Beth Shalom Synagogue

Beth Shalom Synagogue 5827 North Trenholm Road * Columbia, SC 29206 * (803) 782-2500 Welcome to Beth Shalom! We are glad to hear of your interest in our community. Beth Shalom means House of Peace, and we hope this is a place where you can find peace, healing, inspiration and community, and grow in your love of yiddishkeit and your service of the divine. We are an inclusive and joyous spiritual community where tradition lives and thrives. At Beth Shalom, we offer more than just services. We offer Torah, joyous study of our traditional texts as a lifelong pathway to spiritual growth. We offer gemilut hesed, opportunities to do mitzvot together both for the Jewish community and for the greater world. And we offer community. I would be glad to speak with you more about your Jewish interests and passions, to offer any help or guidance which you would need, or simply to chat and get to know you. My door is always open. Sincerely, Rabbi David B. Siff

BETH SHALOM SYNAGOGUE 5827 N. Trenholm Rd. Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 782-2500 RABBI: David Siff DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: Rebecca Pinsker RESIDENT SCHOLAR: Dr. Leon Spotts PRESIDENT: Dr. Lilly Filler WEB SITE: www.bethshalomcolumbia.org

Welcome to Beth Shalom Synagogue! Beth Shalom "House of Peace" is affiliated with the Conservative branch of American Judaism. Our worship service is conducted mostly in Hebrew with English translation available on every page of the prayer book and Chumash (Bible). The Shabbat (Sabbath) evening and morning services in which we participate is a tradition that dates back well over 2000 years and is conducted in synagogues worldwide. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an important cultural and religious event in the life of a Jewish boy or girl, marking the time when he/she makes the transition to a young adult member of the Jewish community. Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a call to responsibility. Kippot (head covering) and Tallit (prayer shawls) You may wonder why so many Jewish men in the synagogue wear a prayer shawl (tallit), with long fringes. That's because of G-d's command in Numbers 15:37-41: The Lord said to Moses as follows: Speak to the Israelite people and instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a cord of blue to the fringe at each corner... Thus you shall be reminded to observe all my commandments and to be holy to your G-d." The wearing of the Tallit is optional for women. When entering the sanctuary, all men and boys are required to wear a head covering or Kippah. This is a Jewish tradition and a sign of respect for G-d. Women are only required to wear a head covering when called to the Bema (the raised platform in front of the synagogue). The Sanctuary As you sit in the main sanctuary, look straight ahead. The raised platform, or stage in front of the synagogue is called a bimah. Located in the middle of the bimah is the Holy Ark containing the Torah (Scroll of the Law), in which is written the Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses. Our synagogue has more than one Torah scroll, but it should be noted that all are identical; in content, writing (orthography), and length, and are always produced by specially-trained scribes. The scribe may require about a year to write a Torah scroll. All writing is copied from an existing scroll, and each word is pronounced aloud by the scribe before copying it. There can be no mistakes. If an error is made the entire sheet of parchment is set aside and buried. There is no punctuation and there are no vowels in the Torah. Aside from the beautiful manner in which the Hebrew text is written, there is no decoration or pictorial art in a Torah scroll. Reading from the Torah is the central element around which the Sabbath morning liturgy is built. The Torah Service Hebrew is read from right to left, so the reading of the

prayer book also moves in that direction. This portion of the service centers on the chanting of the text from the Torah and a text from the Prophets (Haftorah). The Torah contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah describes the origins of the Jewish people. Embodied in this history are the laws by which we are expected to live. Each week the Torah is removed and a designated portion is read. After the Torah has been removed from the Ark, it is carried around the sanctuary so that congregants may touch is as a sign of love and respect. The congregation always rises when the Ark is opened out of respect for the word of G-d contained in the Torah. The Ark is located on the eastern wall of the synagogue, facing Jerusalem, the site of the ancient Temple. The Torah scrolls are velvet or satin covered and are adorned with silver ornaments. Hanging above the Ark is an ornate lamp called the "Ner Tamid" or Eternal Light. It is continually lit to remind us of the constant watchfulness of G-d. The service is divided into three main parts: Shacharit Service: This service includes introductory prayers, psalms, affirmation of faith and silent devotions. The Torah Service: This begins with the opening of the Ark and removal of the Torah Scrolls. The Torah will be carried around the sanctuary for all to see and touch. The scroll is then opened and the weekly portion read. The weekly Torah portion has been sub-divided into small sections. For each section we call upon an honored adult who thanks G-d for the spiritual privilege of reciting a blessing over the Torah. This honor is called an Aliyah. Every Shabbat at least seven Jews beyond Bar or Bat Mitzvah age are called to the bema to recite a blessing over the Torah (Aliyah). Then the weekly Haftorah portion will be read along with introductory and concluding blessings. The Haftorah is the lesson from the Prophets. The Torah and Haftorah portions can be found in Hebrew and English in the larger Chumashim, or Bibles. The Musaf Service: This relatively short service contains concluding prayers and hymns. After blessing over the wine and challah (ceremonial bread), please join us for kiddush luncheon in the social hall. Thank you for joining us and we wish you a Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath of Peace).

Schedule of Services Shabbat evening services Friday - 6:30 p.m. Shabbat morning services Saturday - 9:45 a.m. Minyan Monday-Thursday - 6:15 p.m. E-mail Addresses: Rabbi David Siff: Rebecca Pinsker: Dr. Leon Spotts: Tonya Dotson: Sara Simmons: DSiff@juno.com RebeccaFHP@gmail.com Dugree33@yahoo.com BethShalom@bellsouth.net ReligiousSchool@bellsouth.net Web Site: www.bethshalomcolumbia.org

Beth Shalom Synagogue RESOURCES & PROGRAMS Junior Congregation Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education Learning your prayers and learning how to pray are two completely different skill sets! Families and students join together the first two Shabbatot a month to learn how to pray and create a dialogue with G d. Kadima & USY Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education We may be small but we are mighty! Get together with other your other Jewish friends and not only have fun but do mitzvot at the same time! Join us for loads of fun. Family Shabbat This monthly program features a family oriented Friday night service followed by a Shabbat dinner including food and special programming for children. Interfaith / Intermarriage Contact: Matt Gottlieb, 528 7312 Do you or will you have a non Jewish family member or spouse? This does not exclude anyone from being involved or welcome at Beth Shalom. We offer programming and support to assist in the inclusion of all family members wanting to be involved members of the community. Even if you just have a question we are there for you. Daily Worship We join together as a community for daily worship (minyan) Monday through Thursday at 6:15 p.m. Tikkun Olam Contact: Sue Berkowitz, 256 0109 Adult Education Academy Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education Lean in an innovative environment that encourages questions. Academy leaning happens three times a year, Fall, Winter, and Spring with course offerings of two 55 minute classes each hour from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday evenings.

Music & Choir Contact: Dr. Michal Rubin, 738 0267 Beth Shalom is in the midst of a "musical" journey, enriching our services with music and song with an emphasis on congregational singing. Sound files are sent to the community with new melodies; groups of "singers" prepare for the High Holy Days, encouraging singing in the kahal (congregation); our services are led by lay leaders; the Torah and Haftarah are chanted by lay readers; As a new congregant, we would like to extend our invitation to you to join the ranks of singers, Torah readers, and prayer leaders. Hesed Outreach Contact: Doris Frank, 699 1464 Caring for Our Members Our compassion for our Beth Shalom community finds its expression in the physical world through bikur cholim, visiting the sick, and nichum avelim, comforting the mourner. Both these mitzvot fall within gemilut chesed, acts of loving kindness performed in emulation of God's devine kindness and love, without the expectation of reward or acknowledgment. The relationships created by these acts hold the potential for spiritual experiences, enriching the giver as well as receiver. Library Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, commemorating a loved one? Consider a donation to continue building our collection of juvenile, research, and adult books. Our library is a welcome haven for scholars, students, browsers, novel lovers, mystery fanatics, and soon movie and music lovers. Beth Shalom Sisterhood Contact: Heidi Lovit, 736 5144 Beth Shalom Sisterhood is a vital part of Beth Shalom. Sisterhood has many programs that run throughout the year, such as Sisterhood Shabbat weekend, Sisterhood Donor, Torah Fund Chai Tea, monthly Jewish Women s Book Club meetings, Paid Up Brunch, and many more. Not to mention they run our beautiful Gift Shop. Sisterhood provides many opportunities for support to our synagogue and educational department. Join Sisterhood today! Sisterhood Gift Shop As you consider your birthday, wedding, anniversary, and holiday gift needs, come see the wonderful assortment of jewelry, serving pieces, candlesticks, religious, and non religious items. Hours are: Wednesday: 4:30 6:15 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m., or by appointment 782 2500. We are looking for volunteers to work in the Gift Shop for a couple of hours a week. If you are interested in seeing how you can help, call Naomi Freedman. at 787 1882

