Hanukkah Service, Friday December 14 Congregational Hanukkah Party. Dec 01/ Jan P.O. Box 313 Winter Haven FL

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1 Phone WEB SITE P.O. Box 313 Winter Haven FL Member of the U.A.H.C. Polk County Reform Jewish Congregation Newsletter contributors: Stan Friedman, President s Message; Rabbi Goodman, Rabbi s Message; Joyce Preston and Meryl Crews, Sunday School Updates; Janis Koike, Thank Yous, Mazel Tovs, Religious Practices News; Meryl Chayt, Calendar, Yahrtzeits, Donations, Anniversaries and Birthdays. Contributions welcomed! Please send any family or temple news to us for publication. NOTICE Use of Temple Directory and Mailing Lists We have compiled a list of the addresses of our members to facilitate communication of temple business. Please keep in mind that the mailing list as well as the directory are for the use of temple members only and should not be distributed without the approval of the board. Hanukkah Service, Friday December 14 Congregational Hanukkah Party Sunday, December 16 10am Dec 01/ Jan 2002 Editors: Meryl and Steven Chayt ; Janis Koike

President'sMessage Stanley Friedmann Rabbi'sMessage Rabbi Robert Goodman Fellow Congregants, Noses and opinions, we all have both and they can both be altered.

So it was with your board at its last meeting when opinions were shared and debated. The subject itself was unimportant, but what is important is that a consensus was reached.

2 President'sMessage Stanley Friedmann Rabbi'sMessage Rabbi Robert Goodman Fellow Congregants, Noses and opinions, we all have both and they can both be altered. One may cause some pain and the other thought and compromise. Ask any group for their opinions on any given subject and then compare the answers. So it was with your board at its last meeting when opinions were shared and debated. The subject itself was unimportant, but what is important is that a consensus was reached. The object of this example is that ultimately we are all on the same page with similar goals. Certainly we differ, but need always remember how truly insignificant our numbers are compared to Polk County s total population. We strive for unity, to show a united and cohesive face so that the greater community can identify us as one. We succeed sometimes in that effort but among ourselves there is less success. It is too easy to say my way or out. Yet when that does take place we are all a little poorer. In a time of the world s history as we now find ourselves, when Jews are being identified as evil by Moslems of every stripe, when our government is identified as Israel s surrogate by those same Moslems and many Christians, too, it is more imperative than ever to present a united and solid front to the world. Now, more than ever, the Beth Shalom and greater Jewish community of Polk County needs you. How To Reach Stan: Phone: slf8135@ithink.net Dear Friends, As you surely realize, the time from Thanksgiving through the end of December is probably the most difficult time of the year to be Jewish in America. It is during this holiday season that we are inundated with Christmas this and Christmas that. Every once in a while, in the name of tokenism, a bit of Hanukkah creeps in. Music teachers in schools who wish to do a Christmas program will often sometimes include one Hanukkah song and perhaps even a Kwanza song in the name of ecumenism. Some of the choral works chosen by high school holiday concerts are sometimes suitable for a high mass, but certainly do for a public school setting. The Jewish student who loves to sing or loves to play in the orchestra sometimes is forced to play music that runs against that student s religious beliefs. Surely is not fair! Many of my Christian colleagues are also very uncomfortable with the Christmas season because the extravagant commercialism and the pressure people feel to purchase nice Christmas gifts often leaves people with a credit card bill that is not fully paid by the following Christmas season. These Christian clergy sometimes complain vociferously how the business of Christmas has almost negated the spiritual aspects of one of the two most important Christian holidays in the Christian Calendar. By the way, when I relate the old Dayenu cartoon showing the rabbi standing before a packed house (obviously on Yom Kippur) announcing his sermon topic for next Rosh Hashanah, my colleagues laugh and tell me that they are often tempted to announce their Easter sermon on Christmas, and their Christmas sermon on Easter. At the New Member Welcoming Service, I spoke of the Jewish People being a small fish in a big pond. Except in Israel since 1948 and during most of the Biblical period, we as a people have comprised a

