*** OFFICE HOURS *** 9:00 am - 5:00 pm M-Thursday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Friday Lunch 1:00-2:00 pm

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1 A publication of Congregation Sha arey Israel A Conservative Congregation Serving Macon and Middle Georgia Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism - Website: Editor: Deborah Adler 611 First Street Macon, Georgia DECEMBER 2017 KISLEV - TEVET 5778 Remember Choose Congregation Sha'arey Israel as the charity you are supporting. Executive Committee President - Evan Koplin Vice President - Anne Bayme Treasurer - Henry Oliner Recording Secretary - Pam Hill Corresponding Secretary - Lara Geller Ex Officio - Theresa Rosengart Board Chairmanships Adult Education - Jan Lewis Board of Education - Jennifer Bernstein Cemetery - Joe Finkelstein Gift & Memorials - Louis Piassick Membership - Marty Koplin House - Brian Crabtree Ritual - Jeff Lehman Social Action - David Ilan Ways and Means - Anne Bayme Secretary - Stephanie Johnson *** OFFICE HOURS *** 9:00 am - 5:00 pm M-Thursday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Friday Lunch 1:00-2:00 pm CHECK OUT BULLETIN FOR HANUKKAH ACTIVITIES Friday Evening Shabbat Services are held at 6:15 PM. Saturday Shabbat services are at 9:30 AM. Thursday morning minyan at 7:00 AM Please check the calendar each month for any special times.

2 Services at a Glance - December Friday, December 1st 6:15 PM Service Candle Lighting 5:09 PM Saturday, December 2nd 9:30 AM Service Thursday, December 7th 7:00 AM Minyan Friday, December 8th Rockin Shabbat 5:30 PM 6:15 PM Service Candle Lighting 5:10 PM Saturday, December 9th 9:30 AM Service Thursday, December 14h 7:00 AM Minyan Friday, December 15th 6:15 Service Candle Lighting 5:12 PM Saturday, December 16th 9:30 AM Service Thursday, December 21st 7:00 AM Minyan Friday, December 22nd 6:15 PM Service Candle Lighting 5:15 PM Saturday, December 23rd 9:30 AM Service Thursday, December 28th 7:00 AM Minyan Friday, December 29th 6:15 PM Service Candle Lighting 5:19 PM Saturday, December 30th 9:30 AM Service Sunday school - 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM December 3rd Tots and Teens December 10th - Tots December 17th - Teens - Jr. Congregation Afternoon Hebrew School December 3rd, 10th and 17th December 24th & 31st - No Sunday/Hebrew School NOTICE OF CALLED MEMBERSHIP MEETING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17th 6:30 PM CONGREGATION SHA AREY ISRAEL PURPOSE OF MEETING Purpose of the meeting will be to determine whether or not the Congregation wants to enter into negotiations with Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein for a new contract No business shall be transacted other than the purpose stated above!

3 ADULT EDUCATION CLASS LIMMUD - WRESTLING WITH THE TEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10th and 17th 10:30 am to 11:30 am (note change of time)

4 A word of Torah From Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein Legends, Battles, and Ideals Hanukkah will be here soon; there s yummy food (latkes and sufganiyot), decorating opportunities, and dreidel spinning and what is it all about? In this corner... Our talmudic sages seemed most interested in the legend of the oil burning eight days. They intentionally left out the Maccabean battles (167BCE and continuing for many years). As if to underscore the decidedly non-militaristic stance, the Haftarah for Shabbat and Hanukkah (taken from Zachariah) closes with not by might and not by power, but by My spirit says Adoni. And on the other hand... Our siddur features the prayer Al HaNisim לע We )ס םיסנה thank You for the miraculous deliverance... ) which definitely is focused on the revolt of Mattathias and his followers. Beyond the Maccabees battling the Seleucid Greeks, the Jews were fighting each other about the nature of Jewish identity. So lots going on here. Beyond the culinary and gaming delights, there s plenty to ponder: As we negotiate our hyphenated identities within a larger cultural context (and it s worth noting that American and Israeli Jews live in markedly different contexts), here s a very timely question we might chew on: What makes us Jewish and how do we think through what it means to be a part of a larger culture and, at the same time while maintaining our distinct Jewish selves? As for the legend of the oil, I think it s important to articulate that the story doesn t lose its power just because it isn t really a part of history. The legend is powerful shorthand for acknowledging the power of faith and the understanding that we can t do it alone May our celebration be filled with joy and light.

5 A Message from our President, Evan Elmo Koplin You truly have something special here in Macon This was a comment made recently by somebody attending a funeral for a family member in Macon. There are times we take for granted how special is our Shul. Whether it is coming together for a minyon to allow somebody to say Kaddish, or creative programming for our Kids education, or a fun adult ed program, or you name it, we truly have a special place. This can all be attributed to members of all ages who truly care about being Jewish in this day and time in Macon, Georgia. We are so very fortunate to have volunteers of all ages contributing time, energy, and creative new ideas. We look forward to upcoming Chanukah Family night December 10 th with Lena s World Famous Potato Latkes. The gift shop will be open to assist with all your Chanukah shopping needs. There will be a joint Community celebration of Chanukah at Temple Beth Israel on Saturday December 16 th. We hope to continue with the success we saw at the community celebration of Simchat Torah. I hope you all can attend this Jewish Community Celebration at TBI. As we move through December into the New Year, look for more information coming on numerous activities at our Shul. Lastly, Thank You to all our volunteers who make our Shul a very special place.

