PUBLISHED MONTHLY NO. 11 NOVEMBER 2012 DIVREI HARAV: WORDS FROM RABBI COHEN Is Yoga Kosher? Judaism has always put an emphasis on the balance of body, mind, and spirit. If our bodies are unhealthy, our minds and spirits are usually at risk. If our spirituality is damaged, it is hard for our bodies to heal. A strong mind helps us learn how to strengthen our bodies and enlighten our spirits. All three are important for healthy living. Balance is important in Judaism. Throughout the ages, Judaism in one way or another has worked to address the wellness of body, mind and spirit. Jews have paid attention to eating right, exercise, and seeking out physicians even when they were looked upon with suspicion. The Talmud even emphasized that every town should have a vegetable garden. We cultivated our minds through Torah study and conversations, with teaching our children from a young age about Judaism and the world, and employing methods of logic as we dove into Talmud text. Our spirits soared through evolving prayer and multiple theologies that developed as the society around us changed. We have been and still are open to new ideas. Today, how are Jews addressing the needs of our bodies, minds and spirits? How are we working to achieve the balance? Throughout the country, there is a renewed interest in Jewish meditation. I intentionally say renewed interest, