CoM bulletin. The Care and Feeding of a New Rabbi VISIT US! CONGREGATION OF MOSES Kalamazoo, Michigan

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1 CoM bulletin CONGREGATION OF MOSES Kalamazoo, Michigan Volume 10, Issue 2 February Sh vat Adar 5777 The Care and Feeding of a New Rabbi On a very cold and snowy December Shabbat, Rabbi Jeremy was officially installed in his role as our congregation s rabbi. Rabbi Dan Shavitz, his mentor, flew in from sunny California to perform the installation. It was a very important and special day for Rabbi Jeremy as well as for the Congregation of Moses. As I said that morning, I am very happy that we chose Rabbi Jeremy to be our new rabbi and equally happy that he chose us. Rabbi Jeremy stepped into his role during a time of big changes. Rabbi Jeremy s willingness to accept and work to further enrich these changes has shown that he is willing to take on and handle difficult situations. Being a leader is easy when things are simple and good, but when difficulty arises a leader s true colors are revealed. In these past six months, Rabbi Jeremy has shown our congregation that he can and will be the strong leader that we need and that he will be here for all of us. Rabbi Jeremy arrived in Kalamazoo ready to give it his all and I believe he really has. In these few months, he has brought a new sense of excitement and energy to our congregation. I enjoy his humor and his enthusiasm for Judaism. Rabbi Jeremy has a wealth of knowledge and a fresh outlook on what it means to be Jewish. I love his eagerness to share his excitement and knowledge with CoM as well as the larger community. Rabbi Jeremy is exactly the rabbi we need. Rabbi Dan said a new rabbi doesn t come with an owner s manual, but during Rabbi Jeremy s installation service he helped us understand how to best treat, use and handle our new rabbi. His comments on that Shabbat morning are things we all must think about and remember. 1. Rabbi Jeremy can and will be two different rabbis, depending on the situation. There will be times when Rabbi Jeremy will have definitive opinions or ideas. There will be times that when asking him a question he will have an explicit answer. At these times, he is the Moses Rabbi, and you might not always agree with his answer, ruling or opinion. At other times, Rabbi Jeremy will be the Miriam Rabbi and will not have an answer to your question but instead will provide you with tools to help you answer your own question. He cannot sing your song but he can help guide you towards the answer that s right for you. He will help you to find the best way to pray, mourn, observe and process complicated personal beliefs. Rabbi Jeremy has been trained to be both a Moses and a Miriam rabbi. 2. A rabbi deserves Kavod (honor). Back in the day, a congregation would offer a blessing whenever the rabbi entered a room. We no longer do this, but it s important to remember we need to revere him and always treat him with respect. It s also important to remember he is a member of the congregation, a friend and a companion. Don t forget to invite him and his wife, Paula, over for dinner, out for coffee, or over for game night. Always be kind and supportive. VISIT US!

2 CONGREGATION OF MOSES PAGE 2 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 Beth Grode beth.grode@yahoo.com 1st Vice President Michelle Angel mhangel1961@gmail.com 2nd Vice President Brad Hershbein (617) bjhersh@umich.edu Treasurer Steve Grode shgrode@yahoo.com Secretary Connie Bowman conniebowman18@gmail.com Immediate Past President Tema Lando Temazysla@chartermi.net Past President Tamara Norman tdnorman@sbcglobal.net Synagogue Staff Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski jeszczepanski@gmail.com Rabbi Emeritus Harvey Spivak avocet68@aol.com Religious School Director Tova Schreiber comprincipal@congregationofmoses.org Office Manager Shirley Mengel comofficemgr@gmail.com Building Manager Rod Anderson combldmgr@yahoo.com 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 18th of each month, for publication the following month. Please send submissions to both the editor, at congofmosesbulletin@ gmail.com and Carrie Richman, assistant editor, at congofmosesbulletin@hotmail. com. 3. When a congregation gets a new rabbi, they expect him to excel at everything: He should be able to relate well to elders Be great with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah kids Wonderful preschool teacher Be knowledgeable about kashrut but not too strict Be in his office all the time but out in the community all the time as well Be all things to all people Be pastoral Give good sermons Always be available and never on vacation Have a sense of humor Be serious, but not too serious. Oh and by the way, his wife is expected to always be present. She should teach, be a role model, come to every event and be on every committee. (Rabbi Dan reminded us that we hired a rabbi, not a rebitzin to work for free!) As Rabbi Dan asked, Is it truly realistic to expect all of the above? 4. Often congregations ask the rabbi questions and expect him to use his knowledge of Jewish law, customs, ritual, kashrut, etc. to answer the question but if they don t like the answer they don t want to follow his teachings. In the months and years to come, let s remember and take to heart Rabbi Dan s comments. As we continue to welcome Rabbi Jeremy and Paula to our CoM family, let s not forget to open our hearts and our homes to them and bestow them with the love, kindness and respect that is such an integral part of our congregation. Beth

3 Shabbat schedule FRIDAY February 3 SATURDAY February 4 FRIDAY February 10 SATURDAY February 11 FRIDAY February 17 SATURDAY February 18 FRIDAY February 24 SATURDAY February 25 7:30 p.m. Joint Shabbat services with Temple B nai Israel and Temple Beth El at TBI Announcements: Beth Grode 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 10:1-11:3 Al Rosenthal Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-46:28 Judah Ari-Gur Announcements: Al Rosenthal 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Bruce Patrick 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 13:17-15:26 Earl Norman Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31 Earl Norman Announcements: Tamara Norman 5:45 p.m. Community Shabbat Dinner 7:00 p.m. All-School Services and Music Shabbat Announcements: Charlie Ofstein 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Rabbi Spivak Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5,6 Judah Ari-Gur Announcements: Art Feinberg 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Lowell Seyburn 9:30 a.m. Torah: Exodus 21:1-22:3 Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25, 26 Rabbi Jeremy Announcements: Judy Davis Rosenthal VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CHANT TORAH AND HAFTARAH. Please contact Judah Ari-Gur. Shabbat candle lighting times February 3 5:40 p.m. February 10 5:49 p.m. February 17 5:58 p.m. February 24 6:07 p.m. Bracha for candle lighting Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav vetzivanu l hadlik ner shel Shabbat. PAGE 3

4 February 2017 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm 3 Joint Services with Temple B nai Israel and Temple Beth TBI, 7:30 pm Board Mtg. 7:30 pm 8 9 Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm Men s Club Mtg. 10 am; Adult Ed with Rabbi Spivak, Who Is God 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Hadassah Book Club, 1:00 pm; Hadassah General Mtg. & Luncheon, noon Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm; Bulletin deadline, 8 pm 21 Executive Committee Mtg. 7:30 pm Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm 17 Sisterhood Oakwood Bistro, noon; Community Shabbat Dinner, 6:00 pm; KCJS all school Shabbat services, 7:00 pm No Religious School PAGE 4

5 March 2017 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 Intro to Judaism class, 4:00-7:00 pm 3 Sisterhood Martells, noon 4 5 Hamentaschen Bake 6 7 Board Mtg. 7:30 pm 8 9 Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm Erev Purim Megillah Reading, 7:30 pm 12 Men s Club Meeting, 9:30 am; Purim Celebration Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm 17 Music Shabbat, 6:30 pm Ann Arbor Limited Learning Festival 20 Hadassah Book Club, 1:00 pm; Bulletin deadline, 8pm 21 Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 pm Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm Chocolate Seder; Mah Jongg, Mimosas and More, 2:00-5:00 pm No KCJS classes 30 Intro to Judaism, 4:00-7:00 pm 31 PAGE 5

6 YAHRZEITS February 3, 4 (8 Shevat 14 Shevat) Louis Brown* Viola Doggett Rebecca Gubin* Evelyn Hyman Abraham Kaiser* Sydney Koingsberg Johanna Kroon* Arny Lamm Anna Levinson* Dorothy Miller Martin Morrison* Marcel Munsch Birdie C. Sanders* Emanuel Schupan February 10, 11 (15 Shevat 21 Shevat) Sidney Eisenberg Eugene Field* Waller J. Finn* Lambert Kroon* Tito Marzan Manuel Newlander* Leo Simon Esther Stulberg* Donna Taylor Hyman Tregerman February 17, 18 (22 Shevat 28 Shevat) Ann Fine Frieda Friedman* Max Friedman* Morris Friedman* Ralph David Golden* Minnie Graff* Brina Hadesman* Anna B. Haus Hyman Kirschner Evelyn Krasnick* William Leder* Betty Levene* Caryn Levene* Robert Levy* Miriam Epstein Lieberman* Eli Mindel* Dorothy Masursky Moyer* Lou Sanders* Charlotte Stulberg* Michael Stulberg* Terry Wienir William Zheutlin* Mary Zuravel* February 24, 25 (29 Shevat 5 Adar) Charles Berman Adela Blum-Auerbach* Anna P. Davidoff* Jean Rosenblatt Davis Lias Felix Sarah Forman* Theodore Forman* James H. Goldman* Rachel Goldstein* Marianne Mimi Katz* Barry W. Kirschner* Balfour Peisner* Canuto Ruiz Michele Arkush Schaff* Isidore Schanwald Rebecca Stulberg* Harriet Swartz* Dora Zheutlin * Denotes a memorial plaque in the synagogue PAGE 6

7 Mishpacha MAZEL TOV TO: Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov CONDOLENCES TO: Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds GENERAL FUND Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar. Mazel Tov to Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov. Condolences to Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman. Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Tamara & Earl Norman, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur Beth & Stephen Grode, Men s Club, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein, Cindy & Larry Beer Mazel Tov to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home. Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Cindy & Larry Beer, Men s Club, Beth & Stephen Grode Joanne & Mike Simon, Shirley Wise, Tamara & Earl Norman In honor of Judy and Lowell Seyburn s special birthdays. Marian & Ken Fisher In loving memory of my father, Bernard Deutsch. Michelle & Alan Angel In loving memory of my father, Fred Arkush. Carolyn & Brad Kennedy In loving memory of my sister, Margaret Gerstle. Werner Sichel BUILDING FUND Mazel Tov to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar. Mazel Tov to Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov. Condolences to Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman. Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Sallie & Ken Goodman, Maxine & Neal Berke Happy 92nd birthday wishes to Miriam Brot. From her nephew, Prof. Frank Friedman Condolences to Liz Siegel and family on the passing of her father, Daniel C. Pieler. Maxine & Neal Berke PAGE 7

8 PAGE 8 Mishpacha (continued) MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Mazel Tov to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home. Mazel Tov to Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov. Condolences to Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman. Judy & Lowell Seyburn, The Fischell Family Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar. Mom & Dad, The Fischell Family, Judy & Lowell Seyburn In honor of Rosalie Okun and in celebration of Hanukkah. Barb Brown & Jane Greischar Mazel Tov to Anne Fischell on the engagement of her son, Evan to Sarah Aronson. Marian & Ken Fisher RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND In loving memory of my mother, Annelise Loeser. In loving memory of my uncle Max Ernst. Marjorie Gayner HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND Mazel Tov to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar. Mazel Tov to Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov. Condolences to Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman. Marilyn & Art Feinberg JOYCE AND MORTON FISHER KITCHEN/KIDDUSH/ONEG FUND Mazel Tov to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar. Mazel Tov to Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov. Condolences to Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman. Michelle & Alan Angel In loving memory of my father, Sidney Schwartz. Paul & Sharon Schwartz LEVENE CANTOR FUND Mazel Tov to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on their new home. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin on her engagement to Jack Behar. Mazel Tov to Sandy and David Badt on the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Gabriel Suleymanov. Condolences to Steve Krefman and family on the passing of his mother, Muriel Krefman. Rae Lee & Mac Howard BEREAVEMENT FUND In memory of David Rosenberg. Backstop Solutions Group

9 Thank you for the contributions in honor of our special birthdays. They were very much appreciated. Judy Davis and Al Rosenthal Send Mazel Tov wishes or condolences to fellow CoM members the easy way! You can send unlimited Mishpacha cards to members who are celebrating a milestone, are ill or recovering from illness, or grieving the loss of a loved one. For a $400 annual donation to the synagogue for this purpose, the office will send a card to the person or family you want to recognize. In addition, your name will be included in the monthly bulletin as a Mishpacha donor in honor, recognition or in memory of the important occasion. Please contact Shirley Mengel in the office to make arrangements. Your annual donation can begin immediately. We offer professional counseling services for adults, teens, children, couples and families in a caring, comfortable setting. individual, family, couples and group counseling psychological testing substance abuse evaluations more than 40 licensed psychologists and social workers in Kalamazoo and Portage offices most insurances accepted For more information, please call our office at (269) or visit childandfamilypsych.com. Director: Larry Beer, Ed.D.

10 Say hello to our new members Please welcome these new members to the CoM family. Shayna and John Barry and their children, Rachel (11 years), Benjamin (9 years), and Hannah (turning 6 years this month). Leslie and Joel Bez and their sons, Brad (a student at Kalamazoo College) and Alex (working in NYC). Melissa and Luis Henriquez and their children, Maya (6 years) and Benjamin (3 years). Shane Riley and her son, Magnus (2 years). Sandra and Brett Snyder and their children, Rachel (12 years), Brayden (9 years) and Sabrina (2½ years). Outreach Committee This newly appointed committee to our CoM Board is available to assist members with rides to events or other needs. If you know of anyone who could use a helping hand, please call us. We can be reached at: Alice Koss (269) Rae Lee Howard (269) PAGE 10

11 Supressing the Voice of Sodom By Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski What are our obligations to helping the plight of others? This past November, I offered a teaching about the people of Sodom as examples of how not to walk in the world. Now, I d like to offer yet another teaching of Sodom: א ר ב ע מ ד ות ב א ד ם. ה א ומ ר ש ל י ש ל י ו ש ל ך ש ל ך, ז ו מ ד ה ב ינ ונ ית. ו י ש א ומ ר ים, ז ו מ ד ת ס ד ום. ש ל י ש ל ך ו ש ל ך ש ל י, ע ם ה א ר ץ. ש ל י ש ל ך ו ש ל ך ש ל ך, ח ס יד. ש ל י ש ל י ו ש ל ך ש ל י, ר ש ע : There are four types of people. The one who says what s mine is mine and what s yours is yours this is the middle type. And there are those who say that this is the attribute of Sodom. What s mine is yours and what s yours is mine this is the attribute of an ignoramus. What s mine is yours and what s yours is yours this is the temperament of a pious person. What s mine is mine and what s yours is mine this is the temperament of the wicked person. (Mishnah Avot 5:10) The wickedness that was inherent in the people of Sodom was the attitude that no matter how much good fortune they had, they did not have to allow others to benefit from it. While the attitude of what s mine is mine and what s yours is yours may sound reasonable at first, it is in fact anything but. When we adopt such an attitude towards others, we are saying that we have no obligation to one another as Jews and as human beings. Nothing could be further from the truth. There exists in Hasidic thought a theology which states that all of humanity is interconnected through our shared Creator. Just as with sharing our good fortune with others, when we say someone else s problem is their problem and not ours, we are acting as the people of Sodom. There is no such thing as someone else s problem. If a problem exists in humanity, it is everyone s problem. Many groups throughout American history have had problems that may have seemed unique to them, problems that some Americans thought had nothing to do with them. Slavery and civil rights were originally seen as just a black problem, just as marriage equality is still seen by some in this country as a gay problem. The glass ceiling that has yet to be smashed in the fight for true women s equality in America is lobbied by some as simply a women s issue, as is the right of women to govern their own bodies as they see fit, something that has never been in question for anyone born a male in America. In those moments when we find ourselves saying It s not my problem, that s the voice of Sodom speaking through us. The fact that women in 21st century America are still not paid equivalent to their male counterparts in the workforce is everyone s problem. The fact that a fanatical minority in this country would attempt to dictate healthcare for all women based on their particular beliefs is everyone s problem. The tide of oppression, persecution, and genocide that continues to rage in countries such as Syria is everyone s problem. We as Jews and children of the Creator do not have the luxury or the right to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that these problems are not ours. We cannot simply sit back and say It s not my problem. When the voice of Sodom speaks within or through us, we must be diligent to fight and suppress it. We must challenge it when we hear it in ourselves and others, regardless of their position in society. We must remind ourselves, our fellow community members, and our leaders that we have an obligation to work for the betterment of all humanity regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. When Sodom speaks, the fiery wrath of God s anger must be allowed to pour down upon it to destroy it and again wipe it from existence. When Sodom speaks, it imperils us all because it signals that our own potential destruction looms ahead. Will we heed the warning? Or will we tell ourselves that It s not my problem and allow our indifference to be our undoing?

12 Community Family Shabbat Dinner and All-School Services Friday, February 17, 6:00 pm at Congregation of Moses We will be welcoming the families of Temple B nai Israel for Shabbat dinner and services. Religious school students in all grades will be leading services, beginning at 7:00. Shabbat dinner will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. Make your reservation by getting a check, payable to CoM, to Shirley Mengel before February 13. Family - $25 Adults - $10 each Your check is your reservation and we request that you pay in advance. Please send your reservation check now! Don't miss this special Shabbat event. Menu: Baked chicken Smashed potatoes Vegetables Salad Challah A vegetarian alternative is available. Please indicate your preference when you make your reservation. Shabbat Family Community Dinner, February 17 Name: Number of dinner attendees: Number of vegetarian entrees: Amount enclosed: Family - $25 Adults - $10 each Please return with your check by February 13 to Shirley Mengel, CoM, 2501 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo MI Your check is your reservation. Thank you.

13 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 or BIRTHDAYS 2/2 Judy Davis Rosenthal 2/2 Steve Camhi 2/7 Anne Fischell 2/11 Hannah Barry 2/11 Brad Kennedy 2/15 Cathy Cheron 2/19 Julia Strauss 2/20 Paul Wienir has a Special Birthday! Mazel Tov! 2/20 Marissa Icabone 2/20 Mazal Haus reaches double digits this year! 10 years old today! 2/20 Gabriel Amy 2/24 Gail Brot 2/24 Evan Scheinker 2/26 Judah AriGur 2/29 Cooper Howard ANNIVERSARIES There are none that we know of in February. Please let us know if you have an anniversary this month. 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 13

14 Update on Space-Sharing Conversations Recognizing the tremendous positive results of our work thus far, as well as the need to continue to nurture strong relationships between our two congregations, the Group of Six has decided to move away from previously stated shortterm deadlines for decisions about space-sharing. We have listened to feedback from our congregations and believe that the work of building trusting and mutually respectful relationships among our members is so important at this critical juncture that we want to prioritize that goal. Whereas we have been focusing our energy toward negotiating the logistics of a space-sharing arrangement, we will now focus on community events and opportunities that will allow our individual members to get to know each other better. Based on feedback from the regional gathering during Rabbi Fine s visit in November, we are working to schedule a spring retreat at Camp Tavor, open to all area Jewish congregations. We anticipate working closely with the Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan, and will share more information as it becomes available. We continue to believe that the Jewish community of greater Kalamazoo will be stronger and healthier the closer our two congregations become. While Temple B nai Israel and the Congregation of Moses will retain their separate locations for now, we look forward to working together to envision and create a united Jewish presence in southwest Michigan. Shalom, Beth Grode, Michelle Angel, and Shirley Wise, Congregation of Moses Joan Hawxhurst, Ken Odza, and Sharon Wittenberg, Temple B nai Israel Review of Janet Ruth Heller s Book, The Passover Surprise Novelist Gloria Goldreich reviewed Janet Ruth Heller s middle-grade chapter book The Passover Surprise in Hadassah Magazine in December 2016 (page 69). The review is as follows. In Janet Ruth Heller s The Passover Surprise (illustrated by Ronald Kauffman; Fictive Press, 48 pp. $11), Jewish traditions, stamp collecting, sibling rivalry and familial affection are all part of the story of Lisa, who craves a big blue stamp album as a gift for finding the afikomen. Readers will root for Lisa and a happy holiday. Hadassah Magazine covers politics, news and culture. It has a paid print circulation of over 250,000. PAGE 14

15 Camp Keshet 2017 Three Weeks Again This Year! As always, Camp Keshet will be led by two Israeli counselors sharing their love of Israel and Judaism with the children. Week One AND Week Three: at Congregation of Moses Mon, June 19 - Fri, June 23 AND Mon, July 3 - Fri, July 7 9:30 am - 2:00 pm each day Learn about Israel and our Jewish heritage Lunch and snacks provided Field trip, crafts, outdoor activities, cooking, music, dancing And Camp Tavor, again! Week Two: At Camp Tavor in Three Rivers Open to all children ages 4-12 years old Monday through Friday day camp programming Friday - Sunday Weekend Shabbat overnight camp experience for older campers Day camp at Tavor, 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday, June 26 - Friday, June 30 Campers will be bussed from Kalamazoo to Camp Tavor. Kosher meals and snacks provided by Camp Tavor. Campers will be able to take full advantage of Camp Tavor s facility which includes a pool, lake, arts and crafts center, sports fields, low ropes course and a music recording room. Shabbat Overnight Weekend at Camp Tavor, Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2 Campers will depart for Camp Tavor at 8:00 am Friday morning and older campers will spend Friday and Saturday night at Camp Tavor. Parents will pick their children up from Camp Tavor at 11:00 am on Sunday. Camp Keshet campers will fully experience a Shabbat at camp and a trial overnight camp experience. Note: The youngest children will only participate in the day camp part of the program while older children will take part in both the day camp, as well as the Shabbat Overnight part of the program. The week at Tavor will give kids a taste of sleep-away camp in a very safe and positive way. Children will be at Tavor with their Camp Keshet friends, and after spending five days there they will feel comfortable, and be able to meet and connect with Jewish kids outside of Kalamazoo. Children will gain the self-confidence and enthusiasm necessary to attend a Jewish sleep-away camp in the future. Monday, June 19th through Friday, June 23rd Congregation of Moses Monday, June 26th through Friday, June 30th Camp Tavor Monday, July 3rd through Friday, July 7th Congregation of Moses $160 per week or $ for all three weeks Registration due by May 15th. Please contact Beth Grode at beth.grode@yahoo.com to register.

16 The Committee on Israel Affairs & Culture The Committee on Israel Affairs and Culture has disbanded for the remainder of the winter and the coming summer, meeting again in October and inviting all to attend. This will primarily be a study and discussion group on the philosophies of Zionism with its past and current cultural and political issues. Our aim is to educate ourselves and then the public: churches, schools and universities. Please contact Nomi Kluger-Nash, nomi. kluger-nash@charter.net, with any questions, suggestions or ideas. We continue to collect donations of food for our local food bank, Loaves and Fishes. Donations are used to stock 23 county-wide pantries. The largest Loaves and Fishes program, the Grocery Pantry Program, provides nearly 700 people with grocery assistance each day. Most crucial items needed are high-protein food like canned tuna and salmon, canned beans, soups, peanut butter or healthy fruit and nut mixes.

17 NEW CHILDREN'S PLAY GROUP For children up to 4 years old Starting February 19, 11:00 am at the CoM Social Hall Parents and grandparents are invited to bring their little ones to be part of a new Jewish-themed play group. Children will be introduced to early sights and sounds of Judaism, the Hebrew alphabet, songs, foods and basic Jewish rituals, etc. The goal is to have fun introducing our kids to Judaism and fostering a feeling of community for the children and parents alike. Snacks will be provided. Please contact Shane Riley, shane_at_home@hotmail.com, with questions. Thank you! PAGE 17

18 The Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School I have some exciting news to share with you! Just a few weeks ago, our institution received a new name: The Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School. Thank you to the Okun family for their incredibly generous support of Jewish education in Southwest Michigan. Our school also has a new teacher on board, Shoshana Grode, who will be instructing Third Grade on Wednesday nights. Welcome, Shoshana! Pictured below are some of the Hannukah festivities our students participated in a few weeks ago. Thank you, CoM Men s Club, for hosting the Latke Lunch that our families enjoyed! On January 27th, our Second and Third Grade students helped lead Friday night services at CoM. We are so proud of their achievements! Third Grade teacher Miriam Bat-Ami says of her class, The kids are learning pride in their Jewish identity, their moral responsibilities as Jews, and the ability to transfer Hebrew reading to prayers and songs. Third-Graders especially enjoy learning through classroom games, storytelling and skits. Meredith Berlin, who teaches Second Grade, says, My favorite part of teaching is seeing the students experience Aha moments after studying something for a while. The Second Grade students spend their time sharing family holiday traditions, mastering their knowledge of the Alef Bet, and finding everyday examples of G milut Chasidim (acts of kindness). February and March will see a number of events, too. On February 17th, our All-School Friday night service at CoM will be guided by Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski. This service will immediately follow a delicious community dinner, with more information in this newsletter. On February 19th, there will be a presentation for families interested in Camp Keshet. On March 5, our school will bake hamantashen, and on March 12th there will be a special Purim activity. Please continue to support our school with box tops and used ink cartridges. These programs alone have raised over $200 this school year. TBI s Hannukah Bazaar raised over $100 for our School. CoM s Sisterhood generously supports our school, too, through their yearly Rummage Sale. Participation in these programs helps ensure that our children receive a quality Jewish education. There will be no classes on Sunday, February 26th. I d like to thank Stephanie Haft and Ellie Goldman, who have substituted for us recently. With so many things to look forward to, I anticipate your questions and comments. Please don t hesitate to reach out! Morah Tova Director