3 very small percentage of wherever we lived. In the United States today, we make up about 2% of the total population; which translates to 1 in 50 people. If you don t include the residents of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and South Florida where there are large concentrations of Jews, we may number between 1 in 150 and 1 in 200 people in the rest of the country. That translates to as little as one half percent of the total population. That leaves us even more vulnerable to the whims of the majority -- a majority that is often abysmally ignorant of Jewish beliefs and practices. When I lived in Miami, I taught an introductory class in Biblical Hebrew at an interdenominational seminary. There were lay leaders from various churches in my class who were working to become either ordained ministers or deacons. Several of them where totally incredulous when I explained that Jews do NOT believe in the divinity of Jesus, but rather see him as a great Jew and humanitarian who tried to help the needy and the disenfranchised, and died in the process at the hands of the Romans. Living in Polk County it is easy for Jews to feel isolated and vulnerable. In Polk County we may not even number 1 in 200 people. By the way, it is not much different in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Manatee counties even though these counties have a much more visible Jewish presence. Yet, at the same time, members of the Jewish community are involved in every area of business and professional life. We are particularly visible in the medical profession, boasting many outstanding physicians among our numbers. We are proud of our heritage and do not hide the fact that we are Jewish, yet we do not want to be singled out for discrimination or prejudice. One only needs to read the letters to the editor sent to The Ledger and to The News Chief to know how much anti-semitism is lurking out there, waiting for an opportunity to rear its ugly head. There have letters to the editor Israel and Jews for the attacks against the World Trade Center and for the War in Afghanistan? The Arabs try to make us the scapegoat, and so do the anti-semites in our own land. And when we try to educate our neighbors, they often tell us: don t bother us with the facts; our minds are already made up. That puts us in a most uncomfortable situation. For twelve years, I had a ZRABBI license plate, ten years in Chicago, and two years in Miami. After two years in Florida, I decided that I did not want anyone to use me for target practice, so I opted for an education plate instead. Tradition teaches us: Lo Latate Pitchon Peh L satan, which means, don t give your adversary an opening, or don t invite trouble. On the other hand, if anyone or any group began to attack the Jewish community, I would be quick to take a stand in our defense. When we are faced with issues such as Dedicating Auburndale To Jesus, or the proposed Ten Commandments Monument for the courthouse in Bartow, or the participation of our child in the performance of sacred music and a choral concern, we find ourselves in a terrible quandry. On the one hand, if we keep a low profile, we can live comfortably in our overwhelmingly Christian community. One the other hand, the issue facing us may be so important to us that we feel that we must take a public stand even if there are possible negative consequences. In those cases, we do what we believe is morally and Jewishly right, recognizing the risks involved. It is important that we recognize that our priorities and our decision-making criterion in these troublesome situations may be different than those of other members of the Jewish community. In these situations we will hopefully agree to differ, but resolve to respect the right of others to make the decisions that they believe to be right. Regardless, these decisions are painfully difficult. Yet despite our vulnerability, we live in a unique land, and enjoy more freedom than Jews have ever enjoyed at any time in their history. We have had the opportunity to excel in almost every field of endeavor, and almost had a Jewish Vice-President. We are proud to be American and recognize that our Jewish Heritage is the very foundation upon which the American democratic system is built. Interestingly, our Adult Study Group, which meets at 7:30 on Saturday evenings when I am in town (Dec. 15th, Jan. 12th, Jan. 26th, Feb. 9th, Feb. 26th ) under the able direction of Joni Doddemeade, has been examining and discussing the book, The Genesis of Justice by Alan Dershowitz. This fascinating book, of which we have covered 3 chapters out of 14 through November, examines the foundation for our democratic system of justice and shows how it developed in the Book of Genesis. Why not join us! Try it! You ll like it! Bests wishes for a Happy Hanukkah and happy secular New Year. Rabbi Robert Goodman How To Reach The Rabbi: Pager: When in Winter Haven call: Hampton Inn

