Eternal Volume 75, Issue 8 JUNE / JULY 2017 What s your Glory? Summer Reflection In his book, Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom reflects on the time he spent with the rabbi from his childhood, Rabbi Albert Lewis, who had requested that the author deliver the eulogy at his funeral when the time comes. Rabbi Lewis, the rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in New Jersey from 1948-1992, was known as a master preacher. In one of his sermons, he tells the story of a vacation he took on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. He was just about the only white man on this little sliver of land in the middle of the Gulf Stream. Because his skin color made him an oddity, the friendly natives engaged him in constant conversation. One day, a young man said to him, Mon, tel me what s your glory? He didn t quite understand him, so he asked him to repeat it. There was a rather impatient motion of the hands, and the man said, Mon, what is your glory; you know, Glory? The rabbi still didn t understand the question. Then in frustration, the young native explained, Bimini Jack (who was a well-known fighter at the time) works in the fish-house, but he s a fighter. That s his glory. Me! I fish. That s my glory. Mon, what s your glory? The rabbi now understood. He was asking, What is it that you really do? What s your thing? What s your specialty - your uniqueness - your talent for which you are known? Eventually the explanation was offered, but the question was a good one, a haunting one; one which we might want to take some time over the summer to ponder. The question also applies to a community. So what would you say on behalf of your people? I might respond that Jews were given their glory at Sinai to become a people with a mission. Jews are to be specialists in justice and holiness, bringing God into the world. That s our glory which we can accomplish only if we have a people. Thus, it s our glory to live today. (continued on page 2)
Page 2 Iyar-Av What s your Glory? A Summer Reflection (continued from page 1) Jews find God by sharing in the experience of a people. When we have moments of triumph or joy, or even sadness and difficulty, and we feel God s sustaining presence we do not save that moment for ourselves or seek some kind of impossible salvation outside the historic covenant we share it with our people. If you have a joyous event like a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a wedding, have a Kiddush/Oneg for us, and share it with us; we are your people, your glory! And if a person is sick, share your prayer with your congregation on behalf of all those who are ill. And if, God forbid, you lose someone, you express that loss within the heart of a congregation at prayer, saying: Even in the wake of this sadness, I am part of your community, O God, and that is the meaning of Kaddish. Why do we get the words Kiddush and Kaddish mixed up all the time when we say them? Because they share the same root in Hebrew; sad or glad, they mean the same thing: the holiness of the Jewish people and the togetherness of the Jewish world. That s our glory! As we enjoy our vacations to places near and far this summer, let s reflect on this question: What s my glory? My blessing for you is that you will discover and live your glory. And then that you will pursue your mission with every ounce of energy you have. May God grant you the strength and the time to fulfill it. Have a wonderful summer. Rabbi Jordan Goldson Join us at Shabbat Morning Minyan Saturdays 10 am Gary J. Weill Youth Room
Iyar-Av Page 3 President s Message by Jay Jalenak This summer, explore your Judaism. Somehow I achieved the office of Congregation President without ever knowing that May was Jewish American Heritage Month. While May is behind us, summer is a fantastic time to explore our Jewish heritage. An article from the URJ recommends you visit a Jewish Museum, eat some Jewish food, read a Jewish Book, or watch a film exploring the Jewish- American experience. Certainly our children know where to dive into Judaism in the summer. We are so fortunate to have Henry S. Jacobs Camp just hours away. My children have long considered camp their summer home. They have been enriched through the programming at Jacobs Camp, and they developed lifelong friendships. Now that Nina is a counselor and drives to camp, I miss the annual gathering with old friends waiting for the camp gates to open. Moreover, I remain in awe of the dedication and commitment our Jewish teens display each summer though Dream Street. I know that our children love their camp, but sharing that camp experience with children with physical disabilities is life-changing for both the campers and our teens. There is no better way for our children to honor our Jewish heritage and the ideal of tikkun olam. If you are looking for your own local Jewish heritage summer fun, give Mah-Jongg a try. WCBI is hosting Mah-Jongg on Thursday nights in the Gary J. Weill Youth Room. Beginners will be taught how to play. This is a fun, energetic group. Everyone brings a snack to share, and this a wonderful way to meet new Congregational friends. Of course, you can always join us for a casual and cool summer Shabbat service. No jacket is required and thank g-d the air conditioning is working. Finally, I am pleased to announce that Julie Tepper is now Co-Director of Religious School. When the Yellen family moved to Texas, we were fortunate that Jessica agreed to continue as Religious School Director, even though remotely. We were even more fortunate to have Julie step in as Assistant Director. They continue to be an ideal team. Now, as Julie s experience has grown, having co-directors was the next logical phase. Thank you to Jessica, Julie and our teachers for keeping our Religious School unparalleled. Enjoy your summer.