19 Youth Camp Scholarships The Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan believes that an experience at a Jewish summer camp is an outstanding way for our young people to connect with their Jewish peers and to strengthen their Jewish roots. The families of children who wish to attend a Jewish summer camp in 2017 and are in need of some funds may apply to the Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. The Federation s annual campaign is the main source of funds for these youth camp scholarships. The amount available for scholarships depends on the success of the campaign and the number of applicants. A need-based factor is included in deciding how much each applicant will receive from the Federation. In addition, participation, service and contributions by families to the Jewish community are considered positive factors in deciding scholarships. Some camps are able to provide partial scholarships and your local synagogue/temple may also have some funds available for this purpose. To apply for funds from the Federation, request a form from Jacob Weintraub by at jweintraub922@gmail.com. Applications are due by March 1st. The CoM Camp Endowment Committee believes that Jewish summer camp participation is an important and influential part of a well-rounded Jewish education. Therefore, the committee is proud to support our youth by continuing to provide scholarship opportunities for attending Jewish camps and activities during the summer months. Participation by the student and family in congregation life and community, as well as financial need, are all considered as factors when determining scholarship awards. If you have questions or would like an application, please contact Joyce Camhi at (269) or joyce.camhi@gmail.com. Applications are due by March 1st. Thank you! PAGE 19

20 FISHER LIBRARY NEWS In Hollywood, award season is upon us, but in the world of Jewish books, it has already arrived. I am proud to say that within our collection, we have, or are about to receive, many distinguished titles. Following is a list of awards, the winners, and finalists currently or soon-to-be available in the Fisher Library. The Sami Rohr Prize This annual award recognizes the unique role of contemporary writers in the transmission and examination of the Jewish experience. Each year, the prize of $100,000 aims to reward an emerging writer whose work has demonstrated a fresh vision and evidence of further growth. For a list of this year s award winners, see Finalist: Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel by Dan Ephron The National Jewish Book Award The National Jewish Book Awards program began in 1950 when the Jewish Book Council presented awards to authors of Jewish books at its annual meeting. Awards are presented in over 18 categories. For the entire awards list, visit jewishbookcouncil.org/awards/2016-national-jewish-book-award-winners-and-finalists. Winner Jewish Book of the Year: Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn by Daniel Gordis Winner Modern Literary Achievement: Michael Chabon, including his current book, Moonglow Finalist Book Club Award: Beauty Queen of Jerusalem by Sarit Yishai-Levy, Anthony Berris, trans. Finalist Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice: Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting by Danya Ruttenberg Finalist Debut Fiction: The Yid by Paul Goldberg Finalist Young Adult Fiction: Another Me by Eva Wiseman The Sydney Taylor Book Award The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience. To learn more about the Sydney Taylor Book Awards, visit their website at jewishlibraries.org. Due to current costs and budget limitations, I will endeavor to purchase some of these extraordinary books in the fall, especially: I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy with illustrations by Elizabeth Baddeley The Inquisitor s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz with illustrations by Hatem Aly Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy by Richard Michelson with illustrations by Edel Rodriguez Dreidels on the Brain by Joel Ben Izzy Not This Turkey by Jessica Steinberg with illustrations by Amanda Pike On One Foot by Linda Glaser with illustrations by Nuria Balaguer Skating with the Statue of Liberty by Susan Lynn Meyer Todah Rabah, Rachel Haus, Library Director

