COM bulletin. Joshua Nelson: Prince of Kosher Gospel. Plan for an energizing musical weekend Nov INSIDE SPECIAL EVENTS

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1 COM bulletin CONGREGATION OF MOSES Kalamazoo, Michigan Volume 5, Issue 10 October 1, 2013 Tishrei - Cheshvan 5774 INSIDE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE page 7 GETTING TO KNOW YOU page 8 LIBRARY page 10 RABBI'S MESSAGE page 13 MEN'S CLUB page 14 SISTERHOOD page 18 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL page 19 YAHRZEITS page 23 SPECIAL EVENTS JOINT SHABBAT SERVICE October 4 SISTERHOOD MEMBER BRUNCH October 6 LIBRARY PROGRAM: MAGGIE ANTON October 20 RABBI'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY October 27 Joshua Nelson: Prince of Kosher Gospel Plan for an energizing musical weekend Nov The Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan and the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music are very excited to bring the Jewish gospel singer Joshua Nelson to Kalamazoo for a thrilling and eventful weekend. Nicknamed the Prince of Kosher Gospel, Nelson has created a unique, fresh style of music by infusing traditional Jewish liturgical songs with the inspirational energy of American gospel. It's a sound derived from his dual heritages as an African-American and a Jew. Dear Congregants, Nelson will lead Friday night services at Temple B nai Israel in Kalamazoo on Nov. 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. and will join in on Learner s Shabbat at the Congregation of Moses on Saturday, Nov. 9, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Then Sunday, Nov. 10, will begin with a Concert Teaser," followed by a special brunch at 11:30 a.m. The finale will be a 7 p.m. Michigan Festival of Sacred Music concert at the Congregation of Moses. Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan I have volunteered to serve on the Board of the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music as a representative from the larger Jewish community. I follow Rabbi Spivak, who was a founding member of this Board, and Marilyn Feinberg, who also served on the MFSM Board. I am writing to remind you to attend not only the Nov. 10 Josh Nelson concert that COM is hosting but also to encourage you to attend the other fine concerts the Festival is presenting the first two weeks of November. You can find more information about the Festival at mfsm.us. Thank you, Shirley M. Wise 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 Tema Lando st Vice President Beth Grode nd Vice President Mike Koffron Treasurer Ed Goldenthal Secretary Connie Bowman Immediate Past President Tamara Norman Past President Shirley Wise Synagogue Staff Rabbi Harvey Spivak Religious School Principal Susan Katz-Scheinker Office Manager Shirley Mengel Building Manager Rod Anderson Rabbi Spivak's 25th Aniversary Celebration Sunday, October 27, at 5 p.m. By now you have saved this date several times. That is good; we want all of our congregants to be there! You should have received in the mail your invitation, as well as a flyer explaining how to buy space in our Tribute Book. If you have not done so already, please return your reservation card and payment to the synagogue office, as well as your tribute statement for the Tribute Book (please indicate the amount of space you want to buy) and your check. By the time you see this notice it will be pretty late, so please do this today! This is a major event in our synagogue's life, so please let us all celebrate together. For the Rabbi's 25th Celebration Committee, Werner Sichel, Chair 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. PAGE 2 269

3 Shabbat service schedule FRIDAY October 4 SATURDAY October 5 FRIDAY October 11 SATURDAY October 12 FRIDAY October 18 SATURDAY October 19 FRIDAY October 25 SATURDAY October 26 7:30 p.m. Joint Service with Temple B nai Israel and Temple Beth El at Temple B nai Israel Announcements: Tema Lando 9:30 a.m. Torah: Genesis 6:9-8:14 Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24,23 Dave Rosenberg Announcements: Maxine Berke 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Rae Lee Howard 9:30 a.m. Torah: Genesis 12:1-13:18 Michelle Angel Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16 Judah Ari-Gur Announcements: Joe Hirschfield 7 p.m. Community Shabbat dinner begins at 6 p.m. Announcements: Beth Grode 9:30 a.m. Torah: Genesis 18:1-18:33 Brad Hershbein Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37 Rabbi Spivak Announcements: Richard Kirschner 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Connie Bowman 9:30 a.m. Torah: Genesis 23:1-24:9 Earl Norman Haftarah: I Kings 1:1-31 Michelle Angel Announcements: Ken Goodman Shabbat candle lighting times Barucha for candle lighting OCTOBER 4 OCTOBER 11 OCTOBER 18 OCTOBER 25 7:03 p.m. 6:51 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 6:29 p.m. Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav vetzivanu l hadlik ner shel Shabbat. PAGE 3

4 October calendar SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 Board Meeting 7:30 pm 2 Yoga 5-6 pm 3 4 Joint Shabbat service with Temple B nai Israel & Temple Beth El at TBI 7:30 pm 5 6 Men s Club Meeting 9:30 am 7 8 Hadassah Board Meeting 10 am 9 Yoga 5-6 pm Bulletin and monitor deadline 5 pm 12 Sisterhood Membership Brunch 11 am Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 pm 16 Yoga 5-6 pm Community Shabbat Dinner 6 pm Services 7 pm Adult Ed Program with Maggie Anton: 10 am Kids' Program; 10:30 am Brunch; 11:15 Adult Lecture; 12:30 Book Signing 21 Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm Yoga 5-6 pm Shabbat services with guest cantor Stuart Rapaport 27 Essential Jewish Ideas 11:30-12:30 Rabbi s 25th Anniversary Celebration 5 pm Yoga 5-6 pm 31 PAGE 4

5 November calendar SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT Board Meeting 7:30 pm 6 Yoga 5-6 pm Learner's Shabbat with Joshua Nelson 9:30 am 10 Brunch with Joshua Nelson 11:30 am Hadassah Program TBA 13 Yoga 5-6 pm Sisterhood Shabbat 16 Sisterhood Shabbat Festival of Sacred Music with Joshua Nelson 7 pm 17 Men s Club Meeting 9:30 am Essential Jewish Ideas 11:30 am -12:30 pm 18 Bulletin and monitor deadline 5 pm Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm 19 Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 pm 20 Yoga 5-6 pm Special Seyburn Kiddush 24 Hanukkah Bazaar 9:30 am -12:30 pm Hanukkah Lunch prepared by Men s Club No Religious School 28 Happy Thanksgiving! Synagogue office closed 29 Synagogue office closed 30 PAGE 5

6 Mishpacha MAZEL TOV TO... Richard and Patricia Kirschner on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Taylor Hodgson SPEEDY RECOVERY WISHES TO... Paul Wiener CONDOLENCES TO OUR FRIENDS Saraphoena Koffron and family on the passing of her father, William B. Austin GENERAL FUND Mazel Tov to Richard and Patricia Kirschner on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Taylor Hodgson. Wishing Paul Wiener a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Saraphoena Koffron and family on the passing of her father, William B. Austin. Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Joanne & Mike Simon, Phil Horwich, Shirley Wise & Frank Szopo, Men s Club In loving memory of my husband, Bertram Zheutlin. Condolences to Gary Kushner and family on the passing of their father, Alvin Kushner. BUILDING FUND Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds Marilyn Zheutlin and family Allan & Linda Gale Mazel Tov to Richard and Patricia Kirschner on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Taylor Hodgson. Wishing Paul Wiener a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Saraphoena Koffron and family on the passing of her father, William B. Austin. Tamara & Earl Norman, Sallie & Ken Goodman, Werner Sichel Mazel Tov to Rob and Shanna Hodgson on the birth of their daughter, Eve Taylor Hodgson. Condolences to Stephen Koss and family on the passing of his mother, Winifred Koss. Condolences to Gary Kushner and family on the passing of his father, Alvin Kushner. In honor of the special birthday of Shirley Grekin. In memory of Fay Ginsberg. In memory of Marcia Kalb. Werner Sichel Werner Sichel, Randie, Terry, David and Debbie, Barbara Blonz Carol McCain, Nina Neish & Fayth Neish Mary L. Tyler & her children, Judy & Ed Davidson MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Mazel Tov to Richard and Patricia Kirschner on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Taylor Hodgson. Wishing Paul Wiener a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Saraphoena Koffron and family on the passing of her father, William A. Austin. The Fischell Family, Judy & Lowell Seyburn Condolences to Beatrice Stein and family on the passing of her husband, Larry. Condolences to Barbara and Ben Polsky and Marilyn and Bud Schlain on the passing of Robert Schlain. Judy & Lowell Seyburn PAGE 6

7 HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND Mazel Tov to Richard and Patricia Kirschner on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Taylor Hodgson. Wishing Paul Wiener a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Saraphoena Koffron and family on the passing of her father, William A. Austin. Marilyn & Art Feinberg RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND In loving memory of my father, William Norman. In loving memory of my mother, Martha Loeser. Earl Norman Marjorie Gaynor President s Message Dear COM members, This past month of September (Tishrei) is my favorite. It is really a very busy month: the High Holidays, so special and beautiful; building a sukkah to celebrate Sukkot, culminating with Simchat Torah. During the High Holiday services, sitting at the bima gave me the opportunity to see our members, guests and college students participate in prayer chanting, personal meditations and reflections from the Rabbi's sermons. It was really a great sight, our voices in unison, asking God for opportunities to make amends with ourselves and our fellow human beings. Todah rabah to Rabbi Spivak, Cantor Hendler and to the Religious Activities Committee for making our High Holiday services go so smoothly. Sukkot is such a fun holiday. Thank you to the Men's Club for putting up the sukkah. We were sure ready for the lulav and etrog shaking, especially when our sukkah was so beautifully decorated by our Religious School students. Simchat Torah what a treat for me this year. Everyone was happily celebrating, and dancing with the light Torah was so meaningful. Thanks to the Zimmerman Fund, we were able to purchase this beautiful light Torah. For the Yom Kippur pledge drive, we reached 60 percent of our goal, and I'd like to thank all of our members who sent in their pledge cards. As you know, your contribution to the General Fund helps with our day-to-day operations. Todah rabah for your financial support. October brings big events to COM. On Friday, Oct. 4, our congregation will join Temple B'nai Israel and Temple Beth El for a special Shabbat service at Temple B'nai Israel. This is the first of three joint services. We will combine prayers and English readings. Come and join us! It is really great to learn and enrich our souls from both the Conservative and Reform approaches. For other events in October, please check the COM calendar of events in this bulletin or on our website. Our Jewish community and the Congregation of Moses are so lucky to have with us Rabbi Harvey Spivak. He has led and taught us with his gentle manner for 25 years. So let's celebrate his Silver Anniversary with COM with a fantastic evening event by making your presence count on Sunday, Oct. 27. Please make sure to send in your reservation. Thank you to the Rabbi's 25th Anniversary Committee for your commitment and dedication to making this special event happen! It is going to be great! B' Shalom, Tema Lando President PAGE 7

8 I returned to the University of Wisconsin in 1965 to earn an M.S. and a Ph.D. in fermentation chemistry and then went to law school, earning my J.D. in FEATURING Bruce Stein & Christy Chuang-Stein Written by Bruce Stein Photo by Carolyn Kennedy was born in Chicago in 1941 to Sam I. Stein, a I psychiatrist who was head of the Cook County Juvenile Court mental health, and Gertrude B. Stein, a medical technician. Subsequently my two brothers were born Jay, now an orthopedist in Miami, and Joe, a cardiologist in San Diego. We lived near Broadway and Devon until I was age 10, at which time my parents moved to Skokie. I became a Bar Mitzvah at B'nai Zion in Chicago and attended high school at Niles (East), where I ran cross country and track and played basketball. After earning a degree in pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin, I worked for two years as a pharmacist in Chicago doing relief work at about a dozen pharmacies. It was while working at Sargents at 23 N. Wabash that I started my antique pharmacy collection after discovering that the business was discarding 100-year-old pharmacy bottles from the basement to make room for new merchandise. Now I have more than 300 antique Rx bottles, dozens of mortar-and-pestles, balances with marble tops, two sets of rare show globes, a pill roller, an old Vicks vaporizer where you use a very small kerosene lamp to vaporize the medicament, and many other antiques. When I came to Kalamazoo in 1973, I joined the Congregation of Moses and The Upjohn Company as a patent attorney. Over 25 years, I drafted and prosecuted about 300 patents, argued appeals, conducted interferences and negotiated and drafted license agreements. I also helped the Upjohn agriculture division with its Plant Variety Protection Act litigation. Since I was a city kid from Chicago who did not know a soy bean plant from an apricot tree, I probably had the worst background of anyone to do agricultural litigation. But it was fun because unlike patent litigation, which requires teams of attorneys, tens of thousands of documents and as long as a year to litigate, agriculture litigation was done in a day or two, required only one trial attorney and just one briefcase worth of evidentiary documents. The Asgrow v. Winterboer case reported in the Kalamazoo Gazette was my case. I participated in the U.S. District Court proceeding, argued the appeal at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington and managed the case at the Supreme Court (we won 7-1). During this time I met John Roberts, now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. At the time I had three children David, Eva and Jenny. After school I often brought Jenny to my office to do her homework until I was done for the day. On one particular day I needed the restroom so I gave her some change to use at the vending machines. When I came back she was talking to a beautiful Chinese lady who I recognized as working on the floor above me in biostatistics. Jenny said, "Dad, meet Christy," and that began the Stein-Chuang merger. We married in 1987, and Isaac was born in Christy was born in Taiwan in After earning her undergraduate degree in mathematics, she came to the U.S. and received a Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Minnesota. She joined The Upjohn Company after five years at the University of Rochester (N.Y.). Two corporate (continued on page 9) PAGE 8

