WHY IS THIS NEW YEAR DIFFERENT?

Transcription

1 The Voice of Peace September 2017 ellul-tishrei 5777//78 From the Rabbi s Desk WHY IS THIS NEW YEAR DIFFERENT? When we assemble in the Sanctuary on Wednesday evening, September 20th, naturally we shall do so synchronously with 13 million of our fellow Jews in Israel, North America and around the Diaspora. But, what is true horizontally for the Hebrew new year is also true vertically in our own congregation of Rodef Sholom. According to the best of the available record-keeping, the Reform Jews of Waco have gathered to hear the shofar and begin turning in repentance since the temple s founding in In the chronology of the American Jewish community, that date places the start of our congregation at a point before the migration of East European Jews to the United States. It would also precede by at least four years the initial ordination class of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati (my alma mater). So, that, during the 138 years that Temple Rodef Sholom has operated a living Jewish congregation in McLennan County, countless and momentous changes have taken place in the life of American Jewry. Since the close of the 19th century, millions of Jewish souls migrated through ports such as New York and Galveston to establish families and businesses in the cities and towns of the Lone Star State. In the following generations, the descendants of immigrants entered the state s universities, the US armed services and various walks-of-life, ranging from agriculture to the space program, from journalism to politics to the professions and government service. And the persistence of Jewry into the fourth and fifth generations speaks well for the determination and loyalty of the Jews who chose to make Texas their home. From Ambassador Robert Strauss to entertainer Kinky Friedman, Jewish Texans have earned the esteem of their neighbors. The new Jewish year 5778 will nonetheless usher in a new era of uncertainty for our people wherever Jewish communities thrive. In the Jewish State we can shep nachess (derive consolation) from Israel s material and technological achievements, which are both impressive and legion. Yet, in the past year---and especially during the past few weeks---the ability of Israeli society to furnish religious freedom to liberal Jews has been called into question because of the reluctance of the government to honor its agreement to provide an egalitarian space at the kotel ma aravi (the Western Wall). In central and Eastern Europe, the re-emergence of new Jewish communities which had lain dormant since the war, constitutes an exciting development which betokens a time of Jewish renewal in the birthplace of Ashkenazic Judaism. Nonetheless, the political instability which has infected countries such as France, Hungary and Poland in recent years does not augur well for a bright Jewish future on the European continent. Finally, in the most important corner of the Diaspora, here in the United States, many Jewish communities are entering a sunset phase, while major Jewish organizations (including the URJ) have registered shrinkage in numbers and activity since the beginning of the 21st century. Specifically, I note that many of my rabbinical colleagues in the Reform movement lament the decline in day school enrollment and diminishing cultivation of the Hebrew language, a skill which connects Jews outside of Israel to the Jewish state and to the sacred texts of Jewry. (continued next page)

2 (continued from front page) The festival which most Jews recognize as the new year on the Hebrew calendar is, in fact, only one of four days called by the Rabbis, Rosh HaShanah. What we observe in the fall is the solar new year. In the Talmud, the Sages also indicate new years for fruit trees and the tithing of cattle. In the spring, two weeks prior to Passover, the Mishnah calls for a lunar new year on the first of nissan to mark the beginning of the pilgrimage festivals, months and the reigns of Israel s kings. So, in the language of the Passover Haggadah, we could borrow from the Four Questions and ask, Why is this new year different than all other Jewish new years? Perhaps because, at all previous new years on the Hebrew calendar, the Jewish people faced a different set of challenges than those we shall confront in May this season of preparation make us ready to construct a more vibrant Jewish future for Israel and humanity. Or, as the High Holy Day prayer book expresses the annual sentiment, The old year and its sorrows has ended. May the new year and its blessings commence. l shanah tovah ni kateiv ve nei chateim, May we all be written up for a year of goodness, life, health, prosperity and peace. Rabbi Jeffrey N. Ronald Food for Families Drive benefiting Caritas is in need of several items for their food pantry and as our High Holy Days Mitzvah, I am asking that you please help us with this worthwhile project! Shana Tova, Cindy Canned Meats (tuna & spam) Soup Chili Spaghetti, macaroni, pasta Vienna sausages Peanut butter Crackers (individual packets) Instant oatmeal or cream of wheat NOTICE In order to shorten our Yom Kippur Yizkor, to keep names from being mispronounced and to make for a more meaningful service for all of our congregants, the Board of Trustees, after much input and discussion, enacted a policy which took effect during the 2016 High Holy Days. Names of members will be read if they passed away during the previous year. Loved ones names will be read if they have a plaque on our lighted memorial board. Additional names may be read for a donation of $5.00 per name. Please contact Mike in the Temple office either by phone, or in writing to arrange for additional names to be added to the Yizkor list. The deadline for submitting names is Monday, September 25 th.

3 Selichot Saturday, September High Holy Days Schedule Please Note the Earlier Start Time for the Kol Nidrei of 7:00 p.m. Program: Interview with Rabbi A.J. Herschel 7:00 p.m. Social Hall followed by collation. : Penitential Prayers Gates of Forgiveness 8:00 p.m. Sanctuary Erev Rosh Hashanah Wednesday, September 20 8:00 PM Rabbi s Sermon Topic: To Begin and Begin Again Rosh Hashanah Morning Thursday, September 21 9:00 a.m. Children s 10:00 a.m. Morning Rabbi s Sermon Topic: Happy Birthday 11:00 a.m. Torah and Shofar Followed by a short Tashlich at the Bosque River Stage on the MCC campus Kever Avot Sunday, September 24 Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei Friday, September 29 7:00 p.m. Rabbi s Sermon Topic: What Kind of Promises? Yom Kippur Morning, Saturday, September 30 9:00 a.m. Children s 10:00 a.m. Morning Rabbi s Sermon Topic: Before the Eternal Will You Be Purified 2:15 p.m. Study of the Scroll of Jonah 3:00 p.m. Afternoon 4:00 p.m. (approx.) Yizkor and Ne ilah 6:00 p.m. (approx.) Break-the-Fast Sukkot Friday, October 6 7:00 p.m. Family, Pizza in the Hut. Simchat Torah Friday, October 13 7:00 p.m.

4 Please consider making a donation to the Temple It is a wonderful way to: Mark a simchah (happy occasion) Honor someone s memory Wish someone a speedy recovery Express Gratitude The following is a list of Temple Rodef Sholom Funds Activity Fund Endowment Fund General Fund Greene Family Camp Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Temple Sisterhood Donations will be accepted in the following ways: 1. Cash or check, by mail or hand delivered to the Temple 2. Phone Calls your donations will be added to your dues statement For donations to Greene Family Camp, please make checks payable directly to Greene Family Camp. The Temple will mail them for you. All donations will be promptly acknowledged. Donor names listed in the Temple bulletins will be their acknowledgement. Please let the Temple office know if you do not want your name listed in the bulletin. Donations of ANY amount are encouraged. Donations not designated to any particular fund will be applied to the General Fund. Donations GENERAL FUND IN MEMORY OF SAL TINAGERO Marcia Olmsted Birthdays and Anniversaries IN MEMORY OF GITLYA VINOKUR Michael Vinokur IN MEMORY OF ANN JANET COHEN Barry Cohen September 1 Loren and Martin Schwartz September 19 Gayle and Buddy Marcuis September 2 Cheri and Larry Gardner Hannah Love September 3 Louie Englander September 20 Jennifer and Dexter Sternberg Gayle Marcuis September 4 Cathy and Rabbi Jeff Ronald September 22 Eleanor Levy Linda Dreiwitz September 25 Barry Cohen Linda and Jeff Dreiwitz September 10 Jim Shinder September 30 Rana Bauer and Jim Staude September 16 Loui Dobin

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Shabbat 3 4 Office Closed for Labor Day Shabbat Board Meeting Shabbat 16 Selichot Program and :00 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah 24 Kever Avot 21 9:00 am Children s 10:00 am Rosh Hashanah Morning Shabbat Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei :00 am Children s 10:00 am Yom Kippur Morning Please note earlier start time for the Erev Yom Kippur KOL NIDREI of 7 o clock!

6

7 Honors Friday, September 1 Candles: Mendy Hanson Oneg Shabbat: Mendy Hanson Friday, September 8 Candles: Betty Bauer Oneg Shabbat: Betty Bauer Friday, September 15 Candles: Sally Roscher Oneg Shabbat: Sally Roscher Friday, September 22 Candles: Oneg Shabbat: Jennifer Sternberg Friday, September 29 Erev Yom Kippur Yahrzeits Friday, September 1 Martha Bloch Heyman Nell Levy Miller Friday, September 8 George D. Schwartz Joseph Dannanbaum Rose Gardner Friday, September 15 Edythe Kahn Goldstrich Friday, September 22 Elehugh Levy Joe Novich Friday, September 29 Freda Novich Louis Hirsch Johanna Levy Eva Kestner Morris Kleiman David Neuwirth Hannah Hirsch Martin Hirsch Louis Gabert Ellen Schwartz Aubrey L. Goodman, Jr. Below are the Oneg Shabbat Hostesses for October through May Shabbats. Hosting an Oneg is now a total Congregational responsibility. If you are unable to fulfill your obligation, it is imperative that you find your own replacement; please do not call the Temple office. If you need to arrange for an early delivery on your designated Shabbat, please coordinate the time with Mike. Thank you in advance for making our Shabbats even more pleasant. October 6 Hannah Love February 2 Shauna Bauer October 13 Pat Knighten February 9 Linda Dreiwitz October 20 Charlotte Labens February 16 Sara Jo Englander October 27 Glynda Neuwirth February 23 Cheri Gardner November 3 Pamela Terrazas March 2 Purim November 10 Sue Shipp March 9 Barbara Kirstein November 17 Elysse Englander March 16 Mary Jo Koss November 24 Jane Bounds March 23 Eleanor Levy ` ` March 30 1 st Night of Passover December 1 Ellan Burke December 8 Loren Schwartz April 6 Leah Sloan Love December 15 Chanukah April 13 Rachel Martinez December 22 Sue Hanson April 20 Martha Bauer December 29 Nora Householder April 27 Meredith Harmon January 5 Karen Humphrey May 4 Suzan Shinder January 12 Maura Jortner May 11 Alla Aksel January 19 Gayle Marcuis May 18 Abby Sobel January 26 Marcia Olmsted May 25 Tracie Hermann

8 n Kol Sholom The Voice of Peace Established in North New Road Waco, Texas Jeffrey N. Ronald, M.H.L., D.D. Rabbi Keith Hanson President Martha Bauer - Sisterhood Co - President Mendy Hanson - Sisterhood Co - President Religious School Administrator Michael Levine Temple Administrator