PUBLISHED MONTHLY NO. 12 DECEMBER 2012 DIVREI HARAV: WORDS FROM RABBI COHEN At Beth Israel this year, we're trying to be more mindful and intentional in everything we do. Our Campaign for Kindness helps us focus our words and actions for good. Our Jewish yoga class helps us strengthen our bodies and fi nd our balance - physically and spiritually. Our Jewish meditation class helps us become more centered and clear-minded. Torah study and prayer opens our hearts and minds to conversations with God and each other. All these different acts of faith are pathways to God and a more meaningful life. Chanukah Dinner sponsored by Sisterhood Sunday, December 9th 5:30pm in the Social Hall Continuing in that framework, we can approach Chanukah also in a very mindful way. Here are fi ve thoughtful suggestions made by life coach Jason Mannino from an article in the Huffi ngton Post: 1. Before saying your prayers and lighting your fi rst Chanukah candle this evening, take some time to circle with your loved ones holding hands. In this circle guide the people you are with to gently place their attention on their breath and to acknowledge the miracle of the life force that dwells within you. The life force that is always present whether you are thinking about it or not. In this space guide your group to see inwardly the bright light that shines in every one of our hearts. From this place say your prayers and light your candles. 2. As you light your Chanukah candles bring into your awareness how the light of the candle is a refl ection of the love and light that dwells within you and that connects you to a greater life force and divine intelligence. $15 adults, $8 children under 10, 3 and under are free RSVP to Jan Docter by Dec. 3rd 601-842-1550 or jan_4200@yahoo.com Veggie option upon request (Fresh Baked Salmon) 3. After lighting your candles and before exchanging your gifts circle up again and go through the ritual: "The gift I see in you." One at a time each person turns to the person to their right in the circle and says, for example, "The gift I see in you is joy and laughter," until you have gone through the whole circle. 4. During any gift exchanging this Chanukah be conscious of how the gifts and abundance you experience are simply refl ection of the vast blessings, light, and abundance that dwell within you. 5. Take time this Chanukah and through the remainder of the holiday season to release any judgments you may have placed against yourself or others in the past year. Remind yourself that the lives of those with whom you have differences are just as important to them as yours is to you. As you release your judgments notice how you return to the light, love and compassion that dwell within you. Have a bright and spiritually fulfi lling Chanukah. 5315 OLD CANTON ROAD JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39211 PHONE 601-956-6215 FAX 601-952-0895 WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG Founded 1860 A member of the Union for Reform Judaism, Serving Reform Congregations in North America
Jewish Books Cooking Is com ing to Jackson! Wednesday, December 12 th, 2012 Pizza Dinner at 5:00 PM* Performance at 5:30 PM Beth Israel Congrega on, Jackson, MS This Chanukah, get ready to laugh, cheer, and clap for Jewish Books Cooking! Originally created and directed by Liz Swados, through the generous support of The Covenant Founda on, Jewish Books Cooking brings eight popular, contemporary children s books to life with bright characters and catchy songs. This special Southern touring produc on is produced by The Covenant Founda on in partnership with the Goldring/ Woldenberg Ins tute of Southern Jewish Life. The show is free, and will be followed by a family program focused on exploring Jewish stories and sharing family bed me rituals. * No cost - dona ons accepted for dinner For more informa on, contact Ann Zivitz Kimball at akimball@isjl.org RSVP for dinner, contact Meg at meg@bethisraelms.org or 601-956-6215 Campaign for Kindness: Congregant Spotlight Our Kindest Congregant of the month is Gino Giammarco, partnered in Kindness by his wife Wendy. Some of you may not know Gino; the Giammarco's just recently joined the congregation and Gino is one of our Saturday morning "regulars". But even if you don't know Gino personally, you know of Gino. For many months, Gino has been baking six loaves of Challah for Shabbat services. From rosemary to chocolate chip to herbed sea salt to garlic to wheat and just plain regular Challah for those with a more sensitive palate (i.e. children). Gino's Challah is delicious, and he's often up till midnight on Thursday baking for BIC - which brings him such joy. You also know Gino because he is the one, often