TIDINGS OF ZION. Shevat/Adar 5779 MT. ZION CONGREGATION, Sioux Falls, South Dakota February 2019 SAVE THE DATES!!

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1 TIDINGS OF ZION Shevat/Adar 5779 MT. ZION CONGREGATION, Sioux Falls, South Dakota February 2019 From the Congregation President... Dr. Mark Oppenheimer 35 ways Israel inspired the world in 2018 Israel may be a tiny country, but its impact worldwide has been phenomenal. We take a look back at some of the country s biggest achievements in By Nicky Blackburn and Abigail Klein Leichman continued on page 5 SAVE THE DATES!! September 13th, 14th and 15th 2019 are the dates that we will celebrate 100 YEARS of Mt. Zion Congregation s life. Specific plans will be outlined in the near future, but for now, please mark your calendars and share the dates with Mt. Zion s friends and families from near and far, past and present. All will be welcome! Thank you!!! PAGE 1

2 DONATIONS (December 10, January 9, 2019) Please send all Temple contributions to: PO Box 756, Sioux Falls, SD GENERAL FUND In memory of Harry Greenbaum from Bernice & Peter Schotten; Dave & Marilyn Aronson; Marty Davidsohn; Anita & Larry Bierman; Dick & Freda Hosen; Mary & Mel Magidson; Sarah & Charles Woodard (Brookings, SD); Connie & Douglas Nelson (White, SD); Mark & Matilda Oppenheimer In honor of Sophia Dreiske with congratulations on her religious conversion to Judaism from Marilyn & Dave Aronson; Mark & Matilda Oppenheimer In honor of Anne & Abigail Peterson with congratulations on their religious conversion to Judaism from Marilyn & Dave Aronson; Mark & Matilda Oppenheimer Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest Late Fall 2018 newsletter Tiny synagogue, big history Aberdeen, SD R By Robin Doroshow eaders of Generations will recall that in the summer of 2017, I wrote about what I believed were the two active synagogues in South Dakota: Mount Zion Temple in Sioux Falls, and Synagogue of the Hills in Rapid City. Following articles about those congregations, I was contacted by Bea Premack of Aberdeen, who informed me that Congregation B nai Isaac in Aberdeen is alive and well, and just celebrated the centennial of its founding. So this past summer, my South Dakota sojourn included a visit to Aberdeen, to meet with Bea and Herschel Premack, learn about their tiny congregation of 12 individuals, and celebrate centennial-plus-one of this synagogue the oldest in continuous use in South Dakota, and the only one in the state affiliated with the Conservative movement. Despite having never met me, the Premacks welcomed me into their home. I quickly learned that my hosts and guides are the backbone of this community, long involved in civic life and at the center of its Jewish life. Herschel was born in Aberdeen and has spent his entire life there. His parents were married in 1922 at B nai Isaac, in a double ceremony with another couple from Sioux City. Herschel was quick to namedrop the twin girls who traveled with the other couple from Sioux City to stand as flower girls: Eppie and Popo, aka Esther and Pauline Friedman, later known to the world as Ann Landers and Dear Abby. Bea, an Omaha girl, was attending college when she met Herschel. She had grown up in a Conservative synagogue in Omaha that her parents helped form. She and Herschel married and settled in Gail Pickus, Herschel Premack, Bea Premack outside Congregation B nai Isaac, established in 1917, it's the oldest synagogue in continuous use in South Dakota. Aberdeen, establishing their Jewish home and raising three children while Herschel worked in the family scrap metal business. We visited B nai Isaac late one Friday afternoon, where I was introduced to Jerry Taylor, B nai Isaac s current president. Jerry showed me many artifacts, photos and papers relating to the history of B nai Isaac. There I also met long-term member Gail Pickus, an artist originally from Chicago, who came to Aberdeen with her late husband when he established his medical practice there; as he built his practice, they raised their three sons. Joining us for pre-service chat in the building lobby were a young couple who had relocated to Aberdeen to work at the local college, as well as a college student originally from rural South Dakota, who has an interest in Judaism. We entered the sanctuary, where Herschel went to the bimah and led the Shabbat In honor of the birth of Lev Asher Feinstein from Dave & Marilyn Aronson; Mark & Matilda Oppenheimer To the Congregation from Marilyn & Dave Aronson; Mitch Bernstein; Lorna Gallanter; Lin Rostrom; Alon & Sandy Spektor; Judith & Michael Peterson With sympathy to Nancy Feinstein and family on the passing of Nancy s father, Donald Edison, from Dave & Marilyn Aronson; Mark & Matilda Oppenheimer YAHRZEIT FUND In loving memory of Ed Ezrailson from Cathy Ezrailson The Flame Steakhouse and Lounge, Aberdeen, SD evening service. Bea brought wine and candles to the bimah. The service was brief and traditional, and concluded with all of us on the bimah for kiddush. Following the service, we had a chance to get to know each other better over dinner at The Flame on Main Street a perfect small-town supper club. There I heard more stories about the history of the congregation, the remarkable community service of the people around the table, and the extended relationships throughout the Midwest and beyond that they have maintained over the years. I learned, for instance, that both Bea and Gail have been named First Lady of Aberdeen, a general community honor bestowed on active community members. I learned about the Warren Buffett connections of Omaha s Rabbi Kripke, friends of the Premacks through Bea s family and in attendance at the Aberdeen weddings of both Premack daughters. Rabbi Kripke briefly hit the national spotlight when he made a $7 million donation to support restoration of the JTS library in New York following a fire it turned out he was an early investor with Mr. Buffett. And I learned about important and timely work that Bea and Gail are currently involved with the Aberdeen Area Diversity Coalition, a tri-faith organization of Jews, Christians and Muslims. Among its activities is the hosting of an Israel booth and cultural performance at the Northern State University Culture Fest, despite the fact that this year there are no Israeli students attending NSU. Congregation B nai Isaac and its members are a cornerstone of Aberdeen life and a beacon of Jewish practice for out-of-town visitors, Jews from even smaller towns who need a place for holidays and special occasions, and non-jewish neighbors who want to learn more about Judaism. Traveling to Aberdeen? You will be warmly welcomed by the members of B nai Isaac! Renew your membership today! Not yet a member? Join us today! TOP: B nai Isaac sanctuary LEFT: B nai Isaac brochure celebrating the congregation's centennial. Use the enclosed envelope to renew or start your membership and include "Membership" on the check's memo line, or go to PAGE 2

