SEPTEMBER 2017 Mishkan HaNefesh: The New Reform High Holiday Prayer Book Rabbi Jeffrey Kurtz-Lendner As most of you know a couple of years ago, our congregation invested in the new High Holiday Prayer Book published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. This year we will be introducing this Mahzor for our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. What does this change mean for you, as a congregant and worshipper? One of the best new additions to this book is, like in our Shabbat prayer book, Mishkan, all of the Hebrew is transliterated into English. That will make the Hebrew much more accessible to those whose Hebrew reading skills are limited. For the most part, other changes will be found in the translations. The substance of the English representations of the prayers have not changed, but the translations reflect a more modern usage of American English, as well as include the current philosophical norms of the 21 st Century American Jewish Community. Just as Gates of Prayer and Gates of Repentance replaced the Union Prayer Books back in the 1970 s, reflecting language and philosophies current to that era, now the prayer books have been updated once again to keep them relevant for the next generation. The most notable variation during High Holidays services, however, will be recognized in how the Shofar Service is rendered. If Rosh Hashanah were to be a brand, the symbol that brand would be the Shofar. Since, for the majority of people who attend Rosh Hashanah services, the sounding of the Shofar is the highlight of the service, in Mishkan HaNefesh the sounding of the Shofar is repeated through the morning service. Instead of having one long Shofar sounding service towards the end, the new prayer book includes shorter Shofar sounding services towards the beginning, in the middle and again at the end. What do you need to do? NOTHING. Just come to services and enjoy the comfort of being in your spiritual home during the most important season of the Jewish year. Pages will be announced, the music will mostly be the same and any alterations will be taken care of by myself, along with those helping to lead the service. I look forward to seeing you soon as we celebrate the Jewish New Year together. Leshana Tova u metukah. May we all have a good and sweet new year.
From Our President On September 18, 1967, just a few months after the dedication of our new building here on Old Canton Road, Beth Israel Congregation was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. Rabbi Perry Nussbaum had been outspoken in in community with a call for racial justice and an end to the Michele Schipper President violence that had taken place in so many black churches and throughout the state. The Jewish community had become a target first the bombing of the temple and later the bombing of Rabbi and Arene Nussbaum s home. Thankfully, no one was injured. Ten years ago, we commemorated the 40 th anniversary of the temple bombing and the Jackson Clergy Alliance s Walk of Penance. The Honorable Governor William Winter gave the keynote address at the program. I share his words. With that deadly blast on September 18, 1967, the demented and fiendish Klansmen may have wrecked Beth Israel synagogue, but they did something else that they did not expect. That act of terror was responded to three days later by the walk of penance as it was called by an interfaith and interracial group of ministers from Jackson in support of the Jewish community. That public demonstration of support served to accelerate a process of soul-searching by many people that was lacking before. As he went on in his speech, he asked each one of us to consider, What can I do to break down the remaining barriers that separate us from God and from one another? The Board of Beth Israel Congregation invites you to join them for a Special Oneg after Erev Rosh Hashanah Services September 20, 2017 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. This was a similar sentiment felt after the Charlottesville rally and what Rabbi Kurtz-Lendner addressed in his Friday night sermon following that event. We must get to know the others in our community - every race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. so that they are no longer others. We must come together as one people. As we take the lessons from that horrible night of September 18, 1967 and the more recent acts of terror, we all need to work towards creating a better future. Let us ask ourselves and commit to answering: What can I personally do to break down the remaining barriers that separate us from one another? As we enter 5778, may we continue to work towards a more just and peaceful world. L shana Tova THE BLAST is email-delivered on Wednesday of each week. If you would like to advertise anything Temple related in the Blast, please submit by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday. ARTICLE DEADLINE FOR THE FOLLOWING: CHAILIGHTS 1st Friday of every month FRIDAY NIGHT LEAFLET 1:30 p.m. Wednesday Page 2