Page 4 June Iyar-Av June 2 Shabbat Service, 6pm Gates of Prayer June 3 Shabbat Minyan, 10am June 9 Shabbat Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book June 10 Shabbat Minyan, 10am July July 1 Shabbat Minyan, 10am July 4 OFFICE CLOSED July 7 Shabbat Service, 6pm Gates of Prayer July 8 Shabbat Minyan, 10am June 13 Board Meeting 6pm June 16 Shabbat Service, 6pm Gates of Prayer June 17 Shabbat Minyan, 10am July 14 Shabbat Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book July15 Shabbat Minyan, 10am July 21 Shabbat Service, 6pm Gates of Prayer 2017-2018 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REGISTRATION June 23 Shabbat Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book June 24 Shabbat Minyan, 10am June 30 Shabbat Service, 6pm Gates of Prayer July 22 Shabbat Minyan, 10am July 28 Shabbat Service, 6pm Union Prayer Book July29 Shabbat Minyan, 10am Calendar REGISTER NOW! (member must be in good standing) http://bnaibr.org/forms/forms.asp?p1=125
Iyar-Av Page 5 Confirmation Class of 2017 / 5777
Page 6 Iyar-Av CONFIRMATION STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Iyar-Av Page 7 Contributions General Fund Rose Anne Suffrin: in memory of Nathan Kern Sylvia Steiner Religious School Scholarship Fund Pam Roby: in memory of Louise Gartner Chunky & Ellen Folks Building Fund Robbie & David Rubin: in memory of Doris Kanter Pam Roby: in memory of Doris Kanter Linda & Bill Dubois: in memory of Doris Michalove Kanter Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Elise & Charles Kaufman: in honor of Lisa & Dore Binder s grandson, Elise & Charles Kaufman: in honor of Edie & Ralph Bender s grandsons Elise & Charles Kaufman: in honor of the high school graduates Elise & Charles Kaufman: in honor of the Confirmation Class of 2017 Elise & Charles Kaufman: in honor of Laurie Aaronson s 50th birthday. Camp Scholarship Fund Pam Roby: in memory of Phillip Fishbein Cemetery Fund Pam Roby: in memory of Phyliss and Joe Kessler DONATE ONLINE at www.bnaibr.org/donate Pay by credit card online with an easy form that allows you to choose a designated fund or the general donation fund and the purpose of your gift. Donations may also be mailed to 3354 Kleinert Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Cemetery Security at The Jewish Cemetery A Police Officer is on site at the cemetery every 2nd Sunday of the month: 10:00am - 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. Chunky & Ellen Folks Building Fund: for maintenance, repairs & improvements to the building Camp Scholarship Fund: for needbased scholarships to a Jewish camp. Carolyn & Bernard Schmulen Cemetery Beautification Fund: To plant appropriate shrubbery and trees, particularly in the new part of the cemetery, to create a more beautiful and peaceful setting. Cemetery Maintenance Fund: 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. Alvin & Janice Rubin Ner Tamid Break Fast Fund: to provide continued support for the Annual Yom Kippur Break Fast. 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. 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
Yarzheits Page 8 Iyar-Av JUNE 2 Rae Elster Abramson Ethel Alcus Antwand Covington, Jr Leo R. Doise Jack W. Dupaquier Rose Millstein Lopoo Charles Norman Rubin Rose Siegel Mother of Steven Abramson Grandmother of Chip Mann Grandson of Sheryl Brown Father of Janet Moyse Son of John Dupaquier Grandmother of Sid Blitzer Brother of David and Mike Rubin Grandmother of Maureen Corcoran JUNE 9 Joseph M. Bergeron Brother of Elaine Simon Lester Bloomensteil, Sr. Husband of Lillian Bloomensteil, Fred Jellin Step-father of Jak Kunstler Charles Alfred Miller Father of Danny Miller Alvin B. Rubin Father of David and Mike Rubin Gus G.J. Weill Father of Laurie Brandt and Felix Weill Grandfather of David Weill Eliyahu Weinstein Brother of Rabbi Barry Weinstein JUNE 16 Betty Berg Charles Bombet Augusta Durning Max Herzog Annalee Jaffee Amalie Metz Kahn Anna Lipsey Mary Anna Nachman Ruth Roth Grandmother of Seth Kaplan Father of Julius and Ronald Bombet Father of Ann Dreyfus Grandfather of Mike Herschman Grandmother of Rebecca Svensson Mother of Metz Kahn Mother of Richard Lipsey Grandmother of Laurie Aronson & Wendy Lipsey Mother of Leonard Nachman Mother of Gary Roth JUNE 23 Gus Brandt Joseph Goldberg Gloria Goldson Betty Kaufmann Michael Pitlor Gerald Posner Ryan William Smith Emanuel Teller Father of Harold Brandt Grandfather of Harvey Schwartzberg Mother of Rabbi Jordan Goldson Mother of Janet Black Uncle of Doris Chesler Husband of Isabel Posner Father of Lisa Binder Son-in-law of Randy and Debbie Brown Father of Rose Anne Suffrin