9 RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES REPORT Shanah Tovah! We hope that the New Year is off to a grand start for all! Thank you to everyone who participated in making our High Holydays smooth and wonderful. We hope that your name was proudly displayed in the Yom Kippur program. Very special thanks go to Mike Siegel for providing and setting up a speaker in the sanctuary, as he so graciously does every year for our High Holyday services. It was a shame that we were unable to hold our "usual" Sukkah Hop this year, but we hope that participation in the Federation event was enjoyable. Valerie Eisenberg and Michelle Angel Religious Activities Committee Co-Chairs Getting To Know You (from page 8) mergers and an acquisition later, she is now working for Pfizer from home. She has held various positions in her career. Currently, she is the Head of Statistical Research and Consulting Center. Christy has a daughter, Terresa, from a previous marriage. Terresa lives with her husband in Taiwan, where she works for a cultural consulting firm and her husband holds a management position at a pharmaceutical company. All four of my children became b'nai mitzvot at the COM. David, who lives in Plainwell, is a computer programmer specializing in automotive computers and does the programming for the new Harley Davidson motorcycles. Eva passed away in 2002 from breast cancer. Jenny, who lives in Golden, Colo., works for the National Park Service, and Isaac is a third-year medical student at the University of Michigan. I have served on the COM Board of Directors twice and presently serve on the Facilities Operating Committee, which I have chaired for the past seven years. In the community, I have served on the boards of Planned Parenthood and Legal Aid and also volunteered at Portage Central High School, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Youth Offender Training Program. But I was most involved with the American Civil Liberties Union, serving on its board for 15 years and as chairperson for 11 of those years. The Stein v. Plainwell prayer at (public) high school graduation case prohibiting religious prayer was my case. In addition to overseeing the litigation, I did press conferences, debates and talks. Upon leaving Pharmacia I became a contractor for Pharmacia, then Of Counsel to a Grand Rapids intellectual property law firm. Now I am mostly retired but continue to consult and teach patent law twice a year for Portage Continuing Education. In 1999, I developed sleep apnea and have used a BiPAP machine since then. Because Mayo reported that 90+ percent of those who die at night of heart attacks have untreated sleep apnea, I saw a real need for public education and began teaching a course locally twice a year on sleep apnea. I also wrote a book titled Sleep Apnea and CPAP - A User's Manual by a User. Rather than go through the hassle of the publishing process, I started Kalamazoo Publishing (KP) ( com) and published it myself. Since then I also published "Abraham s Tears," a novel I wrote about the Middle East. For recreation I enjoy golf and travel. We enjoy renting motor homes and having the freedom to go where we like and change plans easily. When in Norway we heard of Legoland, so we changed our itinerary, put the motor home on a barge and went to play with Legos! Business and pleasure have taken me to all 50 states and five continents. We plan to vacation in South America in December, which will make it six continents. Since 2009, Christy and I have spent the winters hiding from the cold and snow at our condo in Palm Harbor, Fla., a suburb of Tampa. For those of you thinking of spending the winter in a warm area of the country, I highly recommend the Palm Harbor area. PAGE 9

10 Sunday October 20 at the Congregation of Moses 2501 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo free and open to the public 10:00 am - 10:45 am Kids' Program Jewish Magic, Medieval Style For kids 4th grade and up (including amulet making!) 10:30 am - 11:15 am Brunch 11:15 am - 12:30 pm Adult Lecture Women, Sorcery and Love in the Talmud [yes, it's really in there]. 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Book Signing Maggie Anton is the award-winning author of the historical fiction series Rashi's Daughters, the young adult novel Rashi s Daughter, Secret Scholar, and Rav Hisda's Daughter. She is an avid student of Talmud, with expertise in Jewish women's history. The first book of her new series, Rav Hisda s Daughter: A Novel of Love, the Talmud, and Sorcery, was selected for the 2012 National Jewish Book Award in Fiction and was Library Journal s choice in 2012 for the Best in Historical Fiction. More information at (269) or library@congregationofmoses.org The Fisher Library Ms. Anton is on FaceBook at the Congregation of Moses is Southwest Michigan's largest independent Jewish Library, serving the entire community. Special thanks to the Congregation of Moses Adult Education Committee for its generous support. PAGE 10

