FEBRUARY 2016 Rabbi Stephen Wylen THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA AT BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION I was reading the shelves in our Temple library. I was fascinated to note that we had two complete copies of the Jewish Encyclopedia, a massive compendium published in 1901 and utterly useless by contemporary academic standards. The editorial board is a Who s Who of great Jewish scholars of the previous century. Some of their writings were still assigned when I went to seminary, others were frequently referenced for their role in the evolution of modern Jewish scholarship. Encyclopedias virtually all suffer from the same weaknesses. As the entries are written by a multitude of authors, not all are of equal value. Since they cover a vast realm of knowledge, it is inevitable that some entries become outdated by new discoveries almost at once. Little by little the encyclopedia becomes unreliable as a source of accurate information. At best an encyclopedia is a period piece, demonstrating the state of knowledge at a particular point in time. The Encyclopedia Judaica was the last massive effort to create a Jewish encyclopedia in the English language. It was published in the 1970's while I was in rabbinical seminary. At great expense I bought a set, 16 volumes, thinking it would be indispensable. In fact I seldom consulted it. When I retired I owned four sets, the other three having been dropped in my lap by congregants clearing their shelves before moving. The sets were hard to give away. Today you would do a Google check if you needed this kind of information. The era of Jewish encyclopedism follows the Enlightenment and the emancipation of European Jewry. As Jews acquired secular education and abandoned the yeshiva there was widespread fear that the vast sea of Jewish wisdom would no longer be navigated. A steady stream of Jewish encyclopedias and anthologies attempted to preserve the best of Jewish teachings for a general audience who were learned and intellectual but no longer familiar with the Hebrew and Aramaic source texts. Our cloth-bound set of The Jewish Encyclopedia was purchased and donated by Rabbi and Mrs. Perry Nussbaum in honor of their grandson, Jason Arthur Rubinstein. Our other set is leather-bound with gilded pages. This set of books was specially commissioned from the publisher by Isidore Dreyfus in memory of his parents, Solomon and Bertha. The books must have been in his private collection and donated to the synagogue years later, after his passing and after Rabbi Nussbaum had already donated his set. I know from the stones in the cemetery that the Dreyfus family were once important members of the Jackson, MS community. We probably do not need two sets of this antiquated work for any practical reason, but due to their provenance each set has a place in the history of the Temple. They belong on our library shelves.
From the President... During the board installation service in January, I shared a few thoughts about Beth Israel and the community we have created. I ask that this be a year of involvement to enhance our congregation even further. A year of involvement is one where we can enjoy one another while supporting the programs and activities of the congregation. First, thanks to all of you for participating on committees, attending services and programs, representing the congregation in the greater community, bringing your children to and teaching in religious school, setting up and cleaning up after programs, covering the office in Rita s absence and much more. I want to challenge all of us to join a committee, volunteer an hour or two, experience some fun! It is fun and what better way to get to know someone than volunteering at your congregation, especially when you are slicing brisket, stacking chairs together and the like! And if you are already a regular volunteer, invite someone that isn t to come join in the fun! There are many opportunities for involvement in the coming months: Annual bazaar (March 30) preparations - bake desserts or casseroles, gather gently used items for the white elephant sale, solicit