CONGREGATION AGUDATH JACOB

Transcription

1 CONGREGATION AGUDATH JACOB August 2014 Av/Elul Rabbi: Gordon Fuller President: Jeff Wolf Phone: Editor: Fax: Office Admin: Amanda Henson This bulletin is published twelve times per year by Congregation Agudath Jacob a non profit organization. Founded in 1888 Celebrating 125 years Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. My name is Randee Myers and I would like to introduce myself and how I came to be a member of Congregation Agudath Jacob. I have known Rabbi Gordon since he was about 18 years old. I was his sisters college roommate and so of course I had to become part of the Fuller Family. In 1976, I did not want to remain in Michigan with its harsh winters so I shared a Bekins moving truck with Susan (Gordon s sister) and Larry when they moved from Toledo, Ohio to Dallas and so for the last 38 years the Fuller-Goldstein family is our family here. I grew up in Flint, Michigan the oldest child of Margot and Carl Myers. My father, Carl Myers, was born in Marlette, Michigan in My mother, Margot Mono Myers was born in Cologne, Germany in 1926 and left Germany in She and her family spent two years in Holland and in 1937 they boarded a boat destined for New York. My parents were introduced by family members and were happily married for 46 years. I have a brother who now resides in Buffalo, New York with his wife and 2 children. As a child, I attended Congregation Beth Israel in Flint, Michigan. During the summers from the time I was 8 years old until I was 16 I attended Camp Ramah in Utterson, Ontario. In 1978, I opened a children s clothing store in Dallas, Kid s Kollection. After many years, I retired from the children s clothing business. Shortly after leaving the retail business, some friends of mine had a friend they wanted to introduce me to, Martin Birnbach, and here we are 20 years later. I am Martin Birnbach. I was born in 1937 in Brooklyn, N.Y. We moved to Miami Beach when I was 3 years old. I spent my early years during World War II sitting on the beach watching German U-boats blow up cargo ships off the Florida coast. As I was studying to become an air conditioning mechanic, I was offered a scholarship to the University of Miami. I am sure a part of my decision to join the United States Air Force after graduating from the U came from my early childhood experiences watching what took place around Miami during WWII. After military service, I went to work for a Dallas based company as a sales rep. I rapidly rose to a senior management position until the president and I had a difference of opinion and I was terminated. I started my own recruiting firm in 1976 and I still operate the firm. I had a talk radio show on KILF for 24 years. I have also done numerous television shows regarding my business (jobs). I met Randee Myers in 1994, and my life is immensely better. We have traveled extensively throughout the world. My favorite interview was with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She was exactly as you may remember her. I have a son and a daughter and two wonderful grandsons. My interests are jazz music, reading, travel, politics and of course, Randee.

2 Though you won t read this until August, I m writing it on the 18 th day of Tammuz, in July. Yesterday was the 17 th of Tammuz, a minor fast (daylight hours only) for our people that commemorates the beginning of the Roman siege of the city of Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago. Recently, the city of Jerusalem, along with the rest of Israel, has been under a different siege, one of daily rockets launched at it from the Gaza strip. As I write this, the rockets are still falling, and the end is not in sight. God willing, there will be peace again by the time you read this. Shivah Asar (17 th ) B Tammuz begins a three week period of mourning that ends on Tishah B Av the 9 th day of Av which is a major fast (25 hours) commemorating the many calamities that have befallen our people throughout our history. The first was the bad report brought by 10 of the 12 spies that were sent to scout the Promised Land. This led to our being forced to wander the wilderness for 38 more years until the generation born into slavery had died off. According to our tradition, the 9 th of Av was the day on which the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. The reason, according to the rabbis, was continually slipping into idol worship. The Second Temple was also destroyed on that infamous day, this time by the Romans, and for sinat chinam baseless hatred. Other events ascribed to this date include the fall of Betar to the Romans and their execution of the rebels in 132 C.E., the beginning of the Crusades in 1096, the expulsions from England, France, and Spain in 1290, 1306, and 1492 respectively, and the start of World War I. While it s not likely that all of these are historically accurate, I think it s a good thing not to focus too much on the negative things in life, but rather to combine them into this one day of fasting and remembering the evil that has happened to us. There are different customs, in addition to the fasts, that are observed during this 3 week period. Weddings are not performed. Some people refrain from eating meat, while others do this only from rosh chodesh Av for 9 days. One doesn t cut hair or shave during this period either. I don t usually fast on the 17 th of Tammuz, but this year I did. This year, it coincided with the Muslim month-long festival of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours, and then break their fast at a communal meal after prayers at sunset. I chose, as did a number of my rabbinic colleagues around the world, to fast in brotherhood with Muslims and to pray for peace in the Middle East. I broke my fast with my friends at the Islamic Center of Waco, and together we spoke of the problems, of peace, and of hope. On the 9 th of Av, I usually fast only during daylight hours so that no day is like Yom Kippur, which is the only day I choose to fast the full 25 hours (sunset to sundown). But I also feel that the fact that we have a sovereign Jewish state of Israel in our homeland, with Jerusalem as its capital, means that we shouldn t be as sad as we used to. I haven t yet decided how I will fast this year. I will wait to see how the current situation in Israel develops before I decide. As a community, we will observe Tishah B Av on Monday night, August 4, with an evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the social hall, including the traditional reading of the book of Eichah Lamentations. I hope you will join me that evening in remembering, and in praying for peace in the future. The rabbis tell us that when the messianic time comes, Tishah B Av will be turned into a festival. Bimheirah b yameinu may it occur speedily in our days. L shalom, Rabbi Gordon Fuller