6 Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and ready to begin the wrap up of 2017! Just thinking that this is a time of reflection, and so thankful for all of you who support our religious school. Here s to you all who teach, carpool, plan, organize, buy books and Passover candy, attend and help! You are very much appreciated! Looking back over November, we had Rockin Shabbat on the 10 th with a joint Shabbat Dinner with the congregation. Thank you to everyone who helped organize the Rockin Shabbat service, and the dinner. November 5 th 12 th was our CSI Jewish Book Fair. We hosted Galia Sabbag once again. Galia is a Hebrew teacher at the Davis Academy in Atlanta. She brought the books in her Shira Series about a little girl and some of the Jewish holidays. Each of her stories portrays true stories of her interactions with her students and their families. Our students brought blankets and pillows on which to get cozy and comfortable inside our table made tents. Students were divided into small groups and in the tents our older students read the Shira stories to our younger students. The stories were followed up with Galia s activities that went with each book, as well as a snack that went with each book. Towards the end of the morning groups shared their Shira story with everyone. Galia was happy to sign books purchased, and our students had the chance to shop our Book Fair. During shopping students were challenged with two scavenger hunts finding books that matched the hints on the scavenger hunt lists. Everyone had a great time! Thank you to everyone who helped with the book fair, and especially to our older students for their help in making the morning such a success and so much fun! Looking ahead, our school will meet December 3, 10, and 17, the usual 9:30-12:30 (with afternoon Hebrew 12:30-2:15). We look forward to hosting Matt Bar and Bible Raps again on December 3 rd! Chanukah will be the theme this time. Hope everyone will plan to be there on that Sunday! Mark your calendars for Rockin Shabbat on December 8 th at 5:30 p.m. Remember, Rockin Shabbat has been reinvented to engage younger and older students! Come be a part!

7 FUN AT THE CSI BOOK FAIR

8 Macon Outreach Needs Your Support Please everyone, remember to bring food donations for the Macon Outreach Food Pantry. Our donations will serve many families in the Middle Georgia area who are in need of help. Items such as canned fish and beans, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, applesauce, canned fruits and vegetables, rice and pastas are all especially helpful. Please help contribute to Tikkun Olam by bringing a can with you on your way to services and/or religious school. Congregation Sha arey Israel is a partner with DAYBREAK, a daytime haven for members of our community who are either homeless or are in need of a place to spend a day with people; a place where they can shower, get a light snack, and feel part of a community. Donations are needed for the following supplies: shampoo/body wash; body lotion; paper towels; toilet tissue; 13 gallon trash bags; HE laundry detergent; bleach; disposable food service gloves; disposable razors; washcloths; spray deodorant; dish detergent; coffee; coffee creamers; coffee stirrers; sugar bags; powdered lemonade; canned fruit cocktails; crew and boot socks; tea bags; air disinfectant spray Daybreak has opened a boutique of gently used clothing. The store is called WEAR, and is located at 466 First Street. All donated items must be clean. Hangers are appreciated, but not required. Clothes for all members of the family are welcomed. All profits from the sale of the clothing will go to support Daybreak. You can drop off your donations at DAYBREAK, 174 Walnut Street COME AND ENJOY SOME LIVE LOCAL THEATER Trey Bellaire is playing the part of Chip in Disney s Beauty and the beast The Macon Theater, December 1st-17th And Robert Rosengart is playing the part of President Theodore Roosevelt in annie and Theresa Rosengart is in the Adult Ensemble. At the Macon Little Theater December 8th 17th Check out both Theaters websites for ticket availability and prices info@theatremacon.com and

9 Congregation Sha arey Israel Gift Shop For ALL your Hanukkah shopping Menorahs (largest selection in Middle Georgia) Gift Bags ($1.00 and up) Gift Card Holders gift tags and wrapping paper treat bags and cellophane goody bags Dreidls - Plain and Fancy Decorations galore Games, books, cookie cutters, cupcake decoration kits Free gift wrapping of all your presents Sale on selected items - 50% - 75% off

10 HELP CONGREGATION SHA AREY ISRAEL RAISE FUNDS THE EASY WAY SHOP AMAZON SMILE AND CHOOSE OUR SHUL TO RECEIVE A PORTION OF WHAT YOU SPEND A BRICK ON THE WALL OF JERUSALEM HAS BEEN DONATED TO HONOR OF THE LIFE OF RUTH FARBER Given with Love by friends A BRICK ON THE WALL OF JERUSALEM HAS BEEN DONATED TO HONOR OF 65th BIRTHDAY OF ANNE BAYME Given with love by Friends A BRICK ON THE WALL OF JERUSALEM HAS BEEN DONATED TO HONOR OF THE LIFE OF LEROY PALLER Given with love by Friends

11 NEW FLAVORS Champaign vinegar with parsley, basil and garlic White wine vinegar with arbol peppers and oregano (yummy & hot) Sherry vinegar with parsley, thyme and rosemary Red wine vinegar with marjoram and rosemary Apple cider vinegar with shallots and tarragon Only 4 of each left! $10.00 the CSI gift shop PROCEEDS FROM THE PURCHASE OF RABBI AARON S HOT SAUCE AND VINEGARS WILL BE DONATED TO MACON OUTREACH AND DAYBREAK

12 COME BROWSE OUR NEWEST ITEM IN THE STORE. SWEDISH DISHCLOTHS IN ASSORTED DESIGNS BY COSE NUOVE REUSABLE, DISHWASHER SAFE ABSORBS 15 TIMES ITS WEIGHT IN WATER - NO NEED FOR PAPER TOWELS SUPER ABSORBANT - GREAT DESIGNS The CSI Gift Shop Birthdays Anniversaries - Weddings Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Graduations - House Warming Gifts by appointment at any time. (within reason) Terri Frolich Or Deborah Adler Free local delivery ALL JEWELLRY 40% OFF SPEND $25.00 IN THE GIFT SHOP AND GET OUR CSI COOK BOOK FOR FREE AND A FREE JAR OF CHEF MARLA S SPICES (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)

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