March / April Jake Davidson Joins Jewish Manhood. May Their Names. Board of Trustees

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1 March / April 2014 Passov e Sundow r starts n, April 14 THE OICE Bimonthly Publication of Congregation Beth Israel, Meridian, MS May Their Names live forever! Y ahrzeit plaques are available for application to CBI memorial boards. For information, contact Dorothy Dveirin ( ) Board of Trustees Scott Strasser: PRESIDENT Jay Davidson: 1ST VICE PRES Linda Miller: 2NDVICE PRES Sheryl Davidson: SECRETARY Lewis Rosenfeld: TREASURER Marc Fisher: TRUSTEE Barbaree Heaster: TRUSTEE Helen Meyer: TRUSTEE David S. Goldstein: RABBI Jake Davidson Joins Jewish Manhood A dar-i 19 (February 22) was the date of Jake Davidson s Bar Mitzvah, which literally translated means son of commandment. Until the age of 13, children are not obligated to observe commandments but it is generally believed that Jake has always minded religious and parental commandments! Jake conducted the Shabbat service in an outstanding manner, while reading his Torah portion flawlessly. The sanctuary was very crowded, indicating extreme interest in Jake s important day.

2 Your Activities Calendar for March & April March 2014 Su M TuWThFrSa Mar 7: 5:30 pm: Schmooze n Booze 6:00 pm: Shabbat Service w/rabbi Goldstein Mar 16: Purim Mar 28: 6:00 pm Shabbat Lay Service April 2014 Su M TuWThFr Sa Apr 11: 5:30 pm: Schmooze n Booze 6:00 pm: Shabbat Service w/rabbi Goldstein Apr 15: 1st Day of Pesach Apr 21: Seventh Day of Pesach Apr 25: 6:00 pm: Shabbat Lay Service Apr 28: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)

3 From Our Rabbi s Desk Jews and Sports B aseball trivia has always had a special allure for me, especially when linking in the Jewish greats who have been stars in the past. For example, Hank Greenberg, Al Rosen, Sandy Koufax among the sport's greats. But, in the aftermath of the Sochi Olympics we can add a few new greats, especially considering that Jews, while winning 342 medals over the years, have won only 17 in Winter Olympics. Our strengths have not been on ice and snow, rather in fencing, swimming and weight lifting. Until now. The enormous Aliya of Russian Jews to Israel has opened new avenues of achievement in winter sports. Beyond that is the fabulous accomplishment of Jason Bronze in figure skating, the Canadian Dylan Moscovitz in team figure skating, and most fantastic gold medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White in their glorious ice dancing before the entire world. Jews and sports go well beyond baseball. We have two new heroes to salute with enormous pride. Rabbi David Goldstein What s Pesach All About? P esach, known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the Seder (meaning "order") and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). On the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, Jews gather with family and friends in the evening to read from a book called the Haggadah, meaning "telling," which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings and songs for the Passover Seder. Today, the holiday is a celebration of freedom and family.

4 Words From Our President D ear Congregation, I thought I would share this with you. There used to be a group from a local church who would come through my neighborhood ringing doorbells. Their purpose was to spread the message. The more I politely asked them to leave, the more they returned ringing my doorbell and leaving pamphlets in the mailbox. Finally when I had enough of this I informed the trio gathered on my front porch that we were a Jewish family. We were not interested in Christianity. I foolishly though that this would end my interactions with these people. However it only encouraged them more. It saddens me to tell you that eventually I was forced to call the police on these people. Even the policeman seemed to put our religious conversion in front of the laws governing trespass and harassment. The deacon from the church arrived and did his best to cast me as the one in the wrong. Many of you know that a couple of months ago we were visited by a movie production company. Before Shabbat services they sat down and interviewed the children. The question of what it means to be Jewish in a small congregation in Mississippi surfaced several times. Each of the children spoke of having dealt with a similar incident as the one I described above. At first I was shocked that our children had been subjected to such insensitivity, but as I listened to the kids answer question after question with no hesitation about what it meant to them to be Jewish, I was in awe of how strong and focused they are on their Jewish identity. I have always been proud that we as Jews do not peddle our religion. We do not go door to door in an effort to amass followers. We have always maintained a quality not quantity mentality throughout our existence. We have extended others the courtesy of not having to hear our religious beliefs, and it certainly would be nice to see that courtesy extended back to us. Come to think of it, it s been a while since anyone rang the doorbell wanting to talk religion. Now politics? Well that s an entirely different subject. Scott Strasser, President Deeds Of Loving Kindness C ongregation Beth Israel gratefully acknowledges receipt of these kind and thoughtful contributions. Lew & Morele Rosenfeld made a contribution in memory of Jean VanOs, mother of Ellen Becker, Baton Rouge, LA.

5 Rabbi G. Looks to 2014/2015 C BI President Scott Strasser and the Board of Trustees are pleased to announce that Rabbi David Goldstein has agreed to be Congregation Beth Israel s rabbi for the 2014/2015 service period. Rabbi Goldstein s tenure, beginning in August, will mark the start of his 10th year as CBI s rabbi. Our congregation is delighted over Rabbi Goldstein s continuing association with our CBI members and, most importantly, it is a pleasure that Shannie will continue to be a member of the CBI family. CBI Sisterhood honors Jake Davidson s Bar Mitzvah with this Kiddush cup set. Rabbi Klaven Accepts Pulpit R abbi Marshal Klaven, presently the Director of the ISJL s Director of Rabbinic Services, has announced that he has accepted a pulpit in Galveston, Texas. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Rabbi Klaven first learned the value of community action in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle. But his path toward leadership in the Jewish community began in the Reform Movement s youth organization: The North American Federation of Temple Youth. The Meridian community will always remember him warmly for the services he conducted at the CBI synagogue, as well as for his formidable role in the several Seeds of Faith festivals conducted by The Episcopal Church of the Mediator, in conjunction with CBI. Marshal Klaven, with his wife Christina, will leave for his new role as Rabbi of Congregation B nai Israel, Galveston, TX, in July. Members of Congregation Beth Israel, as well as members of The Episcopal Church of the Mediator, wish Rabbi and Mrs. Klaven much Mazel and good health in the new pulpit, and in their new home in Galveston, Texas. May our paths cross again.

6 Yahrzeit Observances K addish is the most caring and respectful way we can manifest our everlasting love. Kaddish is the way we can actively demonstrate the Jewish soul is never forgotten. Kaddish recited Friday, March 7: Moses Lowenstein, Carlotta Geisenberger Loeb, William Pappenheimer, Ethel Walker, Harold J. Kendis, Levi Rothenberg, Henry S. Loeb, Opal Rosenbaum, Rebecca Rothenberg Straus, Robert Switzer Loeb, Calma Weiss, Ruth Rosenbaum Cahn, Dora Newman, Sue Alday Mayer Kaddish recited Friday, March 28: Bertie Rosenbaum, Miriam F. Kleinfeldt, Dora B. Lischkoff, Ella F. Sollek, Julia M. Threefoot, Phillip Adelman, Herman Weiss, I.A. Rosenbaum, Jr., Joseph David Sollek, Rev. Phillip Zussman, Kutcher Threefoot, J. Alvin Rosenbaum, Rabbi Abba M. Feinberg, Rosa M. Jacoby, Sadie L. Lerner, A. Leon Cahn, Sadye Herzog, Harry Mayer, Ettye LeRoi Elson, Ida C. Beren, Alex Loeb Kaddish recited Friday, Apr. 11: Sam Rosenbaum, Fred Grant, Doretta Weiss, Morris Kramer, Meyer Davidson, Lolita Weil, A. Marshall Loeb, Harry Harnick, Julius Davidson, Rosalind Grinthal, Bertha Weiss, Herman Feld, Emma Weil Arky, Sadie S. Dveirin, Stella Elson, Janet Kelman Kaddish recited Friday, Apr. 25: Rose Leah Mazer, Evelyn Turitz, Esther L. Lerner, Rev. Hirsch Zussman, Bertram M. Strauss, Oscar Dumont, Lee R. Meyer, Josie R. Lyons, Phillip Feldman, Louis G. Goldberger, Abraham Dravin, Leah Wigransky, Mary Davidson, Marks Rothenberg (M.R.) Strauss, Joan Solomon Adler, Meyer Pappenheimer, Ruth Loeb Meyer, Aleyne Ascher Kahn, Solomon Niemetz, Sammy Davidson, Joshua Dumont Listing of Upoming Services R egrettably, our CBI services are not always scheduled for the hoped-for, anticipated dates. Reasons for this are manifold. To dispel doubts and uncertainties relating to forthcoming service events, we are listing them herewith again: * March 7: Shabbat Rabbi Goldstein * March 28: Shabbat Lay Service * April 11: Shabbat Rabbi Goldstein * April 25: Shabbat Lay Service * May 9: Shabbat Rabbi Goldstein * May 23: Shabbat Lay Service * June 20: Shabbat Lay Service * July 23: Shabbat Lay Service Yes, service reminders will be issued. Well, we might as well use this opportunity to alert you to a much-anticipated and beloved holiday: Pesach. Plan to get rid of chametz Monday, April 14th, so that you can enjoy matzo ball soup comfortably during the Seder on that Monday evening. Perhaps looking forward a little too much, but Rosh Hashanah 5775 begins at sundown, Wednesday, September 24th. Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur begins at sundown, Friday, October 3rd. On the other hand, if you run across much hoped-for Chanukah gifts, that holiday will be observed December If you don t recall his/her size or preferences, ask.

7 CBI Thanks These Members I t is at this time of the year that we replenish our money larder, something which is possible only through the kindness not to mention generosity of our members. It is our pleasure and honor to recognize those who have answered the call. In particular, we want to applaud those who answered the call for some extra shackles. These kind folks have volunteered to increase their dues: Dorothy Dveirin Len & Jan Maith Harry & Karen Kleinman Harold & Helen Meyer Marc & Jimmie Kay Fisher Sammy Feltenstein Alex Loeb Perry & Robin Goodman One-time gifts were offered by these thoughtful members: David Shapiro Chai Lights: Birth Days & Anniversaries T he Congregation takes great delight in wishing the celebrants the best of everything. Many happy returns of the day. BIRTH DAYS Jay Davidson March 2 Anne Meyer March 13 Jimmie Kay Fisher March16 Karen Kleinman March 22 Derrick Smith April 10 Avery Goodman April 11 Caroline G. Loeb April 13 Bailey L. Loeb April 13 Linda Miller April 19 Helen Meyer April 23 Dylan Strasser April 28 ANNIVERSARIES Ronnie & Rhonda Loeb April 30 M A Z E L T O V

8 Published Bimonthly by Congregation Beth Israel P.O. Box 3456 Meridian, MS FIRST CLASS MAIL