Counting the Days. By Rabbi Audrey Korotkin

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1 WORSHIP SCHEDULE Friday, September 1st, 7:30 Lay-led worship Friday, September 8th, 7:30 Birthday Shabbat with Rabbi Friday, September 15th, 7:30 Selichot with Rabbi September 20-21, Rosh Hashanah Worship Friday, September 22nd, 7:30 Healing service for Shabbat Shuva September 29-30, Yom Kippur Worship. INSIDE THIS ISSUE President s 2 Message High Holy Day 3 Shabbat 4 Information, Community, 5 Tikkun Olam Sukkot 6 Celebration High Holy Day 7 Schedule We Jews seem to like numbers a lot. They re important in the Bible and in the cycle of the year. Forty days of flooding and forty years of wandering. Seven days of creation, seven days to the Sabbath, seven weeks from Passover to Shavuot and from Egypt to Sinai. Three days of walking for Abraham and Isaac, for preparing the people at the foot of Mount Sinai, and for Esther to fast before she presents herself to the king. Ten generations from Noah to Abraham and ten adults to make a minyan. All of these uses of numbers have something in common: They represent times of anticipation: Something is coming and we need to be prepared for it. SEPTEMBER 2017 ELUL/TISHRI 5777 Counting the Days By Rabbi Audrey Korotkin The same is true for the whole month of Elul before Rosh Hashanah, and for the ten interim days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We anticipate what s ahead but not in a passive way: we have to be prepared for what s coming. We prepare in many ways. At Shabbat worship, we add in special penitential prayers and a taste of High Holy Day melodies. At home, we might take advantage of the prayers and poems that are offered on the internet, such as at poet Alden Solovy s tobendlight.com and at ritualwell.org, as well as the daily meditations at jewelsofelul.com. The bottom line is we re never as ready for the New Year as we think we are. When we count the days, and make each day count, we infuse each day with meaning and importance which is what God is imploring us to do in the themes of life and death hanging in the balance that are at the heart of High Holy Day liturgy. Let s pledge to make each day count by making it special ritually, physically, emotionally. Don and I wish you a Shana Tova, a sweet and good New Year. L shalom, Rabbi Audrey

2 PAGE 2 President s Message Dear Congregants, Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the vicms of the devastang Hurricane Harvey. So many lives will never be the same. Many people and organizaons are donang their me, efforts, and money to help those in need. People helping people, that is so much of what life should be about. Beyond our thoughts and prayers, our Temple has joined with a Jewish coalion in the Huston area to help the vicms of Hurricane Harvey. s have been sent out by Rabbi Audrey explaining this great collaborave effort. Please contact her if you would like any further informaon or clarificaon. As we enter the High Holiday season, my thoughts turn to all the wonderful upcoming services and opportunies that we will have to celebrate together, both with our families and our Temple family. As you will quickly find when you spend me with me, I like both poems and sayings. So here are two sayings that I find appropriate for Temple life- 1) The more the merrier 2) There is strength in numbers. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Rabbi who is so full of enthusiasm, energy, and insight. She is truly there for us, and likewise, we should be there for her. I feel that the single most important thing we can do as Temple Beth Israel congregants is to be involved. Life is so busy for us all, I know all too well. But taking a li5le me to a5end a service, or parcipate in a Temple acvity gives added life and meaning to the events that we have. I wish you all health and happiness as we enter the New Year. Sincerely, Jonathan Thaler MAZEL TOV to our Steelers Football Raffle winners, Rabbi Audrey & Don and Brenda & Larry Lochner, who each received a pair of fabulous club seats to the Steelers-Colts preseason game at Heinz Field. Thanks to Jim and Audrey Rosenthall for their kind donation and to all who purchased and sold tickets to benefit the Temple. MAZEL TOV to Jane Patt Biddle, who finished eighth aboard Violet at the American Eventing National Championships at Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina

3 Temple Events High Holy Days 2017 ANNUAL ROSH HASHANAH RECEPTION Wednesday, September 20th, following 8 PM Rosh Hashanah Eve Worship hosted by Sisterhood Thanks to Dave & Betsy Patt for sponsoring the pulpit flowers for Rosh Hashanah, and Joel & Bobbi Weiss for Yom Kippur, and thanks to Jim & Audrey for sponsoring the flowers for the social hall in memory of Harry Rosenthall. We are asking for helpers to set up for the reception the morning of September 20th from 9am-noon. Also, we are asking each family to bake 4 dozen cookies or make a $15 donation to cover the reception cost. Cookies may be dropped off Wednesday morning, September 20th, between 9am and noon or make arrangements to drop off to Sue Holzer, Karen Allen or Annette Shaw prior to this day. Call the office to volunteer! YOM KIPPUR BREAK-THE-FAST PAGE 3 Saturday, September 30th at 6:15pm, following Neilah Worship Cost for Break the Fast will be: $20 per person for Adults; $12 for children between the ages of 13 and 18; $8 for Children between the ages of 6 and 12. (Children under 6 free. ) Thank you Nancy for organizing, with the assistance of Barbara Thaler and Sara Ebersole. Please call the Temple to make reservations. Prepayment for all RSVPS are required and needed by October 5th. We look forward to seeing you there.

4 PAGE 4 PARASHAT HASH VUAH September 1-2 / 11 Elul Ki Tetze: Deut. 21:10-25:19 Moses delivers specific rules about proper family relaonships. He connues with laws involving many aspects of daily living, jusce, family responsibility, work, and sexuality. September 8-9 / 18 Elul Ki Tavo: Deut. 26:1-29:8 Moses instructs the Israelites regarding the first fruit offering. Moses then lists the blessings the people will enjoy if they keep the commandments, and the punishments they will suffer for disobeying them. Sept / 25 Elul Nitzavim / Vayelech Deut. 29:9-30:20; 31:1-30 Moses describes the Covenant between God and the Israelites, urging the Israelites to uphold the Covenant and honor the Torah so that they may be rewarded with life in the Land of Israel. Sept / 3 Tishri 5778 Ha azinu: Deut. 32:1-52 In a poetic form reminiscent of the Song of the Sea in at the beginning of his leadership, Moses prepares the people for another water crossing, over the Jordan River and into the Promised Land, with Joshua leading them. For more see Birthday Shabbat Friday, September 7:30 PM Join our Temple family as Rabbi Audrey offers special birthday for: blessings for: Sharon Smith Irene Wilkinson Karen Gurman Selichot Worship Friday, September 15, 7:30 PM Hear the blast of the shofar for the first me as we prepare for the Days of Awel September Yahrzeits Robert Gordon Sue Holzer Shannon Morris We are delighted to tell you that Harry, Maggie and Ira Kaufmann will be in town and a5ending worship on Friday, September 8th, and have generously offered to sponsor the oneg Shabbat following services. Please come and welcome them back to Altoona! Friday, September 1st Kaddish will be recited for Roy S. Bendheim, Rose Baer, Samuel Scheinberg, Richard Dudley, Dr. Myer W. Rubenstein, Abraham N. Hoffenberg, Beatrice Goldberg Krier, Betty Bard, William Konecky Friday, September 8th Kaddish will be recited for David Saltsburg, Lillian Konecky, Earl Roger Grove, Leah S. Levine, Judith Patt, John Loth, Elliot Saltsburg September 15th Kaddish will be recited for Morris Caplan, Beatrice Scherer, Dr. Samuel R Weiss, Florence F. Bergman, Ethel Van Blerkom, Henry Goldstein Friday, September 22nd Kaddish will be recited for Morton H. Rose,Haiman H. Colbus, Esther Stern, Albert L. Luddeke, Leon March, William Bradbury, Mina Herman, Louis Baer, Bernard Kullmann, Jay Vizer, Shimon Peres, Rabbi Joseph Klein, Ada Kliochko, Dorothy Brown Lafferty, Abe Sacks Friday September 29th Kaddish will be recited for Louis Luxenberg, Charles N. Cohn, Patricia Campbell, Anna Benjamin, Ethel Miller Hoberman, Dr. Arthur L. Korotkin, Emanuel (Bud) Leopold, Alex Festenstein, Samuel Levin,Murrey Konecky, William B. Rose, Dr. Jowl Goldman, Milton Neuman