4 Yahrtzeit 12/ Ruth Spiwak grandmother of Randy Spiwak 12/01 Walter Porges grandfather of Janice Carl 12/08 Leonard Chase Perpetual Yartzeit 12/10 Abraham Goodman father of Rabbi Robert Goodman 12/21 Harry Feder father of Art Feder 12/27 Bernard Engleman former husband of Regina Epstein 12/28 Jan Grayson wife of Mel Grayson 12/29 Lillian Jacobson Siegel grandmother of Meryl Chayt 21 Kislev Edwin S. Chayt father of Steven Chayt 24 Kislev Leon Kaplan father of Stan Kaplan 1/ Charles Cooper perpetual yartzeit 1/ Elsie Cusik grandmother of Sharon Hodges 1/02 Roger Wagner father of Karen Kaplan 1/05 Hattie Kramer mother of Jan Brungard 1/12 Morris Kohen grandfather of Margo Fleisher Bond 1/12 Harry Hershman father of Marilyn Fisher 1/27 Harry L. Podoll father of LaVerne Luke, grandfather of Janis Koike 2 Tevet Samuel Rinzler grandfather of Stan Kaplan Donations Lloyd and Michelle Chain have made a building fund donation in honor of their children; Hunter and Morgan to celebrate their Hebrew naming done in November Harry and Kate Posey building fund donation in memory of Hugh D. Posey and Hyman Cohen Priscilla and Bruce Gerber have made the following building fund donations: In honor of the marriage of their son Dr. Joel Gerber to Jean Marie Lucas on November 3rd in Baltimore, Maryland. In honor of their granddaughter Brooke Carline, born June 28th to their son Dr. Mark Gerber and wife Kenda.In memory of Mary Loewy. Robert and Pat Lerner memorial donation in memory of his father, Martin W. Lerner Stan Friedmann and his family wish to thank all the members of Beth Shalom and the Polk County community who have extended their thoughts and prayers during Joyce's long illness. The following Building Fund Donations were received in memory of Joyce Friedmann who passed away October 15, 2001: Edie, Nancy, Sally, Amanda & April Schnell Sharon & Michael Iracondo Paul & Jennifer Meyer Harold &Donna White Edward & Bertha Friedmann The staff from Catering with Style, Inc. of SanFrancisco, CA Alan & Louise Katz Mary Jo & Willis Whittington Marc & Beth Feldman Robert & Pat Lerner Jack & Bernice Friedman Robert & Darlene Jackson Dr. John & Lois Susac Lavern & William Jackson Steve Conte Bruce & Joann Parker William & Constance Colbert Sandra & Craig Story William & Josephine Hoffses Jimmy & Audrey Dickens Marsha & Randy Kramer & Family Kate & Harry Posey Pediatric Health Choice of Tampa Florida Arthur & Aase Feder Regina Epstein Jean Parcel Stan & Karen Kaplan Linda & Norman Small John & Doris Reynold Lea Nozik James Prindiville Debra & Blain Hawley Billie Erde Mattie Wolf Lenora & Edward Lubin Harry & Sandy Gasson Janis & Matt Koike Richard & Helen Hughes, Rick, Stephanie, Brittany & Lauren Hughes Bruce & Priscilla Gerber Steven & Meryl Chayt

5 HappyBirthday 12/2 Pat Lerner 12/3 Stan Kaplan 12/4 Rabbi Fred Natkin 12/7 Aase Feder 12/9 Laura Berkowitz 12/9 Hunter Chain 12/11 Megan Collier 12/14 Diane Baum 12/17 Ruth Weitzenkorn 12/17 David Lipschitz 12/19 Jonathan Kaplan 12/19 Michelle Chain 12/23 Evan Berkowitz 12/29 James Crain 12/31 Diana Stoler 1/5 Jeanne Heyman 1/8 Ken Essig 1/16 Benjamin Vickers 1/18 Vicky Braverman 1/19 Marsha Kramer 1/21 Laurel Friedman 1/24 Harry Gasson 1/30 Stephanie Adelman 1/31 Steven Chayt 1/31 Beth Feldman Anniversaries 12/17 William & Cela Swinford 1/18 Henry & Carol Stern 1/30 Lloyd & Michelle Chain NewBoardMember Margo Bond has resigned her position from the Board because of additional family and professional responsibilities. We thank her for serving on the Board and coordinating the Oneg Shabbat assignments. David Lipschitz has joined the Board of Directors. Congratulations and thank you. AddressChange Regina Epstein 2036 Quail Ridge Drive Lake Wales, FL MazelTov Margo Bond has authored a new book, Cross Training for Dual Disorders, a manual to assist providers of services for mental health and substance abuse. Co-authors are Donna Burton and Arthur Cox. The publisher is Vantage Press. Hunter Chain, Morgan Chain, Emma Rose Katz, Lynn Theisen, Benjamin Vickers, and Katherine Vickers received their Hebrew names at the November 16th Shabbat service. ThankYous Oneg Shabbat Hosts: Joni Doddemeade, Mattie Wolf, Vickie Braverman, Lynn Theisen, Frank and Margo Bond, Allan and Lou Katz Saturday Dessert Discussion hosts Billee Erde, Janis Koike, Henry and Carol Stern. Pat Lerner for coordinating the Chanukah gift shop. Randy and Marsha Kramer for hosting the Theater Night Reception at their home. Marsha Kramer for coordinating the sale of tickets to the Theater Winter Haven production of Visiting Mr. Green. GetWellWishes Betty Mehrlust Michael Ziebelman Henry Stern Committees David Theisen Mary Goodman The Board of Directors has appointed new committee chairmen. We thank them for graciously accepting their new responsibilities and ask that you support their efforts. Building Fund... Allan Katz Religious Practices... Valerie Spiwak Oneg Shabbat... Lynn Theisen