11 community announcements Sprucing up the grounds On Sunday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon, Scott Watson, an intern at Bridge Church in Portage, and eight to 10 church members will be at COM to do service work along the back drive removing vines and unwanted vegetation from the pine tree area. Please join us in thanking them by participating in the work project alongside them. Bruce Stein on behalf of the Facilities Operating Committee Bid now for prime parking Two parking spaces in the synagogue parking lot are up for auction for the year beginning in September. Minimum bid is $200. Contact Gerry Tregerman at (269) to make a bid Jewish calendars Jewish calendars are here! You'll find them on the table in front of the synagogue office. Thanks to Rosalie and Marvin Okun for providing the calendars for our members. Judy and Lowell Seyburn invite the congregation and friends to join them on Saturday, Nov. 23, for a pre-thanksgiving Kiddush luncheon immediately after services in celebration of Judy's retirement as a physical therapist after 40+ years at Bronson and Judy and Lowell's 44th wedding anniversary. A warm welcome... to three new member families who recently joined the Congregation of Moses. If you haven't already done so, please be sure to introduce yourself to them and welcome them to our synagogue family! They are: Alan Cohen Lauren and Jason Strongin and their two children, Abigail (Abby) and Zachary (Zach) Adam Kahn and Hillary Howard EARLY DEADLINE for November bulletin Please note that the copy deadline for the November COM bulletin is significantly earlier than usual: MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 Submissions received after the deadline will be held for the December issue, so please plan ahead. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation! PAGE 11

12 Congregation of Moses Community Shabbat Dinner Friday, October 18, at 6 p.m. Services begin at 7 p.m. and will be led by Marvin and Rosalie Okun Religious School Pre-K/Kindergarten, 1st-grade and High School 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 12

13 Rabbi s message Here are my remarks at the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Bronson Park this year: There is an ancient Jewish tradition of lighting a candle each year on the anniversary of a loved one s death. In lighting the candle, we are saying that another year has passed but we still remember you. Today s commemoration is a memorial candle for the 3,000 who died on this day. We are saying: another year has passed but we still remember you. We cherish the memory of those who died. We honor the first responders in the police and fire departments who endangered their lives in many cases sacrificed their lives in an effort to rescue others. We remember. 9/11 was 12 years ago, but in a very real sense it is still in the present and will remain in our future. We were attacked because the United States is a freedom-loving country. We were attacked in a deliberate act of war by people who hate personal liberty, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. Each year, as we light a candle on this day, we are obliged to promise that we will not give up our liberty to tyrants. We are equally obliged to promise that we will not give up our liberty to those who want to steal it away slowly, by degrees, step by step. We ask God to help us guard our liberty and guard the values that make this country unique. Finally, on this day and every day we thank God for the high privilege of being citizens of the United States of America. Rabbi Harvey Spivak GUEST CANTOR ON OCT. 26 Stuart Rapaport, the cantor at Ahavas Israel, the Conservative synagogue in Grand Rapids, will be guest cantor at the Congregation of Moses. Cantor Rapaport isn t a stranger to our synagogue. He visited as a member of the youth group many times, especially during the era of Rabbi Movsky. So he has fond memories of the people who were advisors to our youth group at that time, such as the Kalbs, Fishers and Sofens, among others. Grand Rapids is his home town and he received his religious education at Ahavas Israel. He went to Michigan State University to earn a degree in business, and he s had an auto parts business in Grand Rapids for many years. While he does not have formal musical training, he learned how to use his beautiful voice to lead services from Moshe Rosenfeld, the cantor at Ahavas Israel. Cantor Rapaport has held that position now for 36 years. Please join us for Shabbat morning services with Stuart Rapaport on October 26. 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 more than 40 therapists in two locations most insurances accepted Kalamazoo Office (269) Director: Larry Beer, Ed.D. Portage Office (269) Director: Tim Howard, Ed.D. Treating people right for 24 years PAGE 13

14 MEN S CLUB INFO The Men s Club has been very active this summer and holiday season. At the annual summer picnic, the Men s Club chefs barbecued the hamburgers and hot dogs. The Men s Club set up the Break-Fast, sponsored by the Lando family. The workers included Paul Nimz, Phil Horwich and Bruce Patrick who prepared the food. Additional setup and cleanup helpers included Lee Klingman, Earl Norman, Paul Solomon and one other. Paul Nimz, Mickey Koss, Steve Koss, Phil Horwich, Brad Hershbein, Earl Norman, Al Rosenthal, Neal Berke and new member Steve Richman put up the succah on Sept. 15. We were assisted by Blue Koffron, Rachel Wolf and Naomi Verne from our Religious School's high school class. On Sept. 29, the Men s Club will take the succah down at 8:30 a.m. and then assist in the tree trimming along the synagogue's back driveway from 9 a.m. until noon. Please come and help out and bring any chain saws and other equipment for trimming that you have. UPCOMING MEN'S CLUB EVENTS Sunday, Oct. 6: There will be a general planning meeting at 9:30 a.m. That evening the Jewish Federation needs volunteers for calling donors. Sunday, Oct. 20: The Men s Club will be providing a light nosh for the Fisher Library's guest speaker program. Sunday, Nov. 10: The Men s Club is setting up the brunch for the Michigan Sacred Music Festival. Sunday, Nov. 17: A 9:30 a.m. general meeting will include planning for the Chanukah party and other upcoming events. Sunday, Dec. 15: At 9:30 a.m. we'll have a Men s Club breakfast in which we plan to have a speaker. Details will follow. This event will be open to the community. Also, stay tuned for movie dates. We select movies that you wouldn t see with your significant other. Note that we normally start meetings at 9:30 a.m., which is convenient to men dropping their children off at Religious School. Shana Tovah to all, Neal Berke, President nealsberke@gmail.com PAGE 14

15 THE TALMUD This year's subject for "The Essential Jewish Ideas" is the Talmud, with the focus on the early section of the Talmud called the Mishnah. No other work has had a comparable influence on the theory and practice of Jewish life, shaping spiritual content and serving as a guide to conduct, writes Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. We will read parts of the Mishnah in translation and become acquainted with the personalities and ideas that shaped Judaism into the religion we know today. It s an easy and enjoyable way to add to your basic Jewish knowledge. The Essential Jewish Ideas SUNDAY, OCT :30 AM - 12:30 PM JOINT SHABBAT SERVICE Friday, OCTOBER 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Temple B'nai Israel THREE CONGREGATIONS ONE VERY SPECIAL SHABBAT SERVICE Join with us as the congregations of COM, Temple B'nai Israel and Temple Beth El come together for a combined Shabbat service at Temple B'nai Israel (4409 Grand Prairie Rd., Kalamazoo). This will be the first of three Joint Shabbat Services planned for the new year. DECEMBER 6 Temple Beth El (Battle Creek) at 8 p.m. MARCH 7 Congregation of Moses at 7:30 p.m. PAGE 15

16 ETZ CHAIM ENDOWMENT FUND FOREVER MEMBERS Death May be Inevitable, But Our Good Deeds Live On! CONGREGATION OF MOSES PAGE 16

17 ETZ CHAIM FUND for the Future of the Congregation of Moses An endowment is forever. Let your name be remembered as a blessing. The intention of the Etz Chaim Funds is to make it possible for the Jewish community of Kalamazoo to continue to have its religious and social needs met in the century ahead. We anticipate that eventually it will support about one-third of the synagogue s budget, allowing dues to remain reasonable for future members. A goal of Etz Chaim is that all members of the Congregation will provide bequests to support this long-term vision. Each year we recognize those whose forethought has been shared with us through the annual Scroll of Honor." We remember with great fondness Jehiel Israelson and acknowledge the thoughtfulness of Jehiel and Margaret for the bequest realized from his estate in We also appreciate the forethought of Stanley Besbris and Leslie Davis whose bequests were given to the synagogue in In other approaches to benefiting our community, an endowment set up to memorialize Ruby and Eugene Field provides annual income to the synagogue s Etz Chaim Fund. Fred Libin provided a gift to the Etz Chaim Endowment in 2011 which is generating income along with our other endowed funds. In 2010, the corpus from a Charitable Remainder Unitrust established by David and Celia Davidoff was transferred to Etz Chaim. Furthermore, we appreciate greatly the annual gifts to Etz Chaim from Rabbi and Natalie Spivak and from Terry and Jacquie Jackson, as well as the occasional gifts from others. Is the Congregation of Moses named as a beneficiary of your Will or Trust? Do you have a Will or Trust prepared to protect the interests of your family and to support your charitable intentions? There are many approaches that can support your charitable wishes, and we can help you identify an approach that will best meet your needs. The Stewards of Etz Chaim would be glad to discuss the issue and approaches with you. Please contact Ed Goldenthal, Ken Goodman, Richard Kirschner, Joanne Krell, Tamara Norman, Werner Sichel, Elizabeth Siegel or Shirley Wise. PAGE 17

18 SISTERHOOD NEWS Sisterhood welcomes our newest volunteers to the Gift Shop Susan Welbourne and Laurel Ofstein. Thanks so much for stepping up. Remember that the Gift Shop is an ongoing fundraiser for our Religious School. Sisterhood Membership Brunch The Early Jewish History of Kalamazoo Kalamazoo curator Tom Dietz will be our speaker at this year's Membership Brunch on October 6. He will discuss Early Jewish History of Kalamazoo. Tom has been the Curator of Research at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum since In that position, he is responsible for researching the historical content of permanent and temporary exhibitions. He developed and offered public programs focusing on various aspects of the history of Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan. He has also supervised the development and care of the permanent historical collections. Tom has worked in museums since His previous position was Curator of Urban History at the Detroit Historical Museum. We hope you will join us for a delicious brunch and interesting discussion. This event is open to both men and women. Non-members will be charged $5 per person. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, AT 11 A.M. FALL IS HERE! Turn over a new LEAF and purchase more of your everyday goods with SCRIP gift cards. For a full merchant list, go to scrippro.com. Thank you. PAGE 18

19 Marvin and Rosalie Okun Religious School OCTOBER important dates to remember October 18 October 20 November 9 November 10 November 17 November 24 Community Shabbat Dinner, 6 p.m./shabbat services, 7 p.m. Special Library program with author Maggie Anton, 10 a.m. Learner s Shabbat (Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation) with special guest musician Josh Nelson Josh Nelson Concert cosponsored by Jewish Federation Maccabeats Concert at Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids Hanukkah Latke Party/Hanukkah Bazaar September was an energizing month! Not only did we begin our school year together, we found many holidays awaiting our participation. Todah rabah to Morah Jamie/Jamie Peters and Morah Lexie/Lexie Sittsamer for leading Tot Services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We appreciate your generosity and creativity. Todah rabah once again to the Men s Club for assembling the sukkah. Our students had great fun working together to decorate the sukkah. What an amazing contribution from Rachel Wolf and Naomi Verne to create new ways in decorating the sukkah this year we had murals, apple pictures and leaves along with the traditional paper chains! Our fabulous volunteers, Sidney Angel, Shoshanah Grode and Tamar Grode, prepared some of the crafts, too, and hung all of the decorations. We are so fortunate. Moving into October... Friday, Oct. 18, is our first Community Shabbat Dinner of the year, starting at 6 p.m. Leading services are the PreK/Kindergarten class with Morah Jamie, the 1st-grade class with Moreh Adam and the High School class led by Rabbi Spivak. On Sunday, Oct. 20, we will be fortunate to participate in the Fisher Library's special author program with Maggie Anton. Todah rabah to Rachel Haus for orchestrating this program. At 10 a.m., grades 4 and above will meet Ms. Anton, hear about her book and make a special project. There is a program for adults, too, including a book signing and brunch. Sunday, Oct. 27, the congregation is fortunate to honor Rabbi Harbey Spivak for 25 years of spiritual leadership. There is a special program planned for that evening. Mark your calendars for Learner s Shabbat, Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation, Saturday, Nov. 9. We will also be honored to experience the musical talent of Josh Nelson, our special guest. B Ahava, Morah Susan/Susan Katz-Scheinker Religious School Principal PAGE 19