HIGH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 2017 5778 Saturday September 16 Selichot Service 9:00 p.m. Wednesday September 20 Erev Rosh Hashanah I 8:00 p.m. Thursday September 21 Rosh Hashanah Children s Service Morning Service 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Friday September 22 Rosh Hashanah II 10:00 a.m. Friday September 22 Shabbat Shuvah Service 6:15 p.m. Saturday September 23 Shabbat Shuvah Service 9:00 a.m. Sunday September 24 Memorial Service at Cemetery 10:30 a.m. Sunday September 24 Tashlich & Picnic 5:00 p.m. Location: Reservoir Overlook Natchez Trace Pkwy Friday September 29 Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidre 8:00 p.m. Saturday September 30 Yom Kippur Children s Service Morning Service Text Study Afternoon Service Yizkor (Memorial Service) Neilah (Concluding Service) Break-the-Fast 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Wednesday October 4 Sukkot Picnic 5:30 p.m. Sukkot Service in Sukkah 6:15 p.m. Thursday October 5 Sukkot Service 10:00 a.m. Wednesday October 11 Erev Simchat Torah Dinner 5:30 p.m. Erev Simchat Torah Service 6:15 p.m. Thursday October 12 Simchat Torah & Yizkor Service 10:00 a.m. Page 3
Sisterhood Spotlight "Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we raise them. May we be them." ~anonymous involved, be engaged in the process, and provide feedback to our Board so that we can help make Sisterhood right for YOU! Shalom! It has been my pleasure to serve as BIC Sisterhood President this past year, a year highlighted with 50 th celebrations and well-received events. I am so looking forward to continuing in my duties this 2017-2018 year and hope you will join me in supporting our Sisterhood! We had a delightful time at our Annual Sisterhood Membership Tea on Sunday, August 13, 2017. We had a nice turnout, and it was a refreshing way to start our year with enthusiasm, friendship and community support. Thank you so much to Elizabeth and Trey McGregor for hosting this special event in their beautiful home. We appreciate their warm Southern hospitality. We have received many Sisterhood Membership Applications, both from returning members and new friends in our community! Thank you for your support. If you haven t done so yet and are interested in joining, please send in your membership form to the Temple. This is your Sisterhood, and we want to hear from you. We have adapted to change, are flexible and are a group of hard-working women!! Sisterhood has done many terrific things for our Temple and community over the years. However, we continue to be challenged with finding ways to increase our membership, support and participation. It truly takes ALL of the women in our congregation to help make this team work effectively, efficiently, successfully, easily and in a fun way in support of Beth Israel. We all benefit in one way or another from Sisterhood. Please contribute to our success by offering your suggestions and ideas to help make us better than we are today. I welcome hearing from you, What would you like to see in Sisterhood? What can we do to help make it more inviting to participate? I would love to have 100% of the women in our congregation join Sisterhood. So, what does my message mean to you? I want everyone to feel empowered. I invite you to get It is time for the High Holidays, and we look forward to gathering with our families and friends. If you are interested in signing kids up for the BIC Babysitting, please complete the form attached in this bulletin, and return it by September 12 th so we can finalize the arrangements. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sisterhood information will be shared via BIC Blasts, emails to our Sisterhood members, posts on the BIC Sisterhood Facebook page a closed group and phone calls on special instances. Thank you so much to the Sisterhood Board ~ you re amazing!! Esther Roberts, Susan Snyder, Raizy Grossman-Gould, Elizabeth McGregor, Jan Docter, Rebecca Laskin, Cheryl Katz, Mindy Humphrey and Tammy Rubinsky. And a special thank you to Rita for her continued assistance! On behalf of Beth Israel Sisterhood, here's wishing you and your family & friends a very Happy, Healthy & Sweet New Year! May you be written and inscribed in the Book of Life. Best regards, Suzanne Freedman, Sisterhood President Cell: 601-454-2148 Email: Suzfreedman@aol.com September 30, 2017 October 4, 2017 October 11, 2017 November 14, 2017 Calendar Events for 2017-2018 Please plan to join us! December 15, 2017 January 12, 2018 February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2018 March 21, 2018 March 31, 2018 April 22, 2018 May 4, 2018 Break the Fast Sukkot dinner Simchat Torah Event General Meetings ~ Manicures & Pizza Chanukah dinner Sisterhood Shabbat Bazaar Cooking Dates 51st Bazaar Passover 2nd Seder General Meeting, Slate of New Officers Sisterhood Installation Page 4
2017 New Year s Greetings Debra, Joel, Seth, Michael and Becci Jacobs Reva and Ellis Hart Danielle Wahba Lauren Rosenbaum Brown and Family Joyce and Art Salomon Angela and Gil Hoffberg Donna and Ted Orkin Rachelle Geiger Bea Gavant Mary Golde and Bill Howell Betsy and Joe Samuels Susan and Macy Hart and Family Janice and Buddy Blumenthal Emily Kamber Marcia and Robbie Barron The Kurtz-Lendner Family The Balfour Family The Guimbellot Family Phoebe Spencer Bette Shornick Justin and Raizy Grossman-Gould and Boys The Freedman Family Cheryl, Howard, Kovi and Lily Katz and Jennifer Cook Tammy, Bert, Jessica, Ashley and Tovah Rubinsky Honorine and Allen Weiss Jarmila and Peter Zapletal Dana and Jonathan Larkin Rebecca Laskin and Don Sawyer Kathryn Wiener Dinah Jeannette Briggs Donald Jacques Briggs Robert Elton Briggs Stephen Jacob Briggs Mindy, Clay, Sam, Hannah and Nina Humphrey Susan and Richard Snyder Judy and Richard Stamm Missy and Ralph Daniel Beth and Steve Orlansky Nafie and Gilbert Sollek Michele, Ken, Alana, Jacob and Eric Schipper Page 5
Sukkot Dinner Wednesday October 4, 2017 5:30 p.m. 6:15 Services Potatoes in the Hut with all the fixins Plus Chicken Tenders and Dessert Celebrate the Power of Music With Todd Herzog 8/25/2017 Cost for attendees: $10 for ages 11+ and $5 for ages 6-10 Cost for non-rsvp attendees: $12 ages 11+and $6 for ages 6-10 (based on availability) Please RSVP by September 27, 2017 to Erica Abeles at ericaabeles@gmail.com or 601-657-3671 Beth Israel Sisterhood invites you to a Break-the-Fast following the conclusion of Yom Kippur Day Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Simchat Torah Potluck Dinner Wednesday, October 11, 2017 Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Services at 6:15 p.m. Please join us to dine and then dance with the Torah. $7.00 per person Children 5 and under free Chicken, dessert and drinks are provided. We ask that each family bring a salad or side dish. Please let us know if you will attend and what you would like to bring. Please RSVP to Jan Docter at: jan_4200@aol.com or 601-497-0770 Page 6 The Music Continues...8/26/2017 The Music Department at BIC will be planning some Friday Night Rock Shabbats similar to the service we experienced with our guest, Todd Herzog. If you are a drummer, guitarist, or can shake a tambourine with the best of them, there is a place for you. Let Carol Joy Sparkman, Music Director, know if you are interested in participating in this new and exciting service opportunity. You can contact Carol Joy at caroljoysparkman@gmail.com.
There's an exciting opportunity to support Beth Israel during the High Holiday season. The concept is simple. We've numbered 144 envelopes from 1-144. We ask that you: Take an envelope and donate that amount (or more) Mail or deliver your check in the envelope to the BIC office as soon as possible. If donations are received for all 144 numbers, the fundraiser will bring in over $10,000.00 for the Beth Israel General Fund. High Holidays Flowers Each year members of the congregation may contribute to the beautiful flowers that are used during the High Holiday services. These flowers are in memory of loved ones. Donna Orkin will handle all of the arrangements for the High Holidays Flowers. The charge for these flowers will be a flat rate of $50 per family. If you would like to contribute, please email the Temple Office at office@bethisraelms.org on or before Friday, September 8, 2017. You may also donate on the Temple website by visiting:http://bethisraelms.org/donate. Please indicate in the notes that the donation is for High Holiday Flowers and memorial name. Page 7
