Chailights. Egg Nog and Latkes DECEMBER 2016

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2016 Egg Nog and Latkes Rabbi Jeffrey Kurtz-Lendner to egg nog and latkes. As Jews, we are fortunate to be able to celebrate TWO holiday seasons. On the one hand, we just finished with the holidays. For Jews the fall holiday season begins with Rosh Hashanah and continues all the way to Simchat Torah. But no sooner is that season over, we find ourselves in the American holiday season, from Thanksgiving through New Year s. We move from apples and honey Hanukkah has always been a fun holiday, but it wasn t always the major focus of the Jewish calendar that it is today. Judaism has three categories of holidays high holidays, major festivals and minor holidays. Minor holidays are not mentioned in the Torah and therefore do not have the restrictions that the major festivals have. The minor holidays are Hanukkah and Purim. But Hanukkah has become a major focus of the Jewish community in America because it falls right during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year s. This period of time in American culture has become such a major focus that Hanukkah has become a part of that celebration. Frequently non-jewish Americans include Happy Hanukkah along with Merry Christmas as a greeting, and a recognition of the menorah has often become accompanied by the other symbols of the American holiday season. So while Hanukkah is technically a minor holiday within Jewish tradition, its status has become elevated in this time period of American culture that our addition of Hanukkah to the American holiday season, has become part of helping Jewish Americans to feel more included than ever before. As for me well, I am now looking forward to my egg nog and latkes. (And sour cream.) (And apple sauce.)

2 From the President... Michele Schipper President Beth Israel has been issued a CHALLENGE by an anonymous donor! For every dollar that our members pledge for 2017, over and above their 2016 contribution, the donor will match dollar for dollar up to $10,000! This is a wonderful opportunity for our congregation and we don t want to miss out on this incredible gift. The letters and pledge forms for 2017 were sent to you by mail. If you have not received yours, please contact the temple office asap. As your president and on behalf of the Board and staff of Beth Israel, we want to offer our sincere thanks to you for your commitment to our synagogue. Your steadfastness assures the success of our vibrant Jewish community. The pledges and donations we collect go toward making it possible to keep our doors open and provide services you need and desire. The budget covers salaries, programs, supplies, maintenance, etc. We assure you that we have worked to create a lean financial plan and that every penny is accounted for. Please turn in your pledge form by December 5, 2016, so that we can use this information to accurately budget for Your pledge is important please consider a meaningful increase this year and help us secure 100% of the matching Challenge! We have had a wonderful year at Beth Israel. Most recently we shared in the meaningful dedication of the Gus Waterman Herrman Holocaust Memorial Garden. We look forward to celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of our building and the Bazaar in early Please join us at the Congregational Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m. to hear more about upcoming programs and activities. We have a bright future at Beth Israel but we need you your participation and your financial support to make it happen. Many thanks! Beth Israel Congregation Annual Meeting Sunday, December 11, :30 p.m. REMINDER Article Deadline for the following: CHAILIGHTS 10 TH OF EVERY MONTH FRIDAY NIGHT LEAFLET 1:30 P.M. Wednesday BETH ISRAEL OFFICE HOURS An Annual Beth Israel Event Serving Christmas lunch at Stewpot Volunteers Needed More information to Follow Monday: CLOSED Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Friday: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Closed for lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Page 2

3 Sisterhood Spotlight: A Message from the Sisterhood Co-Presidents "Unity is strength...when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." ~Mattie J. T. Stepanek Thank you to our BIC Sisterhood TEAM! BIC Sisterhood has been focusing on planning for our next events. Many Sisterhood members will be cruising along as part of the fun-filled Annual Sisterhood Cruise in early December. We look forward to hearing all about it, or at least what stories will be shared. LOL! We wish you all participating a wonderful and safe adventure. December 25th, we will be having a Dinner and Movie Night. See the insert included in this. Our fun-filled Annual Chanukah dinner will be on December 30, 2016, so please join us for a wonderful holiday tradition. This will be A LATKE (a lot) of fun for our Congregational family & friends! We will be welcoming in the New Year 2017 with our special Sisterhood Shabbat, January 20th. We are planning an exciting evening, so we hope you will join us. And of course, we are extremely excited for our 50th celebration Sisterhood Bazaar on March 29th. We will be highlighting this special event even more as we get closer to the date. We hope you will share the information with your family and friends, as this is so important for our Congregation. Many, many people are already working tremendously hard to bring forth an amazing 50th Sisterhood Bazaar Celebration. Have you joined BIC Sisterhood? If yes, thank you. If you haven't yet, please consider doing so now, it's not too late. We would welcome you to join us. ALL of these amazing Sisterhood events are possible because of our Team --YOU and our Sisterhood members! Thank you very much. Sincerely, Suzanne Freedman & Frankie Springer Co-Presidents Page 3

4 Beth Israel Temple s 50th Anniversary Tikkun Olam Project Let s share Beth Israel s warmth as we cover the homeless. Please bring a NEW blanket to Beth Israel during the month of December to donate to Stewpot s homeless shelters. We will have a special Shabbat Service, February 24, 2017, to celebrate and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our synagogue building WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR THE 50TH We need pictures of Temple events and our members - both past and present. We also need lots of pictures from past Bazaars. 50th Annual Beth Israel Bazaar March 29, 2017 Please contact Debra Jacobs, Tamar Sharp, Susan Fijman or Jo Ann Gordon if you have pictures we can use. Page 4

5 Religious School Family Shabbat! Friday, December 9 th 6:15 p.m. Religious School students will help lead the service. Italian Dinner following. Advance payment $10 adults/$5 children 5-12 (4 and under free) At the door $12 adults/$6 children (until we run out of food!) Religious School Calendar: Sunday, December 4, 11 Wednesday, December 7, 14 5 th -6 th grade Family Education December 4 th, 9:30-noon A BITY Fundraiser Sunday December 8:45 a.m. Pre-Hanukkah Party Lock-in! December at the Temple Contact Hannah Guimbellot for more information: hannah.guimbellot@gmail.com $8 adults, $4 ages 3-12, 2 & under free with pre-paid reservation $10 adults, $5 ages 3-12, 2 & under free day of, based on availability RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Wish List: laptops, tablets, or netbooks for classroom For more information contact Erica Abeles at or ericaabeles@gmail.com Page 5

6 3 rd Annual Singing Together Jackson Thursday, December 8, :30 p.m. Rosemont MB Church 3930 Office Thomas Catchings Sr. Dr. RSVP tickets are $10 per person and tickets purchased at the door are $15 RSVP Link: If you would like to meet at the Temple and carpool, contact Dana Larkin at (601) or Make plans to attend this year's Holiday Spectacular at the Mississippi Children's Museum on Saturday, December 10, 2017 from noon and 2pm. This year s theme will be "Traditions from Around the World" One of the activities will be playing dreidel. Show your support and join Dana Schallheim and her family as they teach the community all about playing dreidel. Hope to see you there! Everyone is welcome At Beth Israel Temple; 5315 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS, A Drum Circle: For Spirituality and Contemplation December 4, 5PM Information: Dr. Rhythm Instruments will be provided or you can bring your own drum. Page 6

7 WE APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFULNESS OF THOSE WHO SUPPORT BETH ISRAEL BY REMEMBERING AND HONORING THEIR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS Donations may be applied to the following funds, per your request: GENERAL FUND MEMBERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TIKKUN OLAM FUND ENDOWMENT FUND ONEG FUND LIBRARY/PRAYER BOOK FUND WEBSITE FUND RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND SATURDAY MORNING FUND MUSIC FUND CEMETERY FUND CARING FUND (SISTERHOOD) ART FUND PROGRAM FUND JEWISH CINEMA MISSISSIPP BITY RELIGIOUS SCHOOL GENERAL FUND CEMETERY FUND In Appreciation of Beth Israel The Shalom Group In Memory of Mary Harris Joe Harris In Memory of Albert Wahba Cindy & Don Asher In Memory of Lucile and Albert Rosenfield Lynn & Roger Rosenfield In Memory of Albert Wahba Barbara M. Redmont In Memory of Mollie and Henry Spitzberg Lynn & Roger Rosenfield In Memory of Albert Wahba Ada May Seltzer In Memory of Albert Wahba Lillian Withrow, Eric Johnson BIC ENVELOPE FUNDRAISER and your friends at ADARA Sally Fran Ross Reva & Ellis Hart In Memory of Albert Wahba Michael Matulis Harriet S. Tanzman Sheila Hailey & Bear Atwood and your friends at Allegro Creative Shona Workman Sheila Rubin In Memory of Albert Wahba Jack Harris Diana Levison Marietta & Jay Hesdorffer MEMORIAL ALCOVE In Memory of Genevieve Falk Lynn Crystal In Memory of Genevieve Falk Deborah & Clay Crystal In Memory of Genevieve Falk Shannon Crystal & Bob Haber In Memory of Genevieve Falk Paula & Edward Erlich In Memory of Genevieve Falk Holly & Bucky Crystal RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND To Help the People of the Louisiana Flooding Jean & Stephen Rozman Celebrating the High Holidays Ed Robertson December Birthdays 2 David Blumenthal 3 Jacob Schipper 3 Bob Dellar 5 Elizabeth Emmich 7 Sheila Rubin 7 Maya Freedman 7 Kovi Katz 7 Mindy Humphrey 8 Bruce Schlakman 8 Jonathan Wiener 8 Sandor Feldman 9 Daniel Snyder 10 Macy Hart 11 Philip Pollack 11 Steven Dobel 12 Gerry Printz 13 Helene Rotwein 13 Erik Hearon 13 Jacob Smith 13 Bert Rubinsky 15 Justin Gould 16 Larry Goldstein 16 Marcelo Ruvinsky 16 Esther Roberts 17 Albert Leveck 18 Rory Schallheim 19 Alice Friedman 20 Kate Samuels 20 Eli Lazarus 23 Lynn Crystal 24 Anna Lazarus 25 Jack Blumenthal 25 Sheila Hailey 26 Nathan Docter 27 Gene Crunk 27 Bea Gavant 29 Alyssa Silberman 30 Tara Blumenthal 31 Jeramie Klein 31 Joe Harris December Anniversaries 17 Sharon and David Norris 24 Sheila Hailey and Bear Atwood 28 Honorine and Allen Weiss 30 Betsy and Joey Samuels When a newly formed Baptist church was looking for a place to hold services, Beth Israel allowed the group to use their old synagogue on Woodrow Wilson Boulevard free of charge. The group, which would later become Northminster Baptist Church, met at the old Beth Israel Temple for the first time just one month after the bombing of the new synagogue on Old Canton. This generosity has resulted in a long friendship between Beth Israel and Northminster Baptist Church. Page 7

8 Non-Profit Org U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #123 JACKSON, MS P.O. Box Old Canton Rd. Jackson, MS Phone: (601) Fax: (601) bethisraelms.org We Remember Yahrzeits for December /27/ /3/2016 Melvin Slifkin Allan Stewart Emile Wise Lucien Loeb Isadore Draft Maurice Sontheimer Carl Bonas Phillip Gressel Samuel Libglid Adele Bernstein Harvey Nelson Martin Zapletal Milton Friedman *Leonard Pepper Miriam Kolodney 12/4/ /10/2016 *Jack Freedman Meyer Levy Anne Trubman S. Cyril Hart Deborah Blumenthal Ida Schwartz *Rebecca Jacobs *Pauline Cohen Burton Friedman Barry Draft Ethel Geoghegan Fannie Abrams *Norman Stamm Mina Gran Charles A. Clarke 12/11/ /17/2016 Lillie Hart Minnie Nelson *Gus Herrman *Samuel Joseph Selma Geiger Brown *Frances Larkin *Joseph Ascher Esther Docter Rosalie Lasky Ira Rubin Max Fratkin Goldie Cecila Sokolsky 12/18/ /24/2016 Gilbert Metz J Lawrence Levy *Victoria Finkelberg *Phyllis Lehman Herman Cleveland Branson Louise Metz Israel Abrams Jacob Kulman Joe Gerache Leonard Smith *Harry Glass *Manny Crystal Jacob Nechamkin Andrew Orkin Wesley Daniels Joshua Goldberg *Millie Stamm 12/25/ /31/2016 Sam Korelitz Molly Belanoff John Sherwood *Lucille Rosenfield *Maurice Sollek Joseph Lasky Leonard Winer Isaac Epstein *Libbie Rotwein Molly Harbor Ewen Crunk Morris Mermelstein Linda Denmark Jack Harris Helen Praver Daniel Hendrix Kitty Steckel Roy Hanf Morris Danzinger Adolph Orkin III Louis Jacob Buchman Izzy Stone Arnold Draft Jack Laboda Naomi Rubin Fradie Bear Melvin Korelitz *Memorial Alcove