The Shofar. Rabbi Weekends: Nov. 30 Dec. 2, 2007 Jan , 2008 Feb. 29 March 2, 2008 April 11 13, 2008 May 2 4, 2008

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Deirdre McLaughlin
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1 The Shofar We need to speak out in no uncertain terms our support for a united, Jewish Jerusalem as the center of the Jewish future. Israel with out Jerusalem is like Italy without Rome or Greece without Athens. We must remain true to the vision of Israel's na- NOVEMBER 2007 Synagogue Etz Chayim, 7705 Bailey Cove Rd. Huntsville, AL Av 5768 tional anthem- Hatikvah-"to be a free people in our own land, the land of Tzion, Jerusalem. Kol Toov, Rabbi Allan Today,I am preparing to leave to Israel where I hope to become, Gd willing, a grandfather for the first time. For me this is a very emotional time. To have children living as citizens in the land of Israel is a fulfillment of a life long dream--it is vicarious fulfillment of the powerful feelings I felt as a rabbinical student studying 2 years in Jerusalem over 30 years ago. For better or worse, Robin and I choose to do Gd's work in the USA, despite our deep felt conviction that our own lives would be richer as Jews in Israel. The need to teach Torah and lead our communities at home was my youthful,messianic dream. Still the longing for Israel, the sounds of my beloved Hebrew filling life, the sounds of children singing Shabbas zmiros draws me like a magnet. And the eternal holiness of Jerusalem, the city which is our entrance to the Holy of Hollies will always give complete contentment to our souls. Unfortunately, the current leadership of Israel, secular, capitalist does not share the secular mysticism that filled the lives of the founding socialist generation of Israel. In the old days every secular Jew felt the pride of living on the same land that saints, sinners, kings and prophets once inhabited and quickly quoted chapter and verse to show that deep and lasting connection. Today, the secular establishment does not share the mystical attachment to the land nor the Book of Books, both mentioned in the Declaration of the State of Israel as Israel's raison d'etre. To this leadership Jerusalem is not the capital of David's lineage, but just another city, like Haifa and if necessary expendable! Rabbi Allan Meyerowitz to be Honored by Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTSA) JTSA has announced that they will be presenting an honorary Doctorate Degree to Rabbi Allan Meyerowitz in recognition of his accomplishments during his career as a Rabbi in the Conservative Movement. The award will be made at a special convocation at the New York Seminary. The Convocation is Thursday December 13 at 5:45 PM at JTSA Rabbi Weekends: Nov. 30 Dec. 2, 2007 Jan , 2008 Feb. 29 March 2, 2008 April 11 13, 2008 May 2 4, 2008 The Etz Chayim Family is welcoming the Burdeshaw family for joining our congregation. We hope you enjoy our services and partake in all of our current and future activities. The Shofar Page 1 of 6

take a moment to read how our community impacted others less fortunate than us. This year we will be focusing on developing our children s ability and awareness.

2 take a moment to read how our community impacted others less fortunate than us. This year we will be focusing on developing our children s ability and awareness. I hope to broaden our children s sensitivity to other children and people who face and conquer obstacles. Bob will be working on this project for me and will be visiting the classes to work with the children. I'm hoping that our children can grow as Jews and bring understanding and compassion into their world. Family services will be held on December 7, 2007 and will feature the children of our Religious School. This service will include the TBS Consecration and the celebration of Hanukah. The next Tot Shabbat will be November 17, Suzanne Druckman TO HONOR MAX & MILLIE ROSENTHAL ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY Last year, I was very proud of the children when they chose organizations to send our Tzedakah money. This year they will have that same opportunity. We will have a Boker Or to discuss ideas that they can research with their teachers. Parents, you may also make suggestions and share them with your child s class. Inspiration for Tzedakah should come from the heart. It is important for our children to know and understand that their contributions, no matter how big or small, make a significant difference in the lives that they touch. I have posted Thank You letters on my kindergarten room door that the Religious School received last year. Please Thank you Max and Millie (more than you'll ever know) for helping me with just about everything when I moved to Huntsville last November from San Diego, CA. You have been "true and loyal" friends to me and I am proud to know you. Have a happy and healthy 50th and many more! Love, Laurie The Shofar Page 2 of 6

3 Building Fund From: Shirley & Ted Roberts To: Jeff Lapidus Speedy Recovery. We look forward to seeing you at etz Chayim walking on two feet again. From: Glenn Polin High Holiday Contribution To: Jeff Lapidus Speedy Recovery from your ankle surgery. Sisterhood Fund From: Laurie & Charles White In Honor of Max & Millie s 50 th wedding anniversary From: Helen & Monroe Green In Memory of Terry Green From: Pam Thompson To: Sarah & Skyler Mazel Tov on your Bat Mitzvah To Seena & Larry Weinberger Mazel Tov on the birth of your first grandchild. From: Unitarian Universalist Church To: Lynne Edmondson Thank you for your presentation. From: Rose & Ken Opengart High Holiday Donation From: Michal & Gary Hall To: Sabrina Hartman Mazel Tov on your Bat Mitzvah To: Seena & Larry Weinberger Mazel Tov on becoming a grandparent. From: Brenda & Cliff Liles High Holiday donation. From: Dorothy & Bill Goldberg A Thank You from the Hebrew class Outdoor Lighting Fund In Memory of Gertrude and Perry Schlein by their daughters, Natha Hancock and Robin Slomka and their families. Randy Sacks Fund From: Dr. & Mrs. Alan Sacks A generous donation to the fund in Memory of Randy. From: Harriet & Joe Sacks To: Debra Dessau- Speedy Recovery and continued good health. A THOUGHT REGARDING JEWISH EDUCATION I ve been thinking about our children and their education. It s enough to put you in a minor depression. Most of you know I teach Bar Mitzvah. I m not a Jewish scholar - and my specialty is not our ceremonial forms. I m sure you know that too! My specialty is an appreciation of our religion, its message and its value to the world and how it fits into the Christian culture we live in. I often write about this theme. Over the past three years I notice our kids - both Temple and Etz Chayim - getting smarter and busier (though most of them can t, with ease, read Hebrew). But their understanding of Jewish culture - what we used to call Yiddishkeit - is nil, zero, zip. I think our program of joint Sunday School with the Temple needs some augmentation. While the Reform and Conservative sects express their commitment to Judaism differently, our culture and religious practices are threatened by an ever shrinking Jewish population and the absence of Jewish knowledge. Don t get me wrong. The program is worthwhile and a tribute to those (I m thinking of Carolyn and Dennis and others that I don t even know about) who devote their time to it. Teaching Sunday- School is tougher than selling Mezuzahs in Gaza. I know, I ve tried it. I mean teaching Sunday School. But we need more. There s no need to spend 150K on a big room and a new kitchen if, worthy though it may be, in ten years it will be used by the First Methodist Church. I m afraid such will be the case The Shofar Page 3 of 6

4 if our kids don t join us at Synagogue when our current gray generation of doers (machers, my grandfather used to say) leave the bema and the kitchen. OK, let s cut to the chase. Let s talk about a small, elite, group who come to my house only 3 kids, maybe 4. Temple kids, too, are eligible. It s not Sunday School, it s not Hebrew School, it s highly unstructured. It is my attempt to instill an appreciation and understanding of Judaism. And others beside myself may preside. There s much more to be said but that s the basic idea. Age, number of kids, not important now. Is anybody interested? If so call me and I ll elaborate. We say to save a life is to save the whole world: well, to educate one Jewish mind may save our youth. I would be happy if one kid, inspired by his parents wants to sit around my living room and talk. I d enjoy it, maybe they would too. Ted Ted Roberts ("The Scribbler on the Roof"} Website: Blogsite: te11d@hiwaay.net Remember the food pantry on your Oneg. First Stop needs personal hygiene items. Bring a few cans of food when possible. Be sure to visit our website for the latest news TUhttp:// Online Donations are Now Possible Make a donation the Etz Chayim Website using Paypal. Look for at also appear in the Shofar. Help your synagogue, send a Milligram. Call or Millie. SISTERHOOD NEWSLETTER On Monday, October 15 th, an informal gathering of sisterhood members met at O Charley s on Balmoral Drive at 11:30 am, for a Lunch Bunch Gettogether. We had a great turn-out, and it was lots of fun. On Monday, November 19 th, 7:00 pm at the synagogue, we will hold our next General Sisterhood Membership Meeting. Michelle Lapidus will be teaching a class on decorating items for Chanukah. Bring a t-shirt, tote bag, or anything that you wish to decorate and Michelle will assist you. The charge for supplies will be $7.00. (Watch for a postcard in the mail with more details on this upcoming event!) The Gift Shop will be fully stocked at that time to complete your shopping needs. Looking ahead to December, mark your calendar for these upcoming events: The Hadassah joint Sisterhood Luncheon will be held December 5 th. The annual Latke Party scheduled for Sunday, December 9 th at the synagogue. Bingo will be played prior to lunch. The week prior to Christmas, Millie Rosenthal will be looking for volunteers to work at the Help Line Gift Wrapping booth at Parkway City Mall. If you would like to assist, call Millie at More details to follow on all these events!! Shalom, Sue Paddock Sisterhood President MEN S CLUB WHATS A MILLIGRAM?? For a $5.00 per message donation Millie Rosenthal will send a handwritten message from you to acknowledge a Simcha or loss. These donations will Next Meeting Date: November 20, Tuesday, 8:00 Pm At Synagogue. Get Ready The Latke Party, sponsored by the Sisterhood and Men s Club, is The Shofar Page 4 of 6

5 coming in December. Details forthcoming Interfaith mission service: 10 bags of food delivered to food pantry week. Deliveries are made biweekly, to Food Pantry and First Stop. Please keep up the good work. These are vitally needed projects. Simcha and memorial plaques: $50.00 and $75.00 respectively. For further details, please contact Joe Sacks, Thanks and have a great day, every day!!! Joe We met with the city building inspector and fire inspector to discuss both a separate building and an attached building. We have a contractor who gave us a fairly decent input on a "partially finished" separate building and is now working on an estimate for this building if attached to the existing building based on inputs we received from the building inspector. The contractor is supposed to give us his new input by November 5. Following that input we will call a meeting of all the people who have been working on the building committee and lay out a plan and schedule to present to the congregation. The Building Committee will be meeting at 11:45 AM, November 9, 2007 at Etz Chayim. All are encouraged to attend. Max The University of Alabama Hillel, ZBT fraternity and SDT sorority will be hosting a Jewish student recruitment weekend November in Tuscaloosa for all interested 11th and 12th grade students with special events scheduled for parents as well. The weekend will include a meeting with UA president, Dr. Robert Witt, a VIP campus tour, Hillel Shabbat dinner, ZBT band party, tailgate lunch at ZBT & ticket for the UA-LA Monroe football game, Casino party and SDT Sunday brunch. Interested 11th and 12th graders can contact UA Hillel student, Adam Diamond at or ajdiamond@bama.ua.edu Space is limited so respond early! Thanks, Adam Diamond ajdiamond@bama.ua.edu Hillel Treasurer The Webelos Cub Scouts of Miss Monica and Mr. Mark s fourth grade Sunday school class would like to thank all those who generously donated to Operation Stand Down Huntsville. The three day event offered medical care, food, showers and clothing to many of the 150 identified homeless veterans in Huntsville. The event organizer Sandra Childress said They served our country and they deserve the best our country can offer. Pictured is a portion of the donations collected. NOVEMBER Calendar 2007 We just wanted the congregation to know that we are still working on the addition to our building. Date Time Event Place 11/9 11:45 AM 11/11 8:30 AM Building Committee Meeting JWV Breakfast Meeting 11/11 1:00 PM JWV Picnic EC EC Drake Home 11/12 10:15 AM Veteran s Day Parade Clinton St. Jewish Student 11/16 Recruitment -18 Weekend Tuscaloosa 11/17 11:30 AM Tot Shabbat TBS 11/19 7:00 PM Craft Night w/ Michelle Lapidus EC The Shofar Page 5 of 6

6 11/20 8:00 PM Men s Club EC Shabbat, Dec 1 Shabbat Ends: 5:16 PM Parshah: Vayeishev TUhttp:// TUhttp:// Unless otherwise noted Shabbat Services are Friday night 7:30pm, Saturday 9:30am YarTzeitTT Nov 1 Cheshvan 20 Helen Donsky Nov 2 Cheshvan 21 William Polin* Nov 3 Cheshvan 22 Morris Goldberg* Nov 3 Cheshvan 22 Leon Treister* Nov 3 Cheshvan 22 Sam Ginsburg* Nov 6 Cheshvan 25 Dr. Abraham Feitelberg* Nov 7 Cheshvan 26 Joan Zelickson* Nov 9 Cheshvan 28 Rose Feitelberg* Nov 10 Cheshvan 29 Samuel Belsky* Nov 12 Kislev 2 Dr. Harold Isasac Goldman* Nov 12 Kislev 2 Phyllis Warshaw Nov 14 Kislev 4 Suzanne Ivy * Nov 15 Kislev 5 Rose Soble* Nov 15 Kislev 5 Rhonda Beth Baker* Nov 15 Kislev 5 Abraham Belsky* Nov 16 Kislev 6 Molly Levy Buchman Nov 19 Kislev 9 Pauline Baron Kripke* Nov 22 Kislev 12 Margareta Bernstein* Nov-22 Kislev 12 Helene Kamisher* Nov-23 Kislev 13 Gertrude S. Goldberger Nov 27 Kislev 17 Irving Weinberger Anniversaries Nov 6 Nov 13 Natha and Scott Hancock Mante and Arthur Polin Shabbat Onegs & Candle Lighting Fri, Nov 9 Shabbat, Nov 10 Fri, Nov 16 Shabbat, Nov 17 Fri, Nov 23 Shabbat, Nov 24 Fri, Nov 30 Light Candles: 4:28 PM Oneg: Sue & Joe Paddock Shabbat Ends: 5:24 PM Parshah: Toldot Light Candles: 4:23 PM Oneg: Sandra Pepper & Fernando Cerezo Shabbat Ends: 5:20 PM Parshah: Vayeitzei Light Candles: 4:20 PM Oneg: Fred & Linda Kolchin Shabbat Ends: 5:17 PM Parshah: Vayishiach Light Candles: 4:18 PM Oneg: Max & Millie Rosenthal Birthdays Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 5 Nov 9 Nov 11 Nov 16 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 19 Nov 19 Nov 21 Nov 21 Nov 23 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 26 Nov 28 Linda Sue Maier Camille Harris Kelley Zelickson Jennifer Roberts Skylar Green Sharon Yalowitz Shirley Roberts Debra Dessau Jonathan Levitt B.J. Brigadier Daniel Goodman Valoree Sainker Josh Bulgatz Cheyenne Ray Adam Kalachman Haley Rosenthal Shoshana Sanders Bill Goldberg Yael Roberts ETZ CHAYIM BOARD MEMBERS President Dennis Bulgatz Vice-President Jeff Yalowitz Treasurer Michal Hall Recording Secretary Holly Kent Corresponding Secretary Michelle Lapidus Trustees Abbe Adams Brenda Liles Larry Weinberger Larisa Thomason Sam Kleiner Mens Club Representative Joe Sacks Sisterhood Representative Mille Rosenthal Let us know if you currently do not get an version of the Shofar and would like to receive it. sa@etzchayim-hsv.org The Shofar Page 6 of 6

The Shofar. Rabbi Weekends: Jan , 2008 Feb. 29 March 2, 2008 April 11 13, 2008 May 2 4, 2008

The Shofar. Rabbi Weekends: Jan , 2008 Feb. 29 March 2, 2008 April 11 13, 2008 May 2 4, 2008 The Shofar January 2008 Synagogue Etz Chayim, 7705 Bailey Cove Rd. Huntsville, AL 35803 Av 5768 Last Yom Kippur I spoke about the Hunstville impact on my life. How the joy of sharing Shabbas with the wonderful