Broad Street will be offering TURBAN CHALLAH for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur This year we are baking JUST our round Turban Challah: Plain- $10 With Golden Raisins $14 We will have very limited amounts of challah for regular pickup. To guarantee that you can get the challah you need, CALL & RESERVE your loaves at least 48 HRS IN ADVANCE!!!! Orders must be placed by the following dates: Sunday, September 17th for Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 26th for Yom Kippur NAME: PHONE#: PICK UP DATE (circle one): Wednesday 9/20/17 Friday 9/29/17 (7AM-3PM) (7AM-8PM) TURBAN CHALLAH PLAIN... $10 TURBAN CHALLAH WITH GOLDEN RAISINS... $14 Please call 601.362.2900 to place your order OR e-mail this form to KatieL@broadstbakery.com! If you email, we must ask that you call to confirm receipt of your order. NO ORDER IS CONFIRMED UNLESS YOU TALK TO ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS Page 8
Religious School part of the Jewish experience Religious School: A New Beginning The Beth Israel Religious School session for 2017-2018 gets underway Sunday, September 10, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. Every year gives us an opportunity for a new beginning, a fresh start, and this year is no exception. Students will begin their day with a service in the sanctuary, followed by a morning of learning, recreation, and more. New this year is the addition of a Theatre class, beginning with the 2nd grade students "Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand," to paraphrase a Chinese philosopher's wise words. Placing Torah teaching on stage, literally, with our students as the actors, will help them understand the lessons while experiencing a transformative activity. Drama involves learning to communicate clearly, speaking before a group, learning to be persuasive, developing a positive and confident self-image. It is a collaborative activity, demanding that students work together. And it's fun! Our wonderful teachers will help our students know and understand their Jewish heritage and traditions. Ultimately it is hoped our students will be empowered to participate fully in worship services with understanding and self-assurance. Please watch your email for Religious School Registration information and reply without delay. We are excited about our innovative new year and hope you will be, too! Bill Morris You teach best what you most need to learn. ~Richard Bach Amazing Opportunity An opening exists for a volunteer teacher in the Beth Israel Religious School. This person would share their knowledge and love of the Jewish people, along with text and traditions of our Jewish heritage, with some of the most brilliant kids ever gathered in one classroom. And it s fun! Don t think you know enough to teach? Think again. The ISJL Curriculum, together with abundant resources, makes it easy to have lots to share on a Sunday morning with your students. It isn t every day you can help shape the Jewish future. Plus, you will deepen your own understanding of Judaism. This amazing opportunity comes along maybe once a year, and this is your time. Remember, A pupil receives but a fifth of the reward that accrues to the teacher (Midrash). Join the BIC Religious School faculty. Your time and talents are needed. Please speak to Bill Morris or email wdmorris@bethisraelms.org for more information. Page 9
Please join us as my beloved daughter Talia Rose Buxbaum is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on September 2, 2017 at 10:15 a.m. RSVP sarah.g.buxbaum@gmail.com for the luncheon. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Shirley Orlansky 19 Tabor Abeles 2 Craig Tucker 20 Anna Lerant 3 Benjamin Johnson 20 Alana Schipper 4 Hannah Schwartz 20 Clay Crystal 4 Bruce L. Hirshman 22 Mark Fijman 7 Gilbert Sollek 23 Dana Dobel 7 Ella Rockoff 23 Rachel Myers 7 Miriam Smith 23 Sadie Klein 8 Sara Hirshman 24 Alexander Kassoff 9 Dani Turk 25 Paula Erlich 10 Sam Humphrey 27 Andrea Hughes 10 Hannah Humphrey 27 Jonathan Orlansky 10 Maryann Jacobson 27 Syril Portnoy 10 Janice Blumenthal 27 Tori Giammarco 11 Robert Emmich 27 Steve Goodman 11 Jennifer Tucker 28 Irv Feldman 11 Donald Sawyer 28 Rachel Brannan 11 Reva Hart 29 Joan Daniel 13 Jonathan Larkin 29 Angela Hoffberg 15 Alexander Nessell 30 Lique Coolen 16 Rachelle Geiger 30 Michelle Mack 16 William Albright 16 Sally Leibowitz 16 Joyce Salomon 19 Melanie Dobel SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 2 Joy and Howard Roffwarg 4 Maryann and Steve Jacobson 5 Peggy and Larry Goldstein 10 Wendy and Gino Giammarco 24 Christine and Jerry Branson 25 Frankie and Frankie Springer 28 Angela and Gil Hoffberg Please bring your empty/used ink cartridges to the Temple! We are able to help the planet by recycling and help our religious school discounts on supplies. Page 10
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 MISSISSIPPI BITY MITZVAH FUND (SISTERHOOD) RELIGIOUS SCHOOL HOLOCAUST FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND In Memory of T. Stanley Orkin Donna & Ted Orkin Donation Morgan & Aaron Samuels GENERAL FUND Donation Beth Russo RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Tinky R. Lendner Anonymous Peyton McElroy St. Dominic Community Health Services CEMETERY FUND Donation Morgan & Aaron Samuels In Memory of A. J. Orkin, Sr. Donna & Ted Orkin In Memory of Lucile Reisman Rosenbaum Lauren R. Brown In Memory of Myron Gavant Richard Gavant In Memory of Harriet Trubman, Lena Kahn, Morris Silverman Aaron Trubman In Memory of Lona Freedman Cohen Sandy & Mickey Fisher In Memory of Loved Ones Janice and Buddy Blumenthal In Memory of Jonathon Sonkin Judy & Josh Wiener In Memory of Maxine Millstein Harris Joe Harris CHOIR FUND Donation Erik Hearon Donation Howard Katz TIKKUN OLAM FUND In Memory of Bennett Freedman Dana & Jonathan Larkin RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND In Honor of Bill Morris Amy & Arty Finkelberg Adult Education: The Chevra Kadisha David Zinner, founder and chief executive officer of Kavod v'nichum (Honor and Comfort), will lead a weekend of learning about the Chevra Kadisha, the traditional Jewish "burial society." Mr. Zinner's organization works nationwide to educate and train in the history and practice of the Chevra Kadisha. He will speak during the Friday night service on September 8, 2017, then lead Torah study and a "Lunch and Learn" session on Saturday, beginning at 10:30. A training session on Sunday for volunteers follows at 1 p.m. Lunch for participants will be available both days. This is an opportunity to learn about and benefit from this most important facet of Jewish life. Please RSVP to office@bethisraelms.org or to Mindy Humphrey or Bill Morris. Page 11
Non-Profit Org U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #123 JACKSON, MS P.O. Box 13249 Jackson, MS 39236 Phone: (601) 956-6215 Fax: (601) 952-0895 bethisraelms.org We Remember Yahrzeits for SEPTEMBER 2017 9/3/2017-9/9/2017 *Morris Rosenzweig Sam G. Loeb *Abe A. Rotwein Max M. Lawfer Aaron Kay Susan Kweller Fanny Ruvinsky *Louis Muskin Arthur Weiss A.D. McWilliams Helen Pollack Irene Giannesini Adolph Orkin, Jr. Albert Wahba Rob Roy Bruce McIntosh Lil Burnstein Aaron Harbor Ruth Lamensdorf Agnes Boyd 9/10/2017-9/16/2017 Elaine Mack Virginia Williams Jack Cherkasky *Michael Carson Abner Fedida Edith Rosenthal Levine Jeanette P. Lind Gary Orkin Ann Alpern Joseph Blacher Al Sherman Bernard Shapero *Max Plotkin Fanny Smith Jennie Korelitz Lee Korelitz Eleanor Miller Sarah Golod *Ralph Salomon 9/17/2017-9/23/2017 Amelia Hatry David Friedlander James Hearon Angel Abeles Gerald DuBois Frank Barron *Marie Ascher Sternberg Celia Greenfield David Simon Helen Weiss Robert Kuttnauer Frank Jolley Doris Schneider Samuel Mandel *David H. Rice Jack Spiegel Harry C. Carson Max Mushlin Seyman Goldstein *Solomon Schwartz *Harry Singer Harold Kolodney Phillip Kaufman Sander Margolis *Sam Cohen *Bernard Klateman Herman Loeb Leona Korelitz Ellis Saik Sydney Jacobs *Beatrice J. Fischer *Nell Cohen 9/24/2017-9/30/2017 Margie Rinehart Morton Adler *Beth Sollek Maurice Emmich *Sheila Thrower Jack Bennett Jesse Harvey *Dudley Burwell *Meyer Crystal Rose K. Mitchell Sadye Hart *Steve Laskin *Martha R. Joseph Esther Elfassy Pearl Tannenbaum *Robert Greenberg Joan Orkin *Linda Shornick Dorothy D. Carson Edith Nerad Tania Stotland Rose Dorothy Levy Alan Libglid Israel Rivlin Buxton Williams *Memorial Alcove