20 HADASSAH UPDATE What a day for a walk! Our chapter leads the way for 'Every Beat Counts' Hadassah s first Walkathon, held September 8 in the Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, was a great success. More than 60 adults and children, and a few dogs, came together to do something good for themselves and Hadassah, while sharing each other s company, enjoying a beautiful setting and having time to reflect on goals for the New Year. The theme Every Beat Counts is a new initiative from Hadassah s National Office and we are proud to say that our chapter was the first one in the country to use the theme on a project. The program educates women about risks, prevention and detection of heart disease, the number-one cause of death among women in the U.S. and worldwide. The amazing feat of organizing the Walkathon in four weeks, something that would normally have taken three to six months, goes to Micki Verne, Shannon Dion, Raye Ziring, Emily Hoffman, Judy Davis and Nan Goldenthal. The entire Hadassah Board solicited for advertisers, and many members and spouses helped run the event in the park. Please remember to patronize our sponsors Child & Family Psychological Services, I.H.S. Distributors, Morris Rose Auto Parts, Dr. Ken Goodman, Don Thall, Anne Arbetter Fischell and Jacob Weintraub as well as our Friends Bruce Schultz, Joshua Weiner, Mike McKeeby, Ann and Robert Schiff, MC Sporting Goods and Lana s Boutique. Their support enabled us to custom-print T-shirts, buy Frisbees for the kids, pay for miscellaneous expenses and offer door prizes. The bottles of water, fruit and granola bars were provided by D&W Fresh Foods (Parkview and Romence) and Hardings Market (Westnedge and Woodbridge). Hadassah members Dr. Myral Robbins and Charlotte Marvin donated their expertise, respectively, in the emergency medical tent and giving chair massages to participants after the walk. Other members donated wristbands, face tattoos, emergency bandages, bags of ice, red bandanas for the workers, a menorah mat and an Ample Pantry gift certificate. The door prizes were won by Liz Thall, Beth Morrison, Micki Verne and Judy Davis. Because of our many participants and supporters, we raised more than $1,500 to go toward heart research at Hadassah, and I hope made many new friends of young women who have not attended a Hadassah event before now. Rae Lee, Mabel and Tema Great wristbands! PAGE 20

21 Liz and Don Tema, Sal, Mabel, Jenna, Jami, Jordon, RaeLee Shira, Nava and Mazal with tattoos Miriam (r) and friend Grace Michelle, Eliana and Rachel Charlotte and Ken Myral and the medical tent PAGE 21

22 October 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 BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES 10/3 Norman Marshall 10/5 Harvey Fogel 10/12 Maxine Berke 10/14 Brad Hershbein 10/22 Jonathan Berke 10/22 Neal Berke 10/24 Judy Seyburn 10/25 Cheryl Isley 10/31 Isaac Rubin 10/4 Mac and RaeLee Howard 10/20 Emily & David Green 10/21 Carolyn & Brad Kennedy 10/23 Valerie & Ken Eisenberg - wishing Mazel Tov on their 40th Anniversary! 10/28 Sallie & Ken Goodman - wishing Mazel Tov on their 20th Anniversary! SAY 'YES' TO D&W DAYS AND EARN EASY MONEY FOR COM! Purchases made with your yes card will automatically be credited to COM s account. If you don t have a yes card, contact the synagogue office for information on getting one. COM will benefit when you show your card while making purchases on these dates: September October November 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 PAGE 22

23 Yahrzeits October 4, 5, (1 Heshvan 7 Heshvan) Molly Berman* Martin Bonne Julian Doggett Paul Gerber* Dora Goldberg* Leon Grossman* Susan Joan Horwitz Julius Hyman* Hyman Kalb* David Kruglak* Isadore Kushner* Fae Okun* Morris Rose* Isadore Sklansky* October 11, 12, (8 Heshvan 14 Heshvan) Frank Brot* Herman B. Fine Anita Gilman* Abraham Goldsmith* Cherie Gubin* Isadore Gubin* Tillie Kalb* Bernice I. Kurlandsky* Frieda H. Levene* Seymour Levey Bernice Mindel* Solomon Schwartz* Elijah Seeder* Maurice Shinberg* Bernard Willage* October 18, 19, (15 Heshvan 21 Heshvan) Sylvia S. Badt* Tillie Columpus* Morris Dinerman* Maurice Garson* Ben Halpert* Fayga Hyman Adele D. Klein Albert W. Knapp* Manuel M. Konigsberg* Joe Pollens Jerrold M. Raffel* Milton Ruden Eva Stein James Strauss October 25, 26, (22 Heshvan 28 Heshvan) Israel Blasky* Lucy Anna Feinberg Agnes Halpert* Nathan Heckman* Ruth LaVene* Benjamin Lowenson Meyer Reingold* Abraham Schwartz Rabbi Abraham Tuchman Sophia Willage* * Denotes a memorial plaque in the synagogue PAGE 23

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