6 a new word for many. Other answers were kvell, nachas, and schmooze. Parents take this game very seriously and profit from it as much as their children. SundaySchoolNews A special thank-you to Kelley Collier, Marcia Kramer, Pat Lerner and Ruth Vickers for stepping in to take over the Jewish history class when a new teacher was needed. Each of these parents have a child in the class, and they are taking turns teaching the class using curricular materials prepared by Rabbi Goodman to supplement the text and workbook. These four parents are giving their children a very special message, namely, that they are truly interested in their children s religious education and are willing to commit themselves to studying with them as they teach the class. They serve as an excellent role model to their children and to all of us. The weekend of December will feature our religious school students. On Friday evening, the students will lead the service. In addition to leading us in a special Hanukkah reading, they will present a humorous Hanukkah mini-play. During the service families are asked to bring their Chanukiyot (Hanukkah Menorahs with them, and we will have a joint Menorah-lighting ceremony. Sunday morning, December 16th will be devoted to a Hanukkah celebration that includes a joint Chanukiyah-lighting ceremony, dreidel games, latkes, crafts, and other activities. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to participate in this FAMILY HANUKKAH CELEBRA- TION. Sunday School Visit November 11 Chanukah candle blessings and a delightful medley of traditional and new Chanukah songs put everyone in a happy mood for Sunday School on November 11. A spirited game of Jewish Jeopardy followed. Three teams of parents and children selected questions from Yiddish Words, Foods We Eat, Jewish History, Jewish Practices, and Jewish Holidays. The 25-point questions were chosen first and all three teams celebrated first-round victories as Katie Vickers carefully recorded the scores. Yiddush Words prompted lively questions and answers. Gangamacher was Next, Stephen Mervis defined the new Yiddush word for the day: schmatte is a rag. As students offered example sentences, Mrs. Posey reminded everyone that schmatte meant rag, but generally in the context of old clothing. Brian Lerner concluded the morning assembly with the announcement that the Tsedakah fund totaled $ The children then broke up into smaller classes. The young children taught by Valerie Spiwak and Meryl Crews talked about Noah and colored pictures of the Biblical Story. Pat. Lerner s class discussed Hellenism and the appeal of Greek traditions to the Jewish people during the time of the Maccabees. Kate Posey s Confirmation class studied the 23 Psalm by comparing two translations. All the while, Joyce Preston held Hebrew classes where the children created mock Hebrew sentences from the various words in each lesson. Their classmates listened and translated the sentences into English. Student Honors Lela Posey is a member the Auburndale High School Band which received superior ratings that the state competition last month. Rachel Spiwak was named to the honor roll at Roosevelt Academy in Lake Wales. Out of a total of 76 chess players, Ben Vickers ranked in the 8th postion. Camp Coleman Looking for summer activities? Consider Camp Coleman. Located north of Atlanta, this UAHC camp has been serving the Southern region since Along with sports, crafts, and other typical camp activities, Coleman provides an opportunity for campers to explore their Judaism. Coleman provides a creative setting for Jewish living and learning, through camp programming. This is a great opportunity for our children to make life-long friendships. Camp Coleman is accepting applications for the 2002 summer camp programs. Anyone interested can or call Rob Lerner for an application. You can also visit Camp Coleman's website at or them at campcole@aol.com.