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22 Sisterhood news Please save items for our Rummage Sale in early May (see below for details). Thank you to Michelle Angel and Janet Heller for providing childcare for the Second Reformed Church for Christmas. Women s League will hold its national conference on July 23-26, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. If you wish to attend, please contact Janet Heller at janetheller@charter.net Don t forget to purchase items at our Sisterhood Gift Shop. It s open during Religious School on Sundays and by appointment. For more information, please contact Kim Rubin at kimrubin@msn.com Upcoming Events Friday, February 17, noon Sisterhood luncheon at Oakwood Bistro in Oakwood Plaza at 3003 Oakland Dr., Kalamazoo, near Whites Road. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 15. Friday, March 3, noon Sisterhood luncheon at Martell s Italian Restaurant at 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., Kalamazoo in Parkview Hills. Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 1. Sunday, March 26 Mah Jongg and Mimosas co-sponsored by Sisterhood and Hadassah from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Fisher Library at CoM. Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 20. Friday, April 21, noon Sisterhood luncheon at Food Dance Restaurant on 401 E Michigan Ave. near the YWCA. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 19. Tuesday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m. Visit the Schoolcraft Underground Railroad Museum at 613 E. Cass Street in Schoolcraft. Speakers Harriett Swartz, Nancy Rafferty and Don Sanborn of the Schoolcraft Historical Society will speak about the local Underground Railroad during the time of slavery. Refreshments will be served. For reservations, please Fran Raffel at franraffel@aol.com by Friday, April 21. Please tell Fran if you need a ride. Monday, May 1 through Friday, May 5 Set-up for the Rummage Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Social Hall. Sunday, May 7 and Monday, May 8 Rummage Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Social Hall. Clean-up will start on Monday around 2 p.m. and continue until we have boxed up all items and sorted the ones to donate to other nonprofits. For reservations to all luncheons, please Emily Hoffman at emily.hoffman@wmich.edu by the requested date. Thank you. Please contact Co-Presidents Susan Welbourne (pnwelbourne@hotmail.com) and Maxine Berke (maxineberke@gmail.com) if you would like to join Sisterhood, join the Sisterhood Board, or become involved in any Sisterhood activities.

23 Nava s Bat Mitzvah Project Toys for Bronson Hospital! I am seeking donations of toys and games to give to children undergoing treatment at Bronson Hospital. I am looking for new or gently used: Stuffed animals Crayons Kids books Board games Coloring books (new only) Other toys Please donate by May 27, You may leave donations in a box in the school wing or in the coat closet. If you have any questions, please contact Nava Haus at: (269) or Navahaus@yahoo.com PAGE 23

24 Thank you to all of our members who have helped us collect Box Tops for Education. Recently we received a check from Box Tops for $ This was our largest reward check ever! By clipping those 10 coupons from selected groceries, we are helping the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School. You may already have some box tops in your home! Look for them on products from Reynolds, Green Giant, Annie s, General Mills cereals, Nature s Valley, Mott s, Land O Lakes, Go-Gurt, Yoplait, Ziploc, Hefty, Betty Crocker, Cascadian Farms, Kleenex, Scott s, Old El Paso, Progresso, Lysol, Fiber One, and Larabar. PAGE 24

25 Make Your Shopping Help Meijer, Walgreens, Target, Menards, Lowe s, Celebration Cinema, Macy s, Amazon, Biggby Coffee, Bed Bath and Beyond are just a few of the cards available. Stop in the office from 7:30 am to 11:30 am to purchase gift cards. We can earn from 2-15% of your total purchase price. A very easy way to help the Congregation of Moses! Thank you. PAGE 25

26 Direct Your Dollars D&W and Family Fare have a program called Direct Your Dollars. Just save your actual receipts from their stores and place them in the folder with the Direct Your Dollars logo outside our office. Once we reach $150,000 in total receipts, CoM can get $1000 back! This is a super easy fundraiser. Remember to buy your D&W scrip at our office! Your purchase of D&W gift cards earns another 2% for CoM. Double-dipping is allowed! Goal - $150,000 Almost there Doing great Thank you to all who have brought in your D&W receipts. In just 3 months, we have collected $6642 in receipts. We are doing very well! On the way! Let s keep em coming! Please keep saving your D&W receipts and dropping them off in the designated envelope hanging outside the office. Your Starbucks receipt at D&W counts! Thanks for your support! PAGE 26

27 We d Like to Hear From You! We feel that there should be a mechanism by which congregants can share their opinions about anything at CoM. We want your input. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School, please Joyce Camhi at joyce.camhi@gmail.com. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding Space-Sharing, services, or anything at all related to CoM, please Beth Grode at beth.grode@ yahoo.com. If you don t use or would like to remain anonymous there will be a suggestion box on the ledge outside Shirley s office. Put your comments in an envelope and address it to Joyce or Beth. We re looking forward to hearing from you. PAGE 27