5 Community Events PAGE 5 NEW TEMPLE INITIATIVE TO HELP HARVEY VICTIMS Temple Beth Israel has joined up with a coalition of Houston-area Jewish congregations of all denominations to immediately and directly help victims of Hurricane Harvey. Please bring gift cards for national bricks-and-mortar stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Target and Wal-Mart to Temple and we will send them directly to Houston for distribution. You can drop them off at Temple during regular business hours (Monday through Thursday 9-2), drop them in the mail attention Rabbi Korotkin at 3004 Union Avenue, 16602, or drop them in the mail slot in the back door. As our partner Rabbi David Lyon of Congregation Beth Israel, Houston, says: Hurt has no shame and no label; we just need to heal one another."

6 PAGE 6 We re getting the band together! Whatever instrument you play, whatever age you are we want YOU to join the Temple Shabbat Band! We make our debut at Simchat Torah, Friday, October 13th, 7:00 PM, as we will play two fabulous modern versions of Oseh Shalom as the congregaon dances with the Torah Scrolls. Contact Rabbi Audrey at rabbiaudrey@templebethisrael.net and let her know what instrument you play. You ll receive sheet music with melody and chords, and links to YouTube videos to learn both songs. The new sisterhood booklet is being finalized, if you have any changes to your address, phone number, or address, please contact Danielle so she is able to update your contact information. Giving at Temple Beth Israel Temple Beth Israel has many opportunies for giving: in memory or honor of a loved one, in celebraon of a special life milestone, or to commemorate a special occasion. Please call Jen in the Temple office at for a complete list of funds. Please consider making the Temple a beneficiary of your will. ThoughKul bequests enable the Temple, through our Endowment Fund, to fund many important programs and projects that service our membership. A codicil can be added to your exisng will if you wish, as I give and bequest to Temple Beth Israel, located in Altoona Pennsylvania, the sum of $ (or percentage of my estate as finally determined for federal (or Pennsylvania) estate tax purposes). A will or codicil should be prepared by your a5orney.

7 PAGE 7 High Holy Days and Fall Festivals 2017 Selichot Friday, September 15 th 7:30 PM Rosh Hashanah Evening Worship: Wednesday, September 20th 8:00 PM Morning Worship: Thursday, September 21st 10:00 AM Shabbat Shuvah Healing Service Friday, September 22 nd 7:30 PM Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Worship: Friday, September 29th 8:00 PM Morning Worship: Saturday, October 30th 10:00 AM Afternoon Worship: Yizkor Service: Children s Programming (concurrent w/yizkor) Neilah Service (Led by Rabbi and students) 3:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:30 PM Break the Fast: Prepaid RSVPS required 6:15 PM Sukkot Friday, October 6 th 6:00 PM Dinner, Decorating, Festival Worship Making Strides Against Breast Cancer / American Cancer Society PNG Field Sunday, October 8 th 12:30 PM Simchat Torah Friday, October 13 7:00 PM Introducing our Shabbat Band, playing for the Torah procession! Honoring the Animals Sunday, October 22 12:15 PM Luncheon and special baking program to make healthy snacks for the animals at local shelters, in honor of Shabbat Noah. For more info, please contact the office at or find us on Facebook. Temple Beth Israel, 3004 Union Avenue, Altoona Pa 16602

8 PAGE 8 May the memory of the righteous be a blessing Y01234 R :5 B332;5< Y36 K0>>? / 5778 Once again this year, we will create a remembrance booklet to be given out at Yizkor services on Saturday, September 30th, at 4:30 PM. Please fill out the names of those you are remembering as you wish them to appear in the booklet, along with the amount you would like to contribute to the Temple. Please remember to print clearly so we spell the name correctly. All forms must be returned to Danielle Walter in the Temple office by Friday, September 15 th, 2017 Temple Beth Israel 3004 Union Avenue Altoona, Pa NAME RELATIONSHIP TO TEMPLE MEMBER I (We) wish to make a contribuon to the Temple of $25 $50 $75 $100 $500 Other Signature