7 AdultEdNews Fun with The Dersh! Gratitude goes out to Jeanne and Jerry Heyman, Janis Koike, and Billee Erde for recent hostings of the adult education discussion group. We are currently talking about The Genesis of Justice, by Alan Dershowitz. If you want to know what chapter to read before the next discussion, or if you want to know where we re meeting, call or Joni Doddemeade. In our last session, Rabbi Goodman asked some thought-provoking questions that stimulated sagacious observations from temple literati Paul Weitzenkorn, Henry Stern, and Valerie Spiwak. Comic relief was provided by the dynamic and irrepressible Billee Erde. TempleBookClub Eight members gathered at the home of Janis Koike on November 7 to explore the kaleidoscope of ideas suggested by Myla Goldberg s first novel, Bee Season. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 at the home of Jeanne Heyman. The selection is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. Please call Janis Koike at for more information and please RSVP to Jeanne ( ). Read Any Good Jewish Books Lately? How about writing a book review for the newsletter? Please send your book ideas and reviews to Janis Koike. Don t miss the excitement! Don t miss the insight! We ve got literary analysis biblical interpretation Jewish history and of course, lots of good humor. If you have a free Saturday night on a weekend the rabbi s in town, join the adult education group. You ll be glad you did. B nai B rith Events An Evening with Funny Girl Saturday Night February 23rd, 2002 at the Polk Theater in Lakeland. A live, professional touring company musical that is exhilarating fun. Tickets are $19.50 balcony and $24.50 main level. Send your check made out to B nai B rith to Carolee Kirshman 4815 Leisurewood Lane Lakeland or call for info B nai B rith theater bus trip to the Asolo on March 17, 2002 and see the hilarious comedy The Tale of the Allergist s Wife Last season s Tony-Nominated Broadway Hit! A deliciously devious social satire of the spiritual turmoil of Marjorie, an anxiety-riddled Manhattan matron. She s been running on empty and fruitlessly searching for fulfillment, but with a puritanical husband, jet-setting friends, a repellent mother and long lost acquaintances dropping by, who has time for a nervous breakdown? $45.00 per person includes bus and box lunch Please call Korina Masters at asap

8 Calendar December Sun. Dec. 9 10:00 am Religious School Fri. Dec. 14 8:00 pm Hanukkah Shabbat Service Sat. Dec. 15 7:30 pm Adult Education Sun. Dec :00 am Hanukkah Family Celebration Tues. Dec. 18 7:30 pm Temple Board Meeting January Sun. Jan. 6 10:00 am Religious School Fri. Jan 11 8:00 pm ShabbatWorship Service Sat. Jan. 12 7:30 pm Adult Education Sun. Jan :00 am Religious School Tues. Jan.15 7:30 pm Temple Board Meeting Sun. Jan. 20 No Religious School Fri. Jan 25 8:00 pm Shabbat TuB'Shevat Service Sat. Jan. 26 7:30 pm Adult Education Sun Jan :00 am Religious School February Sun. Feb. 3 10:00 am Religious School Fri. Feb. 8 8:00 pm Shabbat Service Sat. Feb. 9 7:30 pm Adult Education Sun. Feb :00 am Religious School Potato Latkes 3 cups grated raw potatoes, drained 1 onion, grated 1 tsp. salt 2 eggs, beaten 3 tbs. matzoh meal or flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder oil for frying Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Drop by tablespoons into hot oil in a skillet. Fry on both sides until brown. Drain well. Serve hot with applesauce or sour cream. From: A Festival of Jewish Cooking, Collected and designed by Carole Lowenstein edition Polk County Reform Jewish Congregation P.O. Box 313 Winter Haven, FL

Chai Lites. Saturday, June 9, 2018 Renee Cohen will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah

Chai Lites. Saturday, June 9, 2018 Renee Cohen will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Mail: P.O. Box 313 Winter Haven, FL 33882-0313 Member of U.R.J. TEMPLE BETH SHALOM Chai Lites May 2018 Phone: 863-292-0722 Website: http://www.templebethshalompolk.org Introducing the 2018-19 Temple Beth