on Sunday morning, working on our landscaping: weeding, planting, checking our irrigation, just keeping things in order. Wendy gets a shout-out too because she allows him to do all this. But most of all, what makes Gino and Wendy Giammarco our Kindest Congregants of the month... They only have nice words to say about everyone - role models for us all. 2 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Reverend Amy Finkelberg Associate Pastor for Adults at Northminster Baptist Church December 7th Shabbat Services 6:15pm...we don't have to be last of the best or first of the worst... Let's Raise our Voices for a Better Mississippi Sunday, December 2 10:00am BIC Library Workshop teaching advocacy skills and strategies Led by Paheadra Robinson, MS Center for Justice Sponsored by Tikkun Olam Committee Adult Education: Jewish Music Jewish Yoga: Balancing Mind, Body and Spirit Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm December 4th: From Psalms to Jewish Rock December 11th: Does the Melody Match the Meaning? December 18th: The Role of Music in our Worship Service Wednesdays @ 7:30-8:30pm (come early to fi nd your place) $5 per session December 5, 12, 19 *Bring your own yoga mat & props if you have them. We will provide them if you don't. WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 3
JewishCinemaMississippi Returns for Its 11 th Straight Year Appeal for Sponsorship Contributions Beth Israel Congregation (Jackson, MS) and the Jewish Culture Organization at Millsaps College welcome you to our 11 th annual film festival. We selected 4 films out of more than 60 entrants. This year s films come from the United States, France, Argentina and Germany and have earned major awards at Jewish and independent film festivals around the world. We wanted to share with you the exciting news about the films that will air this January and to ask that you make a tax deductible sponsorship contribution. Sponsorships account for the most important source of revenue for the festival. Every sponsorship dollar that you give helps to support the film festival, other visual arts programs at Beth Israel and the Jewish Culture Organization at Millsaps. This year we have over 20 Beth Israel and Millsaps volunteers that are working tirelessly to make the festival a success. Your contribution signifies that you support the arts at Beth Israel. Each sponsorship level comes with festival passes and other benefits, including admission to the sponsor s reception. Producer, $5,000 Director, $2,500 Movie Star, $1,000 Actor, $500 Film Critic, $200 The Festival Planning Committee thanks you in advance for considering a donation for JCM2013. A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA a gripping, unsentimental drama with a lot of action and a pacifist message of hope and reconciliation. A Bottle in the Gaza Sea is mustviewing." HAVA NAGILA MY FIRST WEDDING REMEMBRANCE Follow the infectious party song on its fascinating journey a hilarious and surprisingly deep film. January 23 and 24 January 25 and 26 Malco Grandview Theater Madison, MS An action-packed 90-minutes unveils religious and personality tensions between families, theological musings of a wandering priest and rabbi, a sex/drugs/rock-n-roll senile grandparent, and the hidden motives of ex-lovers. To those who swore they d seen enough Holocaust-themed films to last a lifetime: Rescind your vow, just this once. Remembrance is that good. It s better than good. It s unforgettable. For all things JCM2013 visit our web site www.jewishcinemams.com. 4 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Beth Israel Congregation is truly blessed to have so many congregants that generously give their time and talents to better our congregation and the community at large. These congregants are truly B'nai Tzedek, individuals doing righteous acts. Some congregants have given years to a single project and others have been involved in multiple projects, while there are those of us just beginning to get our feet wet as volunteers at BIC. I recently realized that many of us are unaware of just how involved our peers are and more importantly that we have been doing an inadequate job of thanking our volunteers. As a result, Rabbi and I have discussed having a series of B nai Tzedek Shabbats throughout the year. On these Shabbats, the plan is to honor and thank those who perform the Mitzvah of Tzedakah and then celebrate those individuals with a dinner following services. Rabbi and I have a list started of who need to be recognized, but if you want to be sure we re including someone you think should be recognized please contact me or Rabbi Cohen. Join us as we pay tribute to our B'nai Tzedeks at our fi rst B'nai Tzedek Shabbat on Friday, January 4, 2013. Rebecca Laskin, BIC Board President Barnes & Noble Bookfairs THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 1000 HIGHLAND COLONY PKWY. RIDGELAND, MS 39157 Can't attend our bookfair at Barnes & Noble? VISIT BN.COM/BOOKFAIRS TO SUPPORT US ONLINE FROM 12/6/12-12/8/12 BY ENTERING BOOKFAIR ID 10940443 AT CHECKOUT. A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR BARNES & NOBLE PURCHASES WILL BENEFIT OUR SCHOOL. & Chanukah Service December 14th 6:15pm Latke "pre-neg" Enjoy Chanukah foods before services 5:30-6:00pm WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 5