3 LAY LEADERS NEEDED! Contact Ritual Chair, David Aronson, at to volunteer to lead services. Visiting Groups to the Temple Our congregation is served by a Student Rabbi who is available a limited number of weekends from September through May. We encourage your scheduling your Friday evening worship services visit only when the Student Rabbi is in residence. For Friday evening visits and/or in cases where other scheduling arrangements are needed, please call or the President of the congregation who will assist you with scheduling. Do a Mitzvah! Most Friday afternoons (3:30 pm - approx 5:30 pm), volunteers are needed to assist with Faith Temple Church s food distribution at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. On the THIRD Friday of every month. anyone interested in helping with the Food Giveaway is invited to meet in the Mt. Zion Temple parking lot at 2:30 pm to carpool over to the Fairgrounds. Please note that you are welcome to help with the Food Giveaway on any Friday that it is held and you are free to drive over on your own even on these third Fridays. But for those interested in driving over together, this option is being offered. TIDINGS DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 10th Remember to submit articles appropriate for the March 2019 Tidings.To submit articles, them to: carol@theprintersinc.com Oneg Shabbat Hosts Needed: Please Volunteer Volunteers for Onegs are needed. Please let me know if you are willing to help out. I prefer (Cathy.Ezrailson@usd.edu) but my cell is Thank you so much, Cathy Ezrailson Hosts for Student Rabbi Sam Schauvaney s Friday and Saturday meals are needed. Please contact Marty Davidsohn at martydavidsohn@gmail.com or and reserve your favorite date. Gail Klein, Chapter President PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL! Reforest Israel by planting trees in Israel through Hadassah/JNF, the Jewish National Fund. The price of one tree is $18. To purchase a tree, contact SHELLY ROSENBERG at or her at shellyrosenberglpa@ gmail.com Potluck Dinner n Friday, February 1st 6:00 pm Bring a dish to share! Join us for Shabbat Services at 7:30 pm if you d like! Mark Your Calendar: First Friday of every month Questions? mtzioncongregation@gmail.com PAGE 3 Help support the extraordinary works of Hadassah with a card or certificate! Contact Cards & Certficates Chair Carol Rosenthal if you d like to make a donation. There s a card or certificate in every price range and for every occasion!!

