Eternal Light Volume 72, Issue 5 January 2014 Shabbat Schedule Fri., January 3, 6pm Gates of Prayer Potluck Dinner Parasha - Bo Fri., January 10, 6pm Union Prayer Book Parasha - Beshalach Fri., January 17, 6pm Gates of Prayer Parasha - Yitro Fri., January 24, 6pm Music Shabbat With Jessica Yellen & Michael Roth Parasha - Mishpatim Fri., January 31, 6pm Union Prayer Book Parasha Terumah Shabbat Morning Minyan Shabbat Morning Services & Torah Study are held every Saturday morning from 10am 12pm Audacious Hospitality by Rabbi Jordan Goldson In his address last month to the URJ Biennial Convention in San Diego, Rabbi Rick Jacobs called on Reform congregations to, in the tradition of Abraham and Sarah, practice audacious hospitality. I suppose that means that we should work at being more generous with each other in terms of the attention we pay to one another. Surely, it means that we need to be more welcoming to others and more helpful to those who are in need. But there is something else that we need to focus on first. In the past we have prided ourselves on the fact that Congregation B nai Israel was a big family. We have used the term temple family to describe the type of institution we aspire to be. Since many families are dysfunctional or disconnected, this term may not be as helpful as we thought. The message that was heralded again and again at the Biennial was that we need to become greater communities of connection. The Hebrew word for connection, kesher, is also the name of our college age programs (like NFTY is for our teenagers). It seems to me that Jews who are age 18-29 are craving connection with each other and with their Judaism, just not in the ways that baby boomers have in the past. This means that we need to find new ways to connect with them and with each other. Of course, this assumes that each of us will be willing to expand our connections with our community. I speak to many people who are content with the number of friends and associations they already have. But the truth is that if we want our temple and our Jewish community to thrive, we are going to have to be open to connecting with more people in more ways, maybe even new ways. Most of us are now using computers and communicating by email. That s good. But the Gen-Xers and Millenials are communicating by facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram and other means. When we baby boomers send emails to our friends, it feels like an isolated enterprise. To some it feels lonely. When the younger generations post and tweet messages, however, they feel like they are connecting to a community. They don t feel isolated. They feel CONNECTION! This means that we are going to have to change the way we do things. I know it will take a lot of energy. And who has the time and energy? But if we have managed to learn using cell phones and computers, then we can learn these ways to connect with our grandchildren. (Remember when your grandparents resisted using new technology to connect with you!) I am afraid that the future of the Jewish community will depend on our willingness and our ability to do so. For synagogues, that will mean finding new and different portals for disaffected Jews to enter our congregations. And that means that we have to be open to change and creativity, and that we have a lot of work to do. Continued on page 2
Volume 72, Issue 5 Page 2 President s Message by Marc Sager Let me be one of the first members of Congregation B nai Israel to welcome you to 2014! Wow, when I was younger, the years always passed by so slowly; nothing came fast enough - not my birthday, or winter break, or summer vacation. Now, I find that the years seem to fly by. So it makes me reflect on the year we had. It was full of some wonderful additions and sadly, some losses to our congregational family. So I ask myself is it good enough to just repeat a great year or to surpass it? My dad always taught me that you should always be improving! So, my goal is to make this year even better than last! For starters, I hope to see everyone on January 26 at 5:00pm for the CBI Annual Meeting where we will present this year s President s Award to Jimmie Murvin. Jimmie spends countless hours working with our children preparing them for B nai Mitzvah, was integral in transitioning to our new Religious School model, and participates in as many aspects of Congregation B nai Israel as she can. And there are so many great ways for you to participate at B nai as well. There are classes to attend, dancing to perfect, and services to worship at. There is Sunday school, B nai Mitzvah preparation and Confirmation classes. There are community gatherings, holiday celebrations and our Magical Mitzvah Tour. My hope is that you will find something that excites you and makes you want to participate to try something new. If not, please let us know. We are working on so many new things this year in order to meet and exceed the needs of our ever-changing congregation. I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and meet some new people. One great event to kick off the year is our New York Nosh Night on February 8. This promises to be a Jewish foodies dream. Who doesn t want to eat some of the best deli this country has to offer from Kenny and Ziggy s Deli located in Houston, TX. So invite your friends and families and I promise this night won t disappoint. Again, wishing you and yours a happy and a healthy new year. Marc Rabbi s Message continued This is uncharted territory for me. This is uncharted territory for the Jewish community. I invite you to join with me to create a deeper more meaningful community of connection in the months and years ahead. I am going to make myself more available than ever to explore, discuss and try new ideas. But the rabbi and staff and the Board of Trustees of the temple cannot do it alone. We all have to find ways to connect with each other more. So call me, email me, text me but better yet, send me a facebook message or tweet me. And of course, if you would like a hug, you can visit me at the office. May we grow closer in more profound ways in the coming year. Happy 2014!
Tevet-Sh vat January January 3 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Story Telling & Potluck Dinner January 4 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am January 8 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm January 10 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book January 11 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am January 12 Confirmation, 11:30am January 15 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm BRJFF Begins, 7pm January 17 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Gates of Prayer January 18 Tu B Shevat Seder, 10am January 20 Office Closed January 22 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm January 24 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Music Shabbat January 25 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am January 26 Confirmation, 11:30am CBI Annual Mtg., 5pm January 29 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm January 31 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book February February 1 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am February 5 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm February 7 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Story Telling & Potluck Dinner February 8 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am New York Nosh Night, 6pm February 9 Confirmation, 11:30am February 11 Board Meeting, 6pm February 12 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm February 14 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book February 15 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am February 19 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm January 21 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Music Shabbat February 22 Shabbat Service & Torah Study, 10am February 23 Confirmation, 11:30am February 26 B nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm February 28 Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book
Page 4 Tevet-Sh vat Page 4 Building Fund Barbara Young, in memory of Jane Facto Mathile & Steven Abramson, in memory of Silvia Steiner, Faye Davis & Frances Jalenak and in honor of Susan Kantrow s receipt of honor of Fundraising Professional General Fund Aileen Dampf, in honor of Larry Mann being named president of the Residence Association at St. James Place Marvin & JoAnn Bender, in memory of Bertha Bender David L. Safer, in memory of Abe Strong & Adolf Safer Prayer Book Fund Barbara Young, in memory of Jane Facto Beth & John Dupaquier, in memory of Ethel T. Prater Cemetery Security An off-duty officer will provide security at the cemetery every 2nd Sunday of the month from 10:00am until 2:00pm. You may donate to the Temple in many ways. The designated Temple funds are listed below with a brief description of each. When making your donations, please designate your fund of choice. Building Fund: for maintenance, repairs & improvements to the building Camp Scholarship Fund: for need-based scholarships to a Jewish camp. Carolyn & Bernard Schmulen Cemetery Beautification Fund: for cemetery maintenance. Endowment Fund: to establish a permanent base of financial support for Congregation B nai Israel. Gary Weill Youth Room Fund: for maintenance, upkeep and improvements of the Youth Room. General Fund: for support of general operating expenses of the Temple. Judge Alvin Rubin Ner Tamid Fund: for Jewish education of post Confirmation students. Prayer Book Fund: to purchase new prayer books. Rabbi's Discretionary Fund: used to support worthy charitable organizations and to assist members in need. Sandy Sager Beautification and Garden Fund: for outdoor Temple beautification. AMAZON.COM Is a good deal for you and CBI Most of us have scored great deals by shopping online at amazon.com. Now, if you go to our website, www.bnaibr.org, and click on amazon.com, you will go directly to their website and the Temple will get a percentage of the sale. What an easy way to support your Temple. Sylvia Steiner Religious School Fund: to purchase needed items and provide scholarship assistance for Religious School. Torah Repair Fund: for repairs to Torahs. The following memorials or dedications are also available: Tree of Life Leaf: $250 Yahrzeit Memorial Plaque: $250 Tree of Life Stone: $1000 Sanctuary Pew (1/2 side): $1500
Tickets now Available in the Temple Office 6:00pm 8:00pm
Tevet-Sh vat Page 6 January 3 Erlyne Wilson, mother of Jimmie Murvin Bertha Segalin Bender, mother of Marvin Bender, grandmother of Ralph Bender Paul Mills, husband of Marilyn Mills Ann Polack, wife of Joe Polack Marcia Kaplan Kantrow, wife of Byron Kantrow, Jr. Byron Kantrow, Sr., father of Byron Kantrow, Jr. Jane Facto, mother of Barbara Young Rabbi Brooks, friend of Rabbi Weinstein Mildred S. Suffrin, mother-in-law of RoseAnne Suffrin Edna Ullman, grandmother of Rabbi Jordan Goldson Vivian Quine, cousin of Jim Mayer Violet Wolf, aunt of Victor Sachse, III Louise and Aaron Littmann, parents of Nancy Rounsefell Barbara Howey, sister of Terry Howey January 10 Dula Mae Roby, mother of Andy Roby & Samuel Roby Sophie Mann, mother of Lawrence Mann, Jr., grandmother of Chip Mann Edith Brenner, grandmother of Edie Bender Joan Benson Frankel, mother of Laurie Frankel Anabelle Benson Levy, grandmother of Laurie Frankel Susan Gelernter Riker, mother of Katie Sternberg Louis Turchen, father of Judy Fishbein Ruth Dunn, aunt of Jim Mayer Charles B. Maas, Sr., father of Charles B. Maas, Jr. Flo Dardenne Grant, cousin of Tonet Dardenne Helen Polack Loeb, sister of Joe Polack January 17 Corinne Strauss Kaufman, grandmother of Carol and Lee Newman Ethel Landau Jacobs, mother of Betty Schwartzberg Joseph W. Samuels, father of Marc Samuels Joyce Barman, sister of Ed Bernstein Abe Stien, uncle of Dave Safer Brian Hulse, brother of Anne Fishbein Louis Liss, father of Ayan Rubin Edna Simmons, grandmother of Stacey Simmons Vera Mundt Miller, mother of Robbie Rubin Abe Levine, grandfather of Bette Levine Lisa Bertman Pate, daughter of Skip & Sandy Bertman, sister of Lori Bertman Ruth Yellen, grandmother of Joshua Yellen January 24 Lewis S. Levy, father-in-law of Robert Blumberg Laz Abraham, grandfather of Eric Abraham Adolph Safer, father of David Safer Fannie Lyman, mother of Doris Chesler Bessie Goldberg Mehl, aunt of Harvey Schwartzberg Carol Lewis Marx, mother of Jill Kantrow
Sylvia Steiner, mother of Maureen Corcoran Julia Bombet, mother of Ronnie Bombet, Julius Buddy & Richard Bombet Bernard Pressburg, husband of Gretchen Pressburg Isadore Lesser, father of Eleanor Fraenkel Fernand Katz Eader, cousin of Betty Schwartzberg January 31 W. I. (Irving) Washauer, father-in-law of Sylvia Washauer Jay Jalenak, Sr., father of Jay Jalenak, Jr. Barbara Perry, mother-in-law of Robert Blumberg Ricky Stockner, brother of James Stockner Samuel Schwartz, father of Sandy Bertman Helen S. Rosenthal, grandmother of Lynn Weill Harry Labovitz, uncle of D.L. Safer Martin Sage, father of Daniel Sage Felix Teller Weill, grandfather of Felix Weill and Laurie Brandt Barbara Marcus Desenberg, aunt of Susan Dampf May their memory be a blessing Yarzheits Yarzheits are traditionally read during the Friday night service prior to the date of the yarzheits unless other arrangements have been made. Healing Mi Shebeirach, the prayer for physical and emotional healing, is recited at the Friday evening Shabbat service. If you are ill and would like a mi shebeirach recited on your behalf, please call the Temple of ice at 343-0111 before noon on Thursdays, so the congregation may offer its prayers for you. If you know another person who needs the same, please ask the individual for permission to read his/her name before calling the of ice. Visiting Those Who Are Ill Congregation B nai Israel wants to make sure we care for our members and their families. If you have a family member or know of someone in our congregation who is in the hospital, has been in an accident, or is ill and recuperating at home, please call the Temple of ice at 343-0111 so Rabbi Jordan can contact them and arrange for a visit.
Tevet-Sh vat Page 8 By Jessica Yellen Our 5th annual Turkey Train was a huge success! We exceeded our past numbers and collected 130 turkeys for hungry people over the long Thanksgiving weekend! President and CEO of St. Vincent de Paul, Michael Acaldo, said that the turkeys that CBI donated ensured a wonderful Thanksgiving for the most vulnerable in our community the poor and homeless. These 130 turkeys helped to serve over 230,000 meals to many people who have gone for days without a nutritious meal and even longer without a safe place to sleep. Some are leeing abusive situations. Others are suffering from chronic illnesses. They come to St. Vincent de Paul because they are desperate and have nowhere else to turn. In addition to all who helped pass turkeys on the train, we wish to say Todah Rabah, thank you, to the following people for contributing so generously to this mitzvah: The Abraham Family The Aronson Family Ralph and Edie Bender Marvin and JoAnn Bender The Beychok Family The Bienvenu Family Sidney and Carol Anne Blitzer Allyson Bombet Harold and Laurie Brandt Maureen and Malcolm Corcoran The Fishbein Family The Foss Family Sue and Jerry Freedman Rabbi Jordan Goldson James Hickman Paula Hoffman Bill Hounshell and Matherne s Market The Jalenak Family The Brock Kantrow Family The Pheobe and Buster Kantrow Family The Seth Kaplan Family Elise Kaufman The David Kirshner Family Jak and Donna Kunstler Bette Levine Linda and Nathan Levy Joy and Tom Lewis Richard and Susan Lipsey Betty Magee Diane and James Mayer The Mullenix Family Jimmie Murvin Julie and Leonard Nachman Patty and Carl Newton The Pike Family Matthew Rachleff Bret Rosenbaum Alvin and Anne Rotenberg Robbie and David Rubin The Marc Sager Family The Warren Sager Family The Daniel Simon Family Ed and Elaine Simon The Dave Spivak Family The Tepper Family As we move forward from Thanksgivikkah to Tu B Shevat this month, we bring with us the value of gratitude, hakarat hatov. In Hebrew, this word literally means, recognizing the good. Tu B Shevat is a time of recognizing the good in G-d s creations; the trees, the earth, the air around us. Rabbi Abraham ben Maimonides said, In order to serve G-d, one needs access to the enjoyment of the beauties of nature meadows full of lowers, majestic mountains, lowing rivers. For all these are essential to the spiritual development of even the holiest of people. Children have a natural curiosity for exploring the world around them, which provides a great opportunity for parents to share moments of wonder and gratitude as a family. In Religious School we will discuss ways that trees shape our world and learn the blessings to express our appreciation and gratitude for G-d s gifts.
January Religious School Dates Tevet-Sh vat Page 9 CBI Religious School and The M&Ms invite you to a BIRTHDAY PARTY for the Trees January 5 No Religious School January 8 4:00pm B nai Mitzvah January 12 9:30am Religious School 11:30am Confirmation January 15 4:00pm B nai Mitzvah Sunday, January 19 10:30 a.m. Join us to celebrate Tu B Shevat, the Birthday of the Trees with Rabbi Jordan! A holiday event for toddlers and their parents/grandparents including songs, a story, a special craft and snack RSVP to Jessica Yellen at relschool@bnaibr.org January 19 9:30am Religious School 10:30am M&Ms January 22 4:00pm B nai Mitzvah January 26 9:30am Religious School 9:30am Grades 7 & 8 Family Breakfast with Rabbi 11:30am Confirmation January 29 4:00pm B nai Mitzvah Todah Rabah To Hilary Shaw, Adele Spivak, Amy Pickholtz, Joy Lewis, Jill Pike, and Dany Kaplan for their help with the Chanukah celebration. Remember to check the Congregation B nai Israel website Calendar for all current events! www.bnaibr.org
Tevet-Sh vat Page 10 Men s Club by David Spivak It was another wonderful year for the Men's Club Shopping Spree that took place the second Wednesday in December. Thirty five children took home over 150 gifts sponsored by B'nai Israel, and we were covered on the 10:00 news Wednesday night on WVLA. The children were ecstatic over their massive shopping experience, and even learned a thing or two about making decisions. Thank you to all you donors who sponsored this event, the remarkable difference you have made in these children's lives will be remembered by most if not all of the participants. I also wish to thank all the B'nai Israel who came out and gave their time to help shop and wrap, we couldn't have done it without you all. A special thanks goes out to Ellen Sager who saved the day helping to pick up the presents, Jeffrey Bender and Warren Sager for all their invaluable advice and direction, Kristy and Emily Mayes for shopping gifts beforehand, Ed Fisher for being Santa, and to Cathy Duplechin for all her organizational skills. BaRFTY by Erin Dean This month BaRFTY had lots of fun at our annual Hanukkah Party and the Big Buddy Shopping Spree. The Hanukkah party included an exciting and hilarious white elephant gift exchange, and making menorahs out of graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels, and other food items. BaRFTY also collected gifts for kids at Zachary Elementary School who won t receive many gifts this holiday season. The Big Buddy Shopping Spree was a blast, and BaRFTYites had a great time helping out a worthy cause. BaRFTY is looking forward to Winter Kallah in January when the NFTY Southern reunites again! Hadassah by DeAnna Ernst A new year and new beginnings and we always hope we are starting off right. First, we bid a big Thank You to outgoing Chapter President, Marilyn Martell and the best of luck in her new Regional position. I have said I have some BIG little shoes to ill from Marilyn's example as the incoming Chapter President for the next two years and it is my hope, with the help of the new Board, we are able to make the Chapter grow within the Baton Rouge community. I wish to introduce to you our new Board: Karen Ceppos, VP of Programming, Paula Samuels, Treasurer, Ruth Katzen, Corresponding Secretary, Jenalee Barnhill, Recording Secretary, and Michelle Kramer, VP of Membership While we have a well-rounded group we are looking for someone willing to be VP of Fundraising. So if you feel compelled to volunteer, please contact me. In the spirit of the new, the Chapter has a new email address: BatonRougeHadassah@gmail.com. You can still pass on information and reach me at my personal email but this should help make sure it does not get lost with everything else I receive on a daily basis. Our Calendar of events for the upcoming three months can be found on our website at Http://www.Hadassah.org/batonrouge. So, it looks as if we are off to a great start for the new year and that you are inspired, enlightened and enjoy the programs and events we are holding for the year. Thanks again for all you do for Hadassah, De Anna Ernst
Tevet-Sh vat Page 11
Tevet-Sh vat Page 12 Tu B Shevat Seder Saturday, January 26th at 10am We will celebrate the New Year of the Trees in the Tradition of the ancient mystics by having a Tu B Shevat Seder. This Seder is similar to the Passover Seder (4 cups of wine, etc) yet the theme is appreciating the beauty of the natural world. Delicious fruits, nuts and juices will be served.
Page 13 Tevet-Sh vat TURKEY TRAIN M&MS
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Congregation B nai Israel 3354 Kleinert Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Address Service Requested Eternal Light The official publication of Congregation B'nai Israel Rabbi Jordan E.Goldson Rabbi Emeritus Barry L. Weinstein Religious School Director Jessica Yellen Asst. Rel. School Director Julie Tepper Office Administrator Cathy Duplechin President Marc Sager Past-President Diana Mann Vice-President Deborah Sternberg Treasurer Lisa Binder Secretary Jay Jalenak Sisterhood President Linda Levy Men's Club President David Spivak Inquiries and submissions may be directed to Congregation B nai Israel 3354 Kleinert Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Tel: 225/343-0111 Fax: 225/343-0653 Religious School: 225/383-6810 http://www.bnaibr.org office@bnaibr.org rabbijg@bnaibr.org relschool@bnaibr.org Distribution of the Eternal Light is free to members and friends of the Congregation. Save the Date Magical Mitzvah Day 2014 SUNDAY, MARCH 30 There are two ways that you can help make this the best mitzvah day ever: Volunteer to be a Team Captain and help lead a mitzvah project Bring an item to the temple from the following wish list: Non-perishable food items: peanut butter, beans, rice, oatmeal, jelly, dried milk Toiletries Please contact Jessica Yellen or Julie Tepper