9 PAGE 9 We are grateful for your support Tree of life Scrolls Our deepest condolence to the Primack family, from Joe & Pat Silverman Our hearkelt condolence to Larry & Terri Primack and family, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Sending our deepest condolence to the Primack family, from Jon & Barb Thaler In memory of Alex Primack, from Sue & Russ Holzer With deepest sympathy to Larry & Terri Primack on your loss, from Steve & Lynn Auerbach-Kaplan Our deepest sympathy to Larry & Terri Primack on your loss, from Joel & Bobbi Weiss Sending our deepest condolence to the Primack family, Fro the Dubrow family Best wishes and congratulaons on your achievement. From Sissy Kadane Congratulaons to Don Clippinger on your achievement. Best wishes. From Carole & Morley Cohn In honor of Don Clippinger for passing the bar exam, from The Bauder & Hand families Congratulaons to Don Clippinger on your achievement, rom Greg & Shannon Morris & Family Congratulaons to Don Clippinger on your big success, from Joe & Pat Silverman Congratulaons to Don Clippinger for this success and many more ahead, from Andrew & Denise Katz & Family Wishing Don Clippinger the best, may you have connued success and happiness, from Sue & Russ Holzer Congratulaons to Don Clippinger on your success and all the best for your future, from Barb & Jon Thaler Congratulaons to Don Clippinger on your great achievement! From Steve & Lynn Auerbach-Kaplan Wishing Don Clippinger all the best for your future and congratulaons on your achievement, from the Dubrow family Deepest condolence to the family of Mark Big Kahuna Kopp, from Gerg & Shannon Morris and family Deepest condolence to Sen John Eichelberger & Charlo5e Aimes & family on the passing of John s mother Faye, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Deepest condolence to Michael & Phoebe Cohen & family on the passing of both Michael s grandparents Clayton & Be5y Johnson, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Deepest condolence to Donna Cohen on the loss of both of her parents Clayton & Be5y Johnson, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Happy birthday to Shannon Morris from your loving family Wishing a happy and healthy new year to the enre TBI Family, from Greg & Shannon Morris & family Silver Tree of Life Scrolls Congrats to Don Clippinger! It s great to hear about your success. Enjoy the pracce of law as much as you have enjoyed the journey to your goal, from

10 3004 Union Avenue Altoona, PA Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Altoona, Pa. Permit No. 24 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED We re now on the web! Upcoming events Friday, September 1st, 7:30pm Monday, September 4th Friday, September 8th, 7:30pm Friday, September 15th, 7:30pm Wednesday, September 20th, 8pm Thursday, September 21st, 10am Friday, September 22nd, 7:30pm Friday, September 29th, 8pm Saturday, September 30th, 10am-6pm Lay-led Worship Labor Day-Office Closed Birthday Shabbat with Rabbi Selichot with Rabbi Audrey Erev Rosh Hashanah & dessert RecepLon Rosh Hashanah morning Shabbat Shuva Healing service with Rabbi Audrey Kol Nidre Yom Kippur

11 September 2017 elul-tishri Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 4 Sandra & David Knepp Labor Day (office closed) 5 Robert Gordon Larry & Terri Primack 7:30pm Lay-Led Worship Service 7:30pm Birthday Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey 2 Sharon Smith 9 Temple Beth Israel 3004 Union Avenue Altoona, PA Irene Wilkinson Joel & Barbara Weiss 6:30pm American Cancer Society Meeting Susan Holzer 15 7:30pm Selichot with Rabbi Audrey 16 office@templebethisrael.net templebethisrael.net 17 Karen Gurman 18 Shannon Morris :00pm Erev Rosh Hashanah & Dessert Reception Erev Rosh 10:00am Rosh Hashanah Morning Service 7:30pm Shabbat Shuva Healing Service with Rabbi Audrey Janine & Greg Werstil 8:00pm Kol Nidre 30 10am Morning Service 3pm Afternoon 4:30pm Yitzkor 5:15pm Neilah Yom Kippur