4 Like South Dakotans for Israel on Facebook: SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP Remember to shop at the Sisterhood Gift Shop! Matilda Oppenheimer ( ) and Judy Lampert ( ) Join Us at the Table! The Temple is on Facebook and has a website! Check it out and Like us today!! Our potluck dinners have been a HUGE success. Everyone who comes says they are great and it s reallly wonderful to get together and share a Shabbat meal. The next Shabbat potluck dinner is February 1st at 6:00 pm. Save March 1st for the one after this month s. We hope to see even more of our community there. Just bring a dish and join us. This dinner is open to all families of the congregation. This dinner will occur every first Friday of the month whether the Student Rabbi is in town or not. The dinner will conclude before services. Attendees are not required to go to services following the dinner but are certainly welcome to do so. Please put this on your calendar and join us. STUDENT RABBI SCHAUVANEY S 2019 SCHEDULE February 1-3, 2019 February March 8-10, 2019 March 22-24, 2019 Purim April 5-7, 2019 April 19-21, 2019 Passover Seder on April 19th Remember birthdays, anniversaries, yahrzeits, memorials. Please send your donations to: Mt. Zion Temple PO Box 756 Sioux Falls, SD PAGE 4 For more information, contact Stephen Rosenthal at rosenthal.stephen@gmail.com or call the Temple at Lay Leaders for Shabbat Services Needed Please note that we are in need of leaders for Friday night Shabbat Services when there is no Student Rabbi in town. There are several community members who are happy to assist you with preparing and/or leading the services. Prayers/readings/songs may be led in English or Hebrew at the service leader s prerogative. We are in the process of setting a schedule for service leaders for this winter. Please contact Dave Aronson, Ritual Committee Chair, to volunteer at davidaronson@iw.net or leave him a message at

5 PRESIDENT...continued from page 1 35 ways Israel inspired the world in 2018 PAGE 5

6 Potluck Dinner n Friday, February 1, 2019 at 6:00 pm Friday, March 1, 2019 at 6:00 pm Friday, April 5, 2019 at 6:00 pm Friday, May 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm Mt. Zion Congregation 14th & Duluth Streets PO Box 756 Sioux Falls, SD President:... Mark Oppenheimer Vice President:...DaNiel Wood Treasurer:... Matilda Oppenheimer Secretary:... Stuart Jacobs Board of Directors:...David Aronson Martin Eller Charlie Fenster Judy Lampert Peter Schotten Stephanie Wood Past President:...Royce Hansman PAGE 6

7 YAHRZEITS All Yahrzeits that are observed Sunday through Saturday are read the Friday of that same week. If a Yahrzeit is not listed or you need information concerning Yahrzeits, please call Jan Forstein at A Yahrzeit card and envelope will be sent to you to notify you of upcoming Yahrzeits. (If you do not receive your notifi cation, please contact Jan.) Also included with the notification card is a donor envelope if you wish to make a donation to the Temple in memory of your loved one. February 1st Rolsyn Bryner Sally Mosow Zishke Marsh Louis Zabel Sally Forstein Harold Bud Margulies February 8th Rosalie Lux Dorothy Roganson Ben Light February 15th Herman Eirinberg Albert Wolfson Joseph Bleichfeld Louis Axelbaum February 22nd Hy Hurwitz Samuel Ben Shalom Schotten Solomon Korb Myra Davis Sophia Samorodin Harry Broder Sylvia Hurvitz Jean Klein Minette Koplow March 1st Isaac Levinson Loren Rea Morris Samorodin Harlene Lewin Mary Hurwitz J. Emmett Zerfas Jake Luskey Paul Katz Megillah Reading and Purim Service Friday, March 22, :30 pm Start working on your costumes NOW!! Passover Community Family Seder Friday, April 19, 2019 SAVE THE DATE

8 3 SUNDAY A reminder that proper attire should be worn when participating in services at Mt. Zion Temple. Your cooperation with this matter is greatly appreciated. Religious School Contact Jan 4 MONDAY Mt. Zion Congregation - February TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 6 7 THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 (Shevat 27) 5:20 pm 6:00 pm Shabbat Family Potluck 7:30 pm Shabbat Service ST. RABBI SCHAUVANEY Mishpatim, Exod. 21:1-24:18 Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33: (Adar 4) 5:30 pm 7:30 pm: Shabbat Service Trumah, Exod. 25:1-27:19 Haftarah: I Kings 5:26-6:13 SATURDAY 2 7 pm Adult Ed with Student Rabbi Schauvaney Leon Maggied, Robb Hubley Bdays 9 Jakob Dreiske Bday 10 Religious School Contact Jan TIDINGS DEADLINE Steve Hansman Bday 17 Religious School Contact Jan Temple Board Mtg 10 am - Social Hall Sharon Eller Bday Helen Ofstein, Samantha Rosinsky Bdays 15 (Adar 11) 7:30 pm Shabbat Service T zaveh, Exod. 27:20-30:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 43: (Adar 18) 7:30 pm Shabbat Service ST. RABBI SCHAUVANEY Ki Tisa, Exod. 30:11-34:35 Haftarah: I Kings 18:1-39 5:39 pm 5:48 pm pm Adult Ed with Student Rabbi Schauvaney 24 Religious School Contact Jan Mar 1 (Adar 25) 5:57 pm 6:00 pm Shabbat Family Potluck 7:30 pm Shabbat Service 2 Va-yak heil, Exod. 35:1-38:20 Haftarah: I Kings 7:40-50 Marc Feinstein Bday JoLea Gutnik Bday Shabbat times provided by Chabad.org/ShabbatTimes