THE SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT It s not too late. Sisterhood needs your support. To every woman who is a member of Beth Israel and who has not yet become a member of Sisterhood: Now would be a great time to join. Sisterhood is vital to our Beth Israel Congregation in so many ways. We give to the community through Meals on Wheels and Stewpot. We provide meaningful ways to celebrate the Jewish holidays with programs such as Break the Fast, Pizza in the Hut and our Potluck Succot Dinner. We help our youth with Jacobs Camp scholarships, providing food for BITY Conclave, and sending packages out to our college students. Perhaps one or more of these great programs have impacted your family. But the best reason to join Sisterhood is that you will enjoy the comraderie and the overall enjoyment of participating in a meaningful activity. I have truly enjoyed getting to know so many at the temple by simply attending our meetings and volunteering at different events. What a great opportunity to do something enjoyable that also leaves you with a warm feeling! December is a special time of the year and we will once again be having a delicious Chanukah dinner prepared by our members. Please join us on Sunday evening, December 9 th for this special holiday meal. This event is open to the community so we encourage you to bring guests along. I also extend my invitation to the Sisterhood Chanukah lunch and meeting on December 12 th for an informal social afternoon. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Warm Regards, Charna Schlakman, President Beth Israel Sisterhood any one item in the Judaica Gift Shop New Chanukah Merchandise has arrived! (menorahs, jewelry, cards, banners and more) Visit the Judaica Gift Shop for all of your Holiday needs! Shop Hours: Fridays @ 6pm Sundays 10am-12pm (during Religious School) Weekdays by appointment. 601-956-6215 6 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Sisterhood Monthly Meeting & Chanukah Luncheon December 12th 12:00 Noon Social Hall $10 per person RSVP by Dec. 10th Kimbereley Rost kdrrost@gmail.com 601-397-1941 Sunday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. Please join us. Everyone is welcome. Our December selection is: The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman Future Selection: January: Unorthodox (Feldman) Mazel Tov Ellen Alexander was just named the 2012 Outstanding Development Professional by the Grinspoon Institute for Jewish Philanthropy. Beth Orlansky was nominated to the Union for Reform Judaism Board of Trustees at the national level. Jacob Craig, son of Becci and John Craig and grandson of Sheila and Ira Rubin, was tapped for the National Honor Society. He is a sophomore at Central Academy in Macon, MS. Jonny Orlansky, son of Beth and Steve Orlansky and grandson of Shirley and Judge David Orlansky, is engaged to Jessica Reeves. Christmas at Stewpot WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! 12/24 @ 2:00pm Help unload food 12/25 @ 10:00am Warm the Food 12/25 @ 12:00pm Serve Lunch (Be prepared for a 2 hour shift) A BIC tradition for over 30 years! Contact Kim Graham at kim@bethisraelms.org WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 7
BIC MEN'S CLUB Mark Fijman and Clay Humphrey are now serving as Co-Presidents of the Beth Israel Men s Club and will be coordinating upcoming events and projects. On December 16, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m., the Men s Club will be holding a blood drive in the Temple s Social Hall in association with Mississippi Blood Services. If you are able to donate blood, please participate. If donations total 25 pints, members of the Beth Israel community will be covered for the coming year. Other upcoming events include an after-service BBQ chicken dinner at the Temple, a beer tasting and other social events. Stay tuned for announcements and dates. The Men s Club continues to pay and provide for the breakfast/bagels on Sundays for the Religious School teachers (and others) and recently provided breakfast for approximately 120 hungry teenagers at the recent NFTY Conclave at Beth Israel. The Men s Club also maintains its tradition of providing monthly dinners at the Billy Brumfi eld Shelter and is teaming with the Sisterhood to complete the replacement of all of the old folding tables with new lighter weight tables. Beth Israel Men s Club will be conducting a blood drive at temple December 16th 9:30 am - 1:00 pm Sign-up sheet on the temple bulletin board or call the offi ce The Men s Club funds all its projects with membership dues, and currently, our records show only 13 dues paying members. Please take a moment to fi ll out the form below and send in a check for $36.00 to cover membership dues for 2013. We anticipate a more energetic Men s Club and invite everyone s active participation. If you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail fi jmanm@phelps.com. Beth Israel Men s Club Application Name: Address: Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell) E-mail: -Thank you for supporting the Men s Club- Detach and return your $36.00 check to: Beth Israel Congregation- Men s Club 5315 Old Canton Road Jackson, MS 39211 8 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Religious School and BITY Tot Shabbat Chanukah Party December 7th, 5-6pm BIC Library No cost! Please bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots Dinner will be served. Please RSVP by Dec. 5th Traci (traci@bethisraelms.org) Religous School is collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots this holiday season! BITY Chanukah Party! Sunday, December 16th Noon-2:00pm at Beth Israel THANK YOU! Please bring your donations by the temple and put them in the box outside Traci's office. BITY would like to thank the congregation for all of your help and support in making NFTY Southern s Fall Conclave a huge success! We appreciate all your donations- especially the Sisterhood, Men s Club and the congregants that opened their homes to house our out of town guests. We couldn t have done it without you! WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 9
ANNOUNCEMENTS BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FROM THE OFFICE Contributions processed after December 10th will be included in the February issue of ChaiLights. To protect your privacy and ensure checks are handled in a timely manner, please put all checks in the black lock box by the BIC Office door. The box is conveniently located on the wall to the left of the door. Please don t leave checks anywhere else. Thank you! Reports and articles for the January issue of ChaiLights are due Monday, Dec. 10 th. Submissions can be e-mailed* to support@bethisraelms.org. Submissions received after the 10 th will be included on a spaceavailable basis. *Please note in the subject line (January 2012) ChaiLights submission. DATES TO REMEMBER 12/2 Tikkun Olam Advocacy Workshop, 10am 12/3 Meals on Wheels, 8:30am 12/7 Meals on Wheels, 8:30am 12/7 Tot Shabbat Chanukah Party, 5pm 12/7 Reverend Amy Finkelberg, 6:15pm 12/9 Chanukah Dinner, 5:30pm 12/12 Jewish Books Cooking Play, 5:30pm 12/16 Blood Drive, 9:30am-1:00pm 12/17 Choir Rehearsal, 6:30pm 12/17 Cemetery Committee Meeting, 5:30pm 12/20 Monthly Board Meeting, 6:00pm 12/24 Offi ce Closes at Noon 12/25 Offi ce Closed HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... 12/1 Duncan McCullough 12/2 David Blumenthal 12/3 Bob Dellar 12/3 Jacob Schipper 12/7 Maya Freedman 12/7 Mindy Humphrey 12/7 Kovi Katz 12/7 Brittany Klingler 12/7 Sheila Rubin 12/8 Sandor Feldman 12/8 Bruce Schlakman 12/8 Jonathan Wiener 12/9 Daniel Snyder 12/10 Macy Hart 12/11 Steven Dobel 12/11 Jan Docter 12/11 Philip Pollack 12/12 Gerry Printz 12/13 David Guimbellot 12/13 Erik Hearon 12/13 Melvin Korelitz 12/13 Helene Rotwein 12/13 Bert Rubinsky 12/16 Larry Goldstein 12/16 Marcelo Ruvinsky 12/17 Albert Leveck 12/17 Ira Rubin 12/19 Alice Friedman 12/19 Esther Roberts 12/21 Sydney Geiger 12/23 Lynn Crystal 12/24 Gail Chadwick HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO... 12/17 Sharon and David Norris 12/19 Mary Ann and Richard Schwartz 12/24 Sheila Hailey and Bear Atwood 12/28 Honorine and Allen Weiss 12/29 Brittany and Jacob Klingler 12/30 Betsy and Joey Samuels 12/24 Jennie Loeb 12/25 Jack Blumenthal 12/25 Sheila Hailey 12/26 Nathan Docter 12/27 Gene Crunk 12/27 Bea Gavant 12/28 Jacob Klingler 12/29 Alyssa Silberman 12/30 Tara Blumenthal 12/30 Lisa Ivshin 12/30 Olivir Robbins 12/31 Joseph Harris 12/31 Jeramie Klein 10 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
In Memory of Beth Sollek By Mary Gail and Harry Kolodney to the Shirim Choir Fund By Melanie and Lou Newman to the Capital Improvements Fund By Carol and Gary Brush to the General Fund By the Faculty & Staff at Madison Career and Technical Center to the Caring Committee Fund By Arna and Dick Miller to the Shirim Choir Fund By Melissa and Ralph Daniel to the Caring Committee Fund By Kelly and Lawrence Haber to the Endowment Fund By Melanie Dobel to the Cemetery Fund By Jarmila and Peter Zapletal to the Shirim Choir Fund By Mary Golde and Bill Howell to the Cemetery Fund By Debra and Joel Jacobs to the Cemetery Fund By Gilda Hesdorffer to the Cemetery Fund By Helen Greenberg to the Cemetery Fund In Appreciation of the Shirim Choir By Kelly and Lawrence Haber to the Shirim Choir Fund In Memory of Michele Fijman By Mindy and Clay Humphrey to the Cemetery Fund In Memory of Beulah Geiger By Mindy and Clay Humphrey to the Cemetery Fund In Memory of Nellie R. Cohen J.D. By Stephen J. Goldberg to the Caring Committee Fund In Honor of Rabbi Valerie Cohen By Reva and Ellis Hart to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund In Memory of Suzanne Goodwin By Melissa and Ralph Daniel to the Caring Committee Fund In Memory of Harris Evans By Melissa and Ralph Daniel to the Caring Committee Fund In Memory of Marshall Edelston By Melissa and Ralph Daniel to the Caring Committee Fund In Memory of Claire Levy Simon By Melissa and Ralph Daniel to the Caring Committee Fund By Vicki Siegel to the General Fund To the Beth Israel Endowment Fund By Michelle and Sidney Mack In Honor of the Adult B nai Mitzvah Class By Melissa and Ralph Daniel to the Caring Committee Fund In Memory of David Lipsich By Helen Leighton to the Cemetery Fund In Memory of Leon Lipsich By Helen Leighton to the Cemetery Fund In Memory of Elaine Crystal By Melanie Dobel to the Cemetery Fund By Emily Kamber to the Cemetery Fund By Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC to the General Fund By Bea Gavant to the Shirim Choir Fund By Aaron Trubman to the Cemetery Fund By Mindy and Clay Humphrey to the Cemetery Fund By The Private Bank to the General Fund By Joe Harris to the Cemetery Fund By Sue and Bobby Jacobs to the Cemetery Fund By Bill Gotthelf to the Cemetery Fund By Mary Golde and Bill Howell to the Cemetery Fund By Mary and Ken Foose to the General Fund By James E. Bowley to the Cemetery Fund By Debra and Joel Jacobs to the Cemetery Fund By Ergon and the Leslie B. Lampton Family to the Cemetery Fund By The Wesley A Caldwell Foundation to the General Fund By Ridgway, Lane & Associates, ITF Eastbrooke II Condominium Association to the Cemetery Fund By Lynda Ann Costas to the Cemetery Fund By Gilda Hesdorffer to the Cemetery Fund By Robert Smith of Central MS Health Services, Inc. to the General Fund By Thomas E. Guillot, Jr. to the Cemetery Fund By Judy and Joshua Wiener to the Cemetery Fund By Carol Kossman to the Capital Fund By Amy and Arty Finkelberg to the Cemetery Fund By Betty and Charles Crowell to the Cemetery Fund By Helen Greenberg to the Cemetery Fund By Nell Weiss to the Cemetery Fund In Honor of Kay and Philip Pollack and the New Orleans Saints By Ira Rubin to the Saturday Morning Fund In Memory of Polly Owen By Carol Kossman to the Capital Fund In Memory of Robert Greenberg By Helen Greenberg to the Cemetery Fund WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 11
5315 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211 Phone: 601.956.6215 Fax: 601.952.0895 We Remember Nov. 30 - December 1 Bernard Lasky Freda Orkin* Albert Rosenfield* Harold Berg Sidney Goldfarb Ann Taylor Melvin Slifkin Emile Wise Isadore Draft Lucien Loeb Sarah Lubin Berman* Maurice Sollek* Maurice Sontheimer Adele Bernstein Phillip Gressel Samuel Libglid December 7-8 Milton Friedman Leonard Pepper* Deborah Blumenthal Lois Grief Canfiled Jack Freedman* S. Cyril Hart Meyer Levy Ida Leigh Schwartz* Anne Trubman Rebecca Ida Jacobs Pauline Cohen* Barry Draft Fannie Abrams Ethel Geoghegan Maurice Handelman December 14-15 Sam Korelitz Norman Stamm* Leonard Winer Victoria Finkelberg* David Levy Jack Harris Lillie Hart Gus Herrman* Selma Geiger Brown Samuel Joseph* Raja Volfson Joseph Ascher* Esther H. Docter Y D 2012 Fannie Evans Rosalie Lasky Frances Lefkowitz* Naomi Rubin December 21-22 John J. Fischer* Irving Sollek Jacques Wahba Harris Botnick* Max Fratkin Chester Kossman Gilbert Metz Louise Metz Israel Berman* J Lawrence Levy Goldie Cecila Sokolsky William B. Wiener, Jr.* Phyllis Lehman Herman* Simon Rubinsky Samuel Steeg Israel Abrams Jacob Kulman December 28-29 Harry Glass* Winnie Seay Leonard Smith Ruth Browdy Manny Crystal* Wesley Daniels Rabbi Joshua Goldberg Jacob Nechamkin Millie Stamm* Stella Weinstein Molly Belanoff Lucille Rosenfield* Joseph Lasky Libbie Rotwein* Linda Denmark Morris Mermelstein Cecile M. Priebatsch Joseph Rotwein* Ann S. Cohen* Pearl Hesdorffer* Shirley Klateman* Helen Praver