalach manot boxes to congregants Megillah reading No school midwinter break The students and teachers in the Religious School would like to thank the parents who sent fruits for the students to enjoy at our Tu B'Shevat seder in January. Every year we continue the ancient Jewish tradition of conducting a Tu B'Shevat seder by holding one of our own during Religious School. We appreciate the understanding of our students of the importance of this tradition. Morah Gillian always provides us with meaningful prayers and songs to honor this mitzvah of celebrating the holiday of the trees. This year she led kindergarten through 6th grade in songs and prayers, and students in each grade gave creative presentations, which taught us all the importance of trees in the world. G-d's greatest gift to the Jewish people was the Torah, which is compared to the Tree of Life. Just as the Torah is like the Tree of Life, it is also true that many forms of life are dependent upon trees. The tree is also a symbol for a family. The roots symbolize our traditions, and the branches are our children and grandchildren. Come enjoy our annual Purim lunch and carnival! Join us on Sunday, February 17, begining at 12 noon for a Purim lunch sponsored by USY and prepared by the Men's Club and for games provided by USY. Lunch will feature hot dogs, baked beans, chips and juice, and we'll also enjoy hamantashen baked by our Religious School students with help from Beth Grode and USY. The price for lunch is $20 per family, $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Game tickets will cost 25 cents for one or five tickets for $1. Everybody is encouraged to come in costume. Come join the fun! Please keep an eye on the weather and Newschannel 3 for information about Religious School closings. I will call all families to let you know if we are closing school. I will also send out an . Sincerely, Morah Sarah / Susan Welbourne Religious School Principal PAGE 15

16 Tu B' Shevat the Jewish Festival of Trees Jan 25th Trees cost $18. Planted in honor or in memory. JNF will send a lovely certificate to the designated party Hadassah is planting a grove of trees in memory of the victims of the Newtown massacre hadassah. org/newtown Members are encouraged to place their orders online. To purchase trees to plant in Israel, contact Liz Thall at dzt@aol.com or Charlotte Marvin, charlottemarvin@yahoo.com Indicate our chapter- Dorothy Slavin with your order. PAGE 16

17 MEN S CLUB INFO Men s Club members met on Sunday, January 20, to plan several future events. The first was selecting members to participate in the Board/Men s Club Shabbat on February 2. Planning for the Purim lunch on February 17 was discussed, and that will be the date of the next Men s Club meeting at 9:30 a.m. Other events that will be coming up are a bowling event, a golf outing and a Whitecaps baseball game. Please be on the lookout for announcements regarding these events. Any men who wish to participate in the planning should contact Neal Berke or Phil Horwich. Men s Club will be sponsoring a softball team this year. If you wish to play, please contact Ken Goodman. We will be sending out an announcement for our next Sunday afternoon Men s Club movie. Ideas are welcome. We are looking for volunteers to be officers in the upcoming year. The March 10 meeting at 9:30 a.m. will be the time to select the slate, and elections will occur at the April 14 meeting. At that meeting we will plan for our Mother s Day brunch. If you have an idea for a theme, please let us know and better yet attend. Finally, dues for 2013 are due. Please make out a check for $25 to Men s Club and send or drop it off in the COM office. Note that you can also pay using Pay Pal; contact Paul Nimz for details. Best regards, Neal Berke Co-President THE RABBI S RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE GOES TO... Cindy Beer COM members are happy to express appreciation for all that Cindy has accomplished as editor of the Bulletin. She brings professionalism and painstaking attention to the details of editing and appearance that make our Bulletin a pleasure to read. TODAH RABBAH! PAGE 17