Yarzheits Iyar-Av JUNE 30 Dr. Leo Abraham Joe Berg Charles M. Brenner Alice Hicks Augustus Hirsch Charles Kantrow Louis Kaufman Clara Goldfarb Levine William Levine Carol Ann Hausmann Marks Max Ross Leo Roth Felix Schmulen Ida Schwartzberg Meyer Schwartzberg Jacob Siegel Erich Sternberg David Lee Suffrin Ceceil Sussman Page 9 Husband of Insa Abraham Brother-in-law of Hans Sternberg Father of Eric Abraham Uncle of Erich Sternberg & Deborah Sternberg Roth Uncle of Seth Kaplan Grandfather of Edie Bender Sister of John Dupaquier Brother-in-law of Rachelle Hirsch Grandfather of Stacy Sommer Grandfather of Carol Newman Grandmother of Bette Levine Grandfather of Lee Berg Mother of Pam Roby Father of Paula Hoffman Father of Gary Roth Grandfather of Lynn Weill Great-grandfather of David Weill Mother of Harvey Schwartzberg Father of Harvey Schwartzberg Grandfather of Maureen Corcoran Father of Insa Abraham and Hans Sternberg Grandfather of Eric Abraham, Erich Sternberg & Deborah Sternberg Roth Father-in-law of Mary Ann Sternberg Nephew of RoseAnne Suffrin Aunt of Marc and Warren Sager JULY 7 Alexander Caplan Cathryn Craig Bernard Hirsch Leo A. Nijoka Janice R. Sachse Joseph S. Simmons Alex L. Suffrin Father of Ralph Caplan Mother of Cathy Labens Brother-in-law of Rachelle Hirsch Father of Monica Winkler Grandmother of Victor E. Sachse Husband of Betty Simmons Father of Joseph G. Simmons, Jean Wilcox and Becky Simmons Father-in-law of Rose Anne Suffrin
Page 10 Iyar-Av JULY 14 Charles M. Bender Louis Bertman Janet Dreyfus Jean Fischer Loretta Bogoff Friedman Adler Hirsch Dorothy Kaplan Lee Hillard Meltzer Flossie Strauss Michaelson Jeanette C. Rosen JULY 21 Raoul A. Levy Raoul L. Levy Leonard Lichter Joe Amos Marks Sallie C. McGuire Rosalie Moyse Lea K. Sternberg JULY 28 Marc Becker Edah Schwartz Kessler Donnie F. Mabry Seymour Pizer Leonard H. Rosenson Jules Rosenthal Father of Marvin H. Bender Grandfather of Ralph Bender Father of Skip Bertman Mother of Rachelle Hirsch Aunt of Sandy Bertman Aunt of Alan Fishbein Father-in-law of Rachelle Hirsch Grandmother of Jeffrey Bender Father of Don Meltzer Great aunt of Carol Newman Grandmother of Edie Bender Father of Charlotte and Helen Levy Brother of Charlotte and Helen Levy Father of Shelly Mullenix Father of Pam Roby Grandmother of Esther Sachse Mother of Betty Moyse Simmons Grandmother of Joe Simmons, Jean Wilcox and Becky Simmons Mother of Insa Abraham and Hans Sternberg Grandmother of Eric Abraham, Erich Sternberg & Deborah Sternberg Roth Husband of Ellen Becker Grandmother of Ann Keogh Grandmother of Esther Sachse Uncle of Steve Beck Husband of Marilyn Rosenson Father of Celia Strickler Uncle of Lynn Weill Yarzheits
Iyar-Av Page 11 Yarzheits Yarzheits are traditionally read during the Friday night service prior to the anniversary of a loved ones death unless other arrangements are made through the temple office. 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 office 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 office. 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 office at 343-0111 so Rabbi Jordan can contact them and arrange for a visit. REMINDERS: We will now send out reminders by email unless requested mailed. By email, you will receive a reminder 30 days, 15 days & Monday prior to the Friday before the Yahrzeit. If you do not receive a reminder, please contact the office by email (office@bnaibr.org) or call 225-343-0111. Yarzheits You may add your yahrzeit dates online at www.bnaibr.org. Click on contact us then Yahrzeit Reminder Form or call the office at 225-343-0111.