Beth Shalom Board of Directors Officers Welcome to BETH SHALOM SYNAGOGUE President: Lilly Filler Vice President: Barbara Blau Treasurer: Joe Sharnoff Financial Secretary: David Zalesne Recording Secretary: Harold Friedman Immediate Past President: Howard Stravitz Members of the Board of Directors Ruth Bazerman Ronnie Frank Ira Greenberg Howard Hammer Lyssa Harvey Charles Kahn Hyman Karesh Dan Matzner Sandra Poliakoff Sharon Robinson Beth Bernstein Sanders Linda Schoen Giddings Aaron Small Randy Stark Board of Trustees Members Shep Cutler Bruce Filler Belle Jewler Barry Laban David Lovit Bill Stern Jack Swerling Henry Ray Wengrow oka,hc Where Tradition Come Alive RABBI: David B. Siff DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: Rebecca Pinsker 5827 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC. 29206 (803) 782-2500 www.bethshalomcolumbia.org Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

THE BEGINNING THE HISTORY The Jewish community has existed in Columbia since the early nineteen century, with German Jewish settlers practicing Judaism in a synagogue they had rebuilt in 1900, after it was destroyed by General Sherman s troops in the closing days of the Civil War. By 1907, a number of Jewish men began to gather in this small house at the corner of Park and Lady Street to conduct Orthodox services. This small minyan became the House of Peace (Beth Shalom) under the leadership of the first congregational president, Philip Epstein, and received a state charter in 1912. THE PAST By 1928, Columbia s Jewish community was too large to be accommodated in the Park Street Synagogue and plans were made to erect a larger synagogue. On January 27, 1935, this building was built on Marion Street. At a general meeting on April 21, 1955, the congregation approved the purchase of land on Trenholm Road to be used to build a Jewish Community Center, education building and Synagogue. The JCC later became a separate organization and the education building (now known as Lollipop Lane Daycare) served as Sunday School, Hebrew School and Nursery School, until the current education wing was added onto the synagogue in 1980. THE PRESENT Ground breaking ceremonies for the new Synagogue at 5827 North Trenholm Rd., were held on December 19, 1971. The dedication of the new Synagogue we now call home was held on March 25, 1973. At a general congregational meeting held on October 31, 1976, the congregation voted to build an education building adjacent to the Synagogue. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on May 20, 1979 and the completed building was officially dedicated on January 12, 1980. A major expansion of the education wing was built in 1999. A Mikvah was constructed adjacent to the education building in 1999. Today our congregation has the largest membership in its history and many second and third generation Beth Shalom members have taken leadership roles within the Synagogue. Rabbi David B. Siff 782-2500 Director of Education Rebecca Pinsker 782-2500 Resident Scholar Dr. Leon Spotts 787-9330 President Dr. Lilly Filler 788-2416 Vice President Barbara Blau 782-0612 Treasurer Joe Sharnoff 788-1184 Financial Secretary David Zalesne 788-2577 Membership Co-Chairs Sharon Robinson 790-7977 Lyssa Harvey 787-7331 Friday Evening Service: 6:30 p.m. Saturday Morning Service: 9:45 a.m. Monday - Thursday Minyans: 6:15 p.m. Beth Shalom Synagogue provides a comprehensive Jewish educational program for the children and youth of the congregation beginning with the early childhood years and extending through Hebrew school into middle school and high school. The young people of the congregation have the opportunity to learn about and participate in the religious traditions and culture of our people. Bar and Bat Mitzvah for boys and girls at age 13 are particularly meaningful at Beth Shalom. And the emerging teen program offers unique opportunities for further Jewish learning coupled with travel to Israel and elsewhere. The congregation also offers a wide-ranging adult education program, including opportunities for studying Hebrew and participating in adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes, discussion groups, lectures on diverse topics such as Israel, Jewish holidays, and life cycle events. For further information on any of the above, contact the Director of Education at Beth Shalom, Rebecca Pinsker, 782-2500. Board of Education Chairperson: Daryl Giddings 419-0203 Hebrew School: Wednesday 4:30-6:15 p.m. Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Select Saturdays 9:45 a.m. - noon The Sisterhood of Beth Shalom Synagogue plays an active role in the Jewish community. It seeks to instill the ideals of Judaism into the lives and homes of its members through education, social action and religious observance. Call Heidi Lovit at 787-5744, if you would like more information. The Sisterhood operates the gift shop at Beth Shalom for your holiday and special occasion gift giving. The gift shop hours are Wednesdays: 4:30-6:15 p.m. and Sundays: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Beth Shalom Synagogue Where Tradition Comes Alive Application for Membership 5827 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 782-2500 * (803) 782-2501 Fax: (803) 782-5420 www.bethshalomcolumbia.org Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Beth Shalom Synagogue Application for Membership Adult #1 Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc) First name Last name (Birthday) Married / Single / Divorced / Widowed (Circle one) If divorced, was there a get? Home Address: Street City State Zip Home Phone: Personal e mail: Place of employment: Occupation: Work Phone: Work e mail: Cell phone: Hebrew Name: Kohen /Levi /Yisrael (Circle one) Parents Hebrew Names: If Applicable: Date and Place of Conversion: Name of Rabbi: Synagogue Name & Location: Date of Marriage: Adult #2 Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc) First name Last name (Birthday) Have you ever been divorced? If so, was there a get? Place of employment: Occupation: Work Phone: Work e mail: Cell phone: Personal e mail: Hebrew Name (If applicable): Kohen /Levi /Yisrael (Circle one) Parents Hebrew Names: If Applicable: Date and Place of Conversion: Name of Rabbi: Synagogue Name & Location:

CHILDREN INFORMATION: Child's Name Hebrew Name (including parents) Birth date 1. 2. 3. 4. If child's last name, address and/or phone number are different from that of member, please indicate: Name Address Phone E mail: If child is away at college, please indicate: Name College Address Phone E mail: Hebrew School: Additional Information will be sent to you if you check this area. Kindergarten 2nd Grade meet Sundays 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 3rd 7th Grade meet Sundays: 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays: 4:30 6:15 p.m. 8th 10th Grade (Midrasha) meet Thursdays: 6 8 p.m. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: Previous Synagogue/Temple affiliations: Yahrzeit Information Deceased Relationship Who Observes Date of Death

Participation is part of membership at Beth Shalom Synagogue. Which committees or activity might either of you (or your children) be interested in serving on? Please indicate which member is interested in each committee. Committee Adult #1 Adult #2 Social committee Ritual committee Youth committee Chevra Kadisha Cemetery committee Membership committee Library committee Adult Education committee House committee Fundraising committee Outreach (Hesed) committee Global Concerns (Tikun Olam) Bulletin committee Intermarriage committee Please indicate activities you would be interested in becoming involved in: Leading Services Sunday Adult Seminar Sisterhood Kadima (youth group 5th 8th grade) Social Action Hebrew school teaching Daily minyan Torah reading Outreach/volunteer work Shabbat Greeter High Holidays Music & Choir Adult Education Other (please list): Do you have any other skills or interests which you would be interested in sharing with the community? The Beth Shalom Board of Directors meets on the 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the month. At that time, new members applications are introduced and formally approved for membership. Please return to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206 For Office Use Only: Date of Introduction to Rabbi: Date of Introduction to Board: Dues Deposit Received: $ Check # Annual Dues: $ Type of Membership: Family Membership Single Membership Associate Membership 35 & under

Beth Shalom Synagogue Talent Bank From time to time the synagogue staff or synagogue committees have need for members with particular skills and interests. Please indicate by putting a checkmark the areas in which you are willing to share your knowledge and talents with our congregation. Category Description Adult #1 Adult #2 Arts Clerical Judaic/Calligraphy/Illustration/Kid s Projects Decorating/Floral Arrangements Type/File/Organize/Phone Computers Communications Event Planning Financial Food Hebrew Judaic Knowledge Languages Music & Dance Photography Needlework Games Sports Programming/Graphics/Desktop/Publishing Publicity/Media/Facilitating/Newsletter Socials/B nai Mitzvot/Weddings Planning/Management/Training/Consulting Cooking/Baking/Set up/special Teach/Read/Torah/Chant Teach Adult/Religious School/Lead Services Speak/Read/Understand/Write Choir/Song Leader/Instrument/ Israeli Dance People/Events/Nature/Video Sew/Knit/Crochet/Needlepoint/Embroidery Bridge, Mah Jongg, Poker Children s, intramural, softball, tennis, basketball, golf Education Degree (s) Major/Minor School (s) Adult #1 Adult #2 Employment Adult #1 Adult #2 Please mail this form with your filled out application for membership.