18 passover seder reservation form The Passover Seder Committee (Emily Hoffman, David Rosenberg, Ken Goodman, Janet Heller, Julie Northrop, Lee Klingman) is proud to announce our communitywide Seder for Monday, March 25, at 6 p.m. Preparing the kitchen for Passover will begin March 11. Please send in your reservation form as soon as possible to ensure the success of the Seder. This will be a traditional egalitarian Seder service led by Rabbi Spivak with participation by congregants. The dinner will include chicken, brisket, vegetables, potatoes, fruit and macaroons. The price is $20 for a single adult, $40 for a family. If cost is an issue, contact Emily Hoffman ( or emily.hoffman@wmich.edu). If you wish to make an additional donation, it will be gratefully accepted. Please mail your form and payment to Emily Hoffman, 4002 Old Field Trail, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, or drop them off at the synagogue office. Make your check out to Congregation of Moses. PASSOVER SEDER RESERVATON FORM NAME No. of adults No. of children Amount enclosed $ PLEASE INDICATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP BEFORE AND AFTER THE SEDER: Yes No Willing to help clean kitchen Willing to shop in Chicago/Detroit Willing to shop in Kalamazoo Willing to help cook Willing to help clean up PAGE 18 Mail form and payment to Emily Hoffman, 4002 Old Field Trail, Kalamazoo, MI or drop off at the synagogue office. Make your check out to Congregation of Moses.

19 Congregation of Moses Community Shabbat Dinner Friday, February 8, at 6 p.m. Services begin at 7 p.m. and will be led by Marvin and Rosalie Okun Religious School first- and fifth-grade students. PRICES PAID ADVANCE RESERVATIONS: (must be paid by 5 p.m. the Tuesday before the dinner) $10 per adult, $5 per child (or $25 per family) Children 4 and under are free! AT THE DOOR: (please drop your check into the box prior to candle lighting) $12 per adult, $6 per child (or $35 per family) Children 4 and under are free! Please contact Shirley in the synagogue office to make your dinner reservation. Call or comofficemgr@yahoo.com. You may leave your completed reservation form and check in the special box by the synagogue office. COMMUNITY SHABBAT DINNER RESERVATION FORM Date Name(s) Number of adults Number of children over age 4 Amount paid $ PAGE 19

20 DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES New Courses Begin January 27 Study at the Conservative Yeshiva without checking your passport join the Distance Learning program. Students of all Hebrew levels and Jewish learning backgrounds are welcome. Students should be self-motivated and willing to devote 1-2 hours per week to study. Hevruta study with a partner is strongly encouraged for all students including those with no prior experience in hevruta study. Conservative Yeshiva Online students have set up hevruta study in person, by phone and even via Skype. The Conservative Yeshiva s course management system makes online learning easy and fun! Two eight-week courses will be offered: LITTLE BOOKS, BIG VOICES: FOUR MINOR PROPHETS with Rabbi Gail Diamond Join us for a look into some of the lesser known treasures of the Tanach. Habbakuk, Zephaniah, Joel and Haggai prophesied during turbulent times. These small books, part of the Twelve Minor Prophets (Trei Asar), highlight the challenges of the period surrounding the destruction of the first Temple and the beginning of the second Temple. But the sages taught that all the prophecies that were preserved in the Tanach also contain lessons for future generations, and lessons for our lives are to be found too in the big voices of these four prophets. GENDER & JUDAISM with Shoshana Cohen This class will be an exploration of the points at which feminism meets traditional Judaism. We will touch on a range of topics including halacha, Biblical and Rabbinic studies, theology through the distinct and overlapping prisms of traditional textual analysis and feminist theory. We will examine traditional sources for explicit and implicit concepts and biases about gender. In discussion, we will explore the extent to which these traditional concepts apply in our contemporary lives and how they impact our sense of Judaism, the world and ourselves. REGISTER NOW for Conservative Yeshiva Online Learning. TO REGISTER: Please click here and select the online option as your choice of program. Follow the instructions for completing the application. Alumni of the Conservative Yeshiva, please yeshiva@uscj.org to register. TUITION: $200 for the eight week course, $100 for each four week course. A 10% discount will be given to Hevruta partners who sign up together for the class, to alumni of the Conservative Yeshiva and to members of USCJ congregations. If all three apply to you, go ahead and take a 30% discount! Full-time students and USCJ staff register for free! For more information, click here or go to conservativeyeshiva.org and click on Distance Learning. PAGE 20

21 HADASSAH UPDATE French Jewish women do what you think they never do! Come join the fun at our February Hadassah program as our presenter, Dr. Jeffrey Haus, Director of Jewish Studies at Kalamazoo College, shares his research on JEWISH WOMEN IN THE 1800s LIVING IN FRANCE. You ll be surprised, maybe even shocked, at what he s discovered. You can come for lunch, or join us later just for the presentation. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 12:30 p.m. for lunch; presentation begins at 1:30 p.m. PORTAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY 300 Library Lane (off Westnedge Ave) on the Lower Level COST $12 paid in advance for Ample Pantry lunch of croissant tuna salad sandwich, vegetable salad, fruit, dessert and beverage OR $1 paid at the door for those who bring their own lunch or come for the program only. This helps cover our program expenses. Send a check payable to Hadassah to Shannon Dion, 1307 Edington St., Portage RSVP to Shannon, morahrakefet@gmail.com, or , by Monday, Feb 11. Liberty! Equality! Sororite! Toda rabah To the many friends and congregation members who sent cards, donations and other expressions of sympathy on the loss of our beloved dad, thank you very much. We are so grateful for your caring and support. Carolyn and Brad Kennedy Thank you to everyone who made donations to the synagogue, Torah Fund and Hadassah in honor of the engagement of our daughter Devra to Ryan Schmitt. Harvey and Diane Fogel To my friends and fellow congregants, Thank you so much for your cards, tree plantings and contributions that you sent to me honoring my sister, Margaret Gerstle (Margie), at her passing in December. Werner Sichel PAGE 21

22 Camp Keshet 13 FOR CHILDREN FROM PRESCHOOL - 6TH GRADE Please join us for crafts, outdoor activities, cooking, music, dancing and all kinds of fun as we learn about Israel and our Jewish Heritage. Two Israeli counselors will run the camp sharing their love of Israel and Judaism with the children. There will be two field trips, one each week. CAMP WILL BE HELD FOR TWO WEEKS AT COM Monday-Friday, June Monday-Friday, June :30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided COST: $100 per week or $180 for both weeks Registration due by June 1st PAGE 22 Please contact Beth Grode at beth.grode@yahoo.com to register.

23 Yahrzeits February 1, 2, (22 Shevat 28 Shevat) Ann Fine Frieda Friedman* Max Friedman* Morris Friedman* Ralph David Golden* Minnie Graff Brina Hadesman* Hyman Kirschner Evelyn Krasnick* William Leder* Robert Levy* Miriam Epstein Liberman* Sidney Litvak Eli Mindel* Dorothy Masursky Moyer* Lou Sanders* Charlotte Stulberg* Michael Stulberg* Terry Wienir William Zheutlin* Mary Zuravel* February 8, 9, (29 Shevat 5 Adar) Adela Blum-Auerbach* Anna P. Davidoff* Jean Rosenblatt Davis Lilas Felix Sarah Forman* Theodore Forman* James H. Goldman* Rachel Goldstein* Adele Gudovitz Marianne Mimi Katz* Barry W. Kirschner* Betty Levene* Caryn Levene* Balfour Peisner* Canuto Ruiz Michele Arkush Schaff Isadore Schanwald Rebecca Stulberg* Harriet Swartz* Dora Zheutlin February 15, 16, (6 Adar 12 Adar) Helen Rose Aronoff* Benjamin Bennison* Nuchim Buchman* Mary Colef* Aaron Columpus* Sallie L. Cushner* Ethel Duchen-Wachtel* Isaac Escourt* Archie Feinberg Gershon (George) Fisher* Herman Fisher* Alexander Fried* Sylvia Taubman Golde William Greiner* Benjamin Gubin* Marion Halpert* Laura Hoffman Martin Kalb* Arthur Katz Bess L. Peven* Abraham Schensul* Mary Schpok* Minerva Slosberg* Jack Stein* Gale Wienir February 22, 23, (13 Adar 19 Adar) Ernest J. Badt* Ely Behrend* Regina Blum Max Breslow* Rose Harris* Edythe Palmer Leder* Ann Litowich Robert Morrison* Jack Rubel* Harry Schechter Louis Slavin* Samuel E. Stulberg* Kate Weisman* Aaron David Zheutlin * Denotes a plaque in the main sanctuary PAGE 23

24 CONGREGATION OF MOSES 2501 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI (269) PAGE 24