Community Page 12 BaRFTY Hi everyone. My name is Hannah Kaplan and I am the communication vp for the 2017-2018 school year This past weekend we had our end of the year ice cream social and said goodbye to the seniors and welcomed the incoming freshman. We also held elections for the new board and here they are: Max Sager & Eliana Levy - Co-Presidents Julia Sager - Programming VP Abbe Kantrow - Social Action VP Briana Mullenix - Religious & Cultural VP Maggie Mullenix - Membership VP Hannah Kaplan- Communication VP We are excited to beginning planning this summer and look forward to seeing all of our teens at our first event. STAY TUNED Have a great summer Hannah MAH JONGG MONDAY MORNING OR THURSDAY NIGHT! Do you want to learn how to play Mah Jongg? Lessons are now being taught in the Gary Weill Youth Room Thursday nights beginning at 6pm (play is until) Bring snacks to share (temple food restrictions apply). If you are interested, please call: Jill Roby (225-921-9529) NOTE: Please contact Jill Roby to check Thursday Schedule LOOKING FOR A VENUE FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT? The newly renovated Social Hall and the Gary J. Weill Youth Room are available for your next event at a reasonable cost. For information, contact the office at 225-343-0111.
THANK YOU to the Sponsors of the 2017 B nai Israel Golf Classic Page 13
Page 14 Iyar-Av 2017 B nai Israel Golf LONGEST SHOT CLOSEST TO THE HOLE 2017 WINNERS BEST SHOT
ART & SOUL 2017 Page 15
Page 16 ART & SOUL 2017
Iyar-Av Page 17 View photos of our kids at www.jacobscamp.org
Page 18 Iyar-Av Mazel Tov to everyone who celebrates birthdays and anniversaries this month! Mazel Tov to the Confirmation Class of 2017 / 5777 Hannah Bienvenu Briana Mullenix Sierra Sager Steven Spivak Mazel Tov to The daughter of Steven & Monica Winkler Aylsa Winkler on her graduation from Episcopal High School of Baton Rouge. Roby Judge Maggie Mullenix Spencer Spivak Mazel Tov to Son of Wendy Lipsey Luke Shiroda on his graduation from University High Lab School LSU. He will attend the College of Charleston in the fall. Mazel Tov to The granddaughter of Lee & Ralph Caplan Amanda Bingham on her graduation from Ole Miss with a Marketing Degree Mazel Tov to the winner of the Art & Soul Raffle from Lee Michaels Rabbi Barry Weinstein
Iyar-Av Page 19 Mazel Tov to the winners of the 2017 B nai Israel Golf Classic! Andy Blumberg & Ned Pearson Mazel Tov to Robert and Nicole Hazey Buggs On the birth of their son, Avery Daniel Hazey To send a Mazel Tov, email office@bnaibr.org. If you have a picture, attach it to the email and we ll include it if space allows. All entries will be reviewed by Rabbi Jordan and must be received by the 20th of the month. To the Religious School Teachers for another successful year! To Nathan Levy for providing the ditty bags for the B nai Classic Golf Tournament! To the Temple Office Volunteers for their commitment to the temple every week! Thank you Edie Bernard, Robbie Rubin, Edie Bender and Laurie Brandt! To the Art & Soul Volunteers for making the event such a success!
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ADVERTISE HERE Now accepting advertisers for 2017 for the Eternal Light Newsletter Call Cathy at the Temple office at 225-343-0111.
Congregation B nai Israel 3354 Kleinert Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70806 www.bnaibr.org Address Service Requested BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jay Jalenak, President Deborah Sternberg, Past President Seth Kaplan, Vice President Warren Sager, Treasurer Andy Blumberg, Secretary Ronnie Bombet Shawn Folks Mike Kantrow Robbie Rubin Lynn Weill Linda Dubois Adrian Hirsch Donna Kunstler Norman Schwamberg Nathan Levy, Men s Club President Paige Wormser, Women of CBI President Max Sager, BaRFTY Co-President Eliana Levy, BaRFTY Co-President STAFF Jordan E. Goldson Rabbi rabbijg@bnaibr.org Barry Weinstein Rabbi Emeritus Cathy Duplechin Office Administrator office@bnaibr.org Jessica Yellen Religious School Co-Director relschool@bnaibr.org Julie Tepper Religious School Co-Director asst.relschool@bnaibr.org James Hickman Custodian