3 Friday, August 1 8:07 p.m. Saturday, August 2 9:04 p.m. Monday, August 4 Tisha B Av Service 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 8 8:02 p.m. Saturday, August 9 8:57 p.m. Friday, August 15 7:55 p.m. Saturday, August 16 8: 50 p.m. Friday, August 22 7:47 p.m. Saturday, August 23 8:52 p.m. Friday, August 29 7:39 p.m. Saturday, August 30 8:33 p.m. Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh All Israel is responsible for one another Fulfill this by donated to the JCCW special campaign to by a portable bomb shelter for a new community in the Negev suffering daily rocket attacks. The cost is only $30K. Call Stanley Hersh with your pledge or mail to JCCW - PO Box 8031, Waco August 8 Dr. & Mrs. Jim Olmsted August 9 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Offit August 27 Mr. & Mrs. Brent demoville Leonard & Elysse Englander The entire congregation is invited to attend Kaspar Wilder s Bat Mitzvah August 8 & 9 in Portland, Maine. Please RSVP to Tracey Burge by July 30 th if you plan to attend. Get Well Soon!! Susan Silver Lois & Cal Goldberg Food from the Faithful We will bring Cereals & pastas on an on-going basis. Please bring packages throughout the year and we will see that they are delivered to caritas Rabbis Discretionary Fund Alice Todd The next monthly CAJ Board meeting will be held Wednesday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m.

4 Bernard Wolstein Judith Wolstein Jack Chodorow The Chodorow Family Morris Zoblotsky Morris Zoblotsky George & Lil Wernick & Family Adam Kiss Rose Todd Esther Goldie Lubin Alice Todd Herma Benjamin Morton Benjamin Kate Kahan Rick & Melanie Bauer Isaac Draiman Scott & Staci Reznik Sidney Lynn Shirley Hoppenstein Milton Harelik Dorothy Harelik LAST CHANCE!!!!!! If you are interested in reading an English reading during any of the High Holiday services, please contact the Rabbi no later than August 22. In Honor of Alice Todd Joe Schwartz s Graduation Melvin Lipsitz Rabbi & Sharon s Anniversary Naman & Esther Lipinsky Stanley Hersh s 2 nd Bar Mitzvah Raylene Silver August 3 Lilia Schwarz August 4 Kalize Bauer August 7 Linda Kowal August 10 Judy Begal June 28 Jake & Simone Bauer Brent & Dianne demoville Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin August 11 David Levy August 13 Colleen OConnor Wolf August 15 Joshua Harelik Shabbat Donations July 5 Jake & Simone Bauer Rabbi & Sharon Fuller Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin David & Kerry Wolpo July 19 Jake & Simone Bauer Brent & Dianne demoville Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin David Levy August 19 Aislinn Tala Brooks Judy Hersh Lindsey Weissman August 24 Simone Bauer August 25 Brent demoville July 12 Jake & Simone Bauer Judy Hersh Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin Abbye & Susan Silver David & Kerry Wolpo Scott & Staci Reznik

5 Congregation Agudath Jacob 4925 Hillcrest Drive Waco, Texas Summer Cook-Out Hot Dogs with all the Trimmings & Sneak Back To Shul When: Friday, August 15, 2014 Time: dinner, then service Dress: Sneakers, shorts & other summer casual Cost: No cost - Donations Welcome RSVP no later than August 4th Or cajassistant@grandecom.net

6 CAJ Directory Information Please fill out your updated contact information for the CAJ Member Phone Directory and return it to the office no later than August 22, 2014 Family Name: Spouses Name: Children s Names: Address: Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone: ( ) Cell Phone: ( ) Any Other Information: Please return this form to the CAJ office no later than August 22. You may also the information to the office at cajassistant@grandecom.net. Please call with any questions

7 YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR READING 2014 PLEASE RETURN BY AUGUST 31 Please remember the following Dear Ones at Memorial Services to be held on Yom Kippur. (1) PRINT the last name first, followed by the given name. (2) Please put in alphabetical order (3) Make one list for Men and a separate list for Women. Name: (Men) Name: (Women) I am enclosing of my own free will, an offering in the amount of, in memory of my Dear Departed Ones. Signature ************************************************************* Please Note: As in the past few years, there will be no individual El Moleh Rachaminm; the name of your Dear Ones will be read publicly during the one all-inclusive El Moleh. Complete the form above and return it to the Synagogue office by August 31, in time to add the names to the list.

8 HOW TO OBSERVE THE YAHRZEIT It is traditional to kindle a Yahrzeit Candle in the home on the evening Yahrzeit begins. It should remain lighted until sunset the next day. Possible prayer before lighting a Yahrzeit candle: Eternal God, I/we light this candle in memory of (name), my/our beloved (relationship). The light of the flame rekindles all the warm memories of the moment we shared together, and reassures me /us that a piece of his/her soul dwells in my/our heart(s) forever. May his/her soul be bound up with the bonds of eternal life. Amen. Candles are available at the Gift Shop. Every effort should be made to say Kaddish at congregational services. It is meritorious to perform some Mitzvah or to contribute to the synagogue in commemoration of the deceased. Kaddish will be read on August 1 Emma Lynn Av 5 Josephine Ringold Dr. Barry Phillips Abe Ellis Av 22 Av 23 Daniel Kamenetsky Irwin (Buddy) Levy Abe Berlowitz Av 6 Av 7 Av 8 Charles Brodkey Alex Genecov Gussie Rosenbaum Emanuel Rubel Rachel Goodman Gussie Beerman M. Cohen Simon Shalti Av 9 Mark E. Wolf Av 10 B.M. Goodman Jackie Harris Av 11 Samuel Lynn Kaddish will be read on August 8 Av 12 Sol Kempler Hannah Rosenblatt Norman Smith Av 13 Av 14 Av 15 Meyer C. Levy I. Feldt Isador Ellis Charles Goldstein Haskell Harelik Av 16 Isidor Ellis Av 17 Mammie Comer Minnie Wood Av 18 Joe Ellis Kaddish will be read on August 15 Av 19 Rachel Goldberg Jake Gandler Av 20 Sarah Levy Esther Samet Lee David Miller Charles I. Silver Ben Tobolowsky Av 21 Marilyn Ellis Av 24 Violet H. Lyons Rachel Aronson Sam Aronson Av 25 Rae Levin Kaddish will be read on August 22 Av 26 Mrs. Toby Freeman Av 28 I. Chodorow Eunice Rosen Adolph Schein Av 29 Av 30 Gertrude Brickman Helen Marie Hoffman Mitchell Stein Sam Taub Elul 1 A. S. Kaplan Elul 2 Bessie Chodorow Abe Hoffman Nathan Hoffman Sidney Solomon Lillye (Goltz) Silver Kaddish will be read on August 29 Elul 3 Elul 4 Elul 5 Elul 7 Elul 8 Elul 9 Morris Marcus Reichel Heyman Jacob Marcuis Minnie Rae Fink Esther Brown Frank Handelman Jake Hayman Julius Jacobson Michael Singer Dora Berlowitz Bennie Markusfeld Martha Heyman Jacob Halpern

9 August Av Elul 5774 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7:45AM/9:26PM 1 2 9:08PM 7:46AM/9:25PM 10:10PM 7:46AM/9:24PM 7:47AM/9:23PM 7:48AM/9:23PM 7:48AM/9:22PM 7:49AM/9:21PM 7:50AM/9:20PM Tisha B'Av serivce 8:00 p.m. 10:08PM Fast of Tisha B'Av 5 Av 6 Av Megillah 21 Megillah 22 9:02PM 7:50AM/9:19PM 10:04PM 7 Av 8 Av 9 Av 10 Av 11 Av 12 Av 13 Av Megillah 23 Megillah 24 Megillah 25 Megillah 26 Megillah 27 Megillah 28 Megillah 29 7:51AM/9:18PM 7:51AM/9:17PM 7:52AM/9:16PM 7:53AM/9:15PM 7:53AM/9:14PM 7:54AM/9:13PM :02PM Tu B'Av 8:55PM BBQ 7:55AM/9:12PM 9:57PM 14 Av 15 Av 16 Av 17 Av 18 Av 19 Av 20 Av Megillah 30 Megillah 31 Megillah 32 Moed Kattan 2 Moed Kattan 3 Moed Kattan 4 Moed Kattan 5 7:55AM/9:11PM 7:56AM/9:10PM 7:57AM/9:09PM 7:57AM/9:08PM 7:58AM/9:07PM 7:58AM/9:06PM ISJL visit 8:48PM 7:59AM/9:04PM 9:49PM 21 Av 22 Av 23 Av 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 27 Av Moed Kattan 6 Moed Kattan 7 Moed Kattan 8 Moed Kattan 9 Moed Kattan 10 Moed Kattan 11 Moed Kattan 12 8:00AM/9:03PM 8:00AM/9:02PM 8:01AM/9:01PM 8:02AM/9:00PM 8:02AM/8:59PM 8:03AM/8:57PM :39PM Rosh Hodesh I Rosh Hodesh II 8:03AM/8:56PM 9:41PM Av 29 Av 30 Av 1 Elul 2 Elul 3 Elul 4 Elul Moed Kattan 13 Moed Kattan 14 Moed Kattan 15 Moed Kattan 16 Moed Kattan 17 Moed Kattan 18 Moed Kattan 19 8:04AM/8:55PM 5 Elul Moed Kattan 20 [, Observance End, Printed July 23, 2014/25 Tammuz 5774 for Waco, TX]