items for the silent auction, and lots more! Attend one of Rabbi Wylen s adult study sessions or suggest a topic for another learning or program opportunity. Volunteer to be a substitute religious school teacher, attend a Sisterhood social or help with planting and upkeep at the cemetery. There is no end to the ways that you can volunteer at Beth Israel. And, if you ve got an idea that you want to share, please feel free to email me at schippermichele@yahoo.com. Michele Schipper President REMINDER Article Deadline for the following: CHAILIGHTS 10 TH OF EVERY MONTH FRIDAY NIGHT LEAFLET 1:30 P.M. Wednesday BETH ISRAEL OFFICE HOURS 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
Sisterhood Spotlight: A Message from the Sisterhood Co-Presidents Mindy and I would like to express our gratitude to our Sisterhood Board for an exceptional Sisterhood Shabbat weekend. A special thank you to Ben Russell for helping lead our services and Josh Weiner for the lovely music. We had Fredi Bleeker Franks here from our National/Regional WRJ Board who gave an inspiring D'Var Torah challenge for us to think about in the year ahead. She met with our Board and Temple membership and engagement chair on Saturday for discussion and ideas for our next year. Our nominating committee has been busy and most positions for our next Board term have been filled, but if you would like to join and energetic and fun Board with opportunities for leadership and friendships that will last a lifetime, please contact, Debra Jacobs, Charna Schlakman or Rebecca Laskin. There is a place for everyone in Sisterhood! Cheryl Katz Mindy Humphrey Kugel Chicken Soup Betsy Samuels March 13, 2016 9:30 a.m. betsyrsamuels@hotmail.com Carol Kossman March 27, 2016 9:30 a.m. carolkoss@gmail.com Babaganoush Lynda Balfour March 28, 2016 9:30 a.m. lyndabalfour@yahoo.com Chopped Liver Hummus & Tabouli Cheryl Katz March 28, 2016 9:30 a.m. wckatz601@aol.com Carol Kossman and Debra Jacobs TBD carolkoss@gmail.com debrajoel@aol.com 2016 Beth Israel Bazaar - March 30, 2016 Want to learn how to make your favorite Jewish foods or just want to join us in the kitchen for fun, conversation and cooking! The Beth Israel Bazaar is fast approaching and cooking will begin in February. If interested, please contact the chairs listed below or just show up on the date listed. Thank you in advance to all our chairs and helping hands for your support! Cooking Dates for the Bazaar Matzah Rebecca Laskin Balls February 14 9:30 a.m. rebecca@laskintherapygroup.com Cabbage Charna Schlakman February 27, 2016 3:00 P.M. February 28, 2016 9:30 a.m. charna515@aol.com If you are preparing foods for the Take Home Booth, the pans, lids and cake rounds are now available in the temple Kitchen! Please join us for an evening of fun and beauty... Margaritas and Manicures Thursday, February 11, 2016 6:30 PM Manicures $18 plus tip LOCATION: VIP Nail Salon 6923 Old Canton Rd #102 Ridgeland, MS 39157 Please RSVP to Tammy Rubinsky at tbrubinsky@comcast.net Page 3
Sisterhood Calendar 2016 FEBRUARY, 2016 Martinis & Manicures Thursday, February 11, 2016 Chairperson-Tammy Rubinsky 6:30 p.m. VIP Nail Salon MARCH, 2016 Bazaar Set-up Sunday, March 27, 2016 9:00 a.m. BAZAAR Wednesday, March 30, 2016 APRIL, 2016 Sisterhood Board Meeting Sunday, April 3, 2016 8:30 a.m. Sisterhood Luncheon Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Location TBA 2nd Seder Saturday, April 23, 2016 6:00 p.m. MAY, 2016 Sisterhood Board Installation Friday, May 13, 2016 Shabbat 6:15 p.m. Special Oneg following Services Join us for a spaghetti dinner and a time to gather with your BIC friends and family on Friday, February 12, after services. The menu is spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert. A vegetarian option is available, but please pre-order with your RSVP. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for children. Please RSVP by Friday, February 5, to Mindy Humphrey at consulthns@comcast.net, and pre-pay by mailing your check made payable to BIC Sisterhood to the BIC office. Our next Sisterhood Book Club meeting will be held at the Temple on Sunday, February 28th at 11:00 a.m. Our February selection is In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume. Please plan to join us. See the edited Amazon summary bellow: In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was fifteen, and in love for the first time, a succession of airplanes fell from the sky, leaving a community reeling. Against this backdrop of actual events that Blume experienced in the early 1950s, when airline travel was new and exciting and everyone dreamed of going somewhere, she paints a vivid portrait of a particular time and place Nat King Cole singing Unforgettable, Elizabeth Taylor haircuts, young (and not-so-young) love, explosive friendships, A-bomb hysteria, rumors of Communist threat. And a young journalist who makes his name reporting tragedy. Through it all, one generation reminds another that life goes on. 2016 Bazaar Silent Auction News Thanks to those of you who have already contributed some wonderful items for this year s Silent Auction. Our team works very hard on collecting exciting items for the event, but we also depend on each of our congregants to contribute items (at least two) in order to have a successful Silent Auction. So, this year we are implementing a fun incentive program: For every item that a congregant donates to the Silent Auction, his or her name will be entered into a drawing for one reserved parking spot at the 50 th Annual Bazaar in 2017. The drawing will take place at the close of the Bazaar on March 30, 2016. We all know that the 50 th Annual Bazaar will be something really special and parking will be at a premium. Don t you want to win a special parking spot?! Just drop off your items in the Judaica Shop on Fridays before services or on Sunday mornings from 10:00-noon during religious school. Be sure to put your name on them! We need gift cards for manicures, spa treatments, restaurants, as well as unique and beautiful home and personal items. All items should be new and in its original packaging. Contribution receipts and solicitation letters are available. Contact a team member if you have any questions. Thanks, The Silent Auction Team (Susan Fijman, Melanie Dobel, Raizy Grossman, Esther Roberts, Arna Miller, and Tammy Rubinsky). Page 4
Education Spotlight TOT SHABBAT February 12 th 5:30 p.m. A prayer, a story, some Torah a new take on Shabbat for our youngest ones and their families Purim s coming, and that means two things: Auction & Purim Carnival BITY members at the NFTY-SO Regional Kallah in January. L-R: TJ Grossman, Eric Schipper, Hannah Orlansky, Joshua Guimbellot, Hannah Guimbellot, Abby Craig Noon on March 20 th mark your calendars come out to make merry and support BITY And Hamantaschen!! (watch the Blast for order forms, coming soon) Religious School Hebrew: February 3, 10, 17, 24 Sunday: February 7, 21, 28 (Note: NO Sunday School on February 14) Special dates for parents and students: All-school tree- planting outing to the Beth Israel Cemetery, February 7th Fourth-Fifth Grade Family Education, February 28th Page 5
MAZEL TOV!! Susan and Macy Hart announce the arrival of their newest grandchild, Walter Tex Martin on January 27, 2016, son of Hannah and Will Martin and brother to big sisters, Jessel and Reva. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. He is the 20th great-grandchild of Reva and Ellis Hart. Walter is named in memory of our dear friend Dr. Walter Berman who grew up in Jackson and made an impact on so many in his 52 years on earth. Rabbi Stephen Wylen will be serving as our rabbi parttime throughout the year. Rabbi Wylen will be in Jackson: February 1-February 9, 2016 March 18-April 12, 2016 April 28-May 14, 2016 June 10-June 25, 2016 Please feel free to contact him at: smwylen@gmail.com or mobile at 973-768-3942 Please join Rabbi Stephen Wylen in the Beth Israel Library for the next interesting and enlightening learnings on: JUDAISM'S GREAT DEBATES Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. Geiger vs. Hirsh vs. Frankel The Three Streams of Modern Judaism Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. Ben Zakkal vs. the Zealots Is it Noble to Resist or to Submit? Pledge forms are now due. Thank you to all that have submitted. If you haven t completed a pledge form, you are able to submit the information electronically at http://www.123contactform.com/form-1513954/ Annual-Pledge-For-2016-Form. Everyone who wants to remain on the membership roster must submit a pledge form. STEWPOT LUNCH SCHEDULE FOR 2016 Here is the schedule for Stewpot Lunch Duty March 28-31 June 6-9 October 31-November 3 We're supposed to have 5 people per day Monday- Thursday during our weeks. Please come when reminded and encourage others to join you-- men and women are welcome. As usual, a reminder of the schedule will be sent the week before. Contact Beth Orlansky at: bethorlansky@gmail.com STEWPOT PANTRY SCHEDULE FOR 2016 Here is the schedule for Stewpot Pantry February 29-March 4 April 25-29 June 27-July 1 September 5-9 December 12-16 We must have 2 people per day Monday-Friday during our weeks. Please come when reminded and encourage others to join you--men and women are welcome. As usual, a reminder of the schedule will be sent the week before. Contact Beth Orlansky at: bethorlansky@gmail.com Page 6
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 GENERAL FUND Alan S. Kohn Donations received in the Office after the 15th of the month will be included in the next month s Chalights CEMETERY FUND Donna and Ted Orkin In Memory of Julian Wiener Lynn Crystal In Memory of Leah Grossman Kantor Lynn Crystal In Memory of Cecille Shornick Lynn Crystal In Memory of Thelma Mitchell Lynn Crystal In Memory of Abby Hesdorffer Lynn Crystal In Memory of Lee Lehman Gotthelf Lynn Crystal CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND Donna and Ted Orkin SATURDAY MORNING FUND In Appreciation of Gino Giammarco Institute of Southern Jewish Life February Birthdays 1 David Docter 2 John Craig 3 Efrem Lehman 3 Rachel Lehman 3 Jay Hesdorffer 5 Melissa Daniel 7 Susan Fijman 7 Theresa Priebatsch 8 Robyn Levy 10 Jonathan Norris 11 Eli Abeles 11 Hannah Kaminsky 12 Harold Kolodney 12 Steve Jacobson 14 Shirley Eriksen 14 Shelby Barham 15 Susan Hart 18 Chloe Edwards 18 Betsy Samuels 19 Joseph Samuels 20 Caroline Samuels 21 David Norris 22 William Howell 22 Ian Rost 22 Ruth Docter 22 Abram Orlansky 23 Debra Jacobs 24 Honorine Weiss 26 Matthew Dobel 27 Mary Ann Schwartz 27 Albert Wahba 27 Zoey Rockoff February Anniversaries 10 Phil and Sally Cohen 18 Irv and Trenia Feldman WHITE ELEPHANT SALE Start cleaning out your closets and drawers. It's time for the White Elephant Sale at the Bazaar. You may bring your items to the Temple on Sunday, March 27th and Tuesday, March 29 th from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. If you have any questions, contact Charna Schlakman at charna515@aol.com Page 7
Non-Profit Org U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #123 JACKSON, MS 5315 Old Canton Rd. Jackson, MS 39211 Phone: (601) 956-6215 Fax: (601) 952-0895 bethisraelms.org We Remember Yahrzeits for February 2016 February 1-6 *Lee Gotthelf Phoebe Spencer William Friedman Abram Hyman Orlansky Viola Lucus Edward Hulick Jimmy Gordon Harry Magidson James Lucien Loeb Joseph Fisher Muriel Merlin *Judy Feldman B. Garshman Jennie Rosenzweig Mark Berger *William Hirsch February 7-13 Yonodav Allouche Camilla Wahba *Ruth Taub *Augusta Engel Lehman M.A. Lewis Ruth Chamow Erwin Adler Eda Newhouse Riki Hoffberg Dave Fisher Esther Levin Avi Schaefer Mary Sher Etta Cohen Joe Pepper Minnie Ascher February 14-20 Sidney Pollack Joseph David Sollek Louis Binder Celia B. Abromson Reba Gavant Frieda Levy Frank Kuerschner Lillian Horton Nina Katz A.D. Oppenheim Gailynn Ava Pollack Milton Smith Ruth Feldman February 21-27 Henry Greenberg Denise Elfassy Hamou Phillip Eisenstatt Esther Segal Fannie Swartz Ruth Muskin Sarah Nechamkin Irene Cessna Betty Kreisman Irwin Ross Sheli Hoffberg Alvin Hoffberg *Bessie Shornick February 28-March 5 Max Millstein Marilyn Schur Hanna Schussheim Madeleine Bluestein Jean Rosen Sadie Shapero Edward Schur Doris Rubin John Hart Lewis Adeline Fish H. Fish Steven Sherwood Isaac Mykoff Isidore Dreyfus Giglio Giammarco Eugene Hesdorffer, Sr. Rose Fox Betty Jaffee Lester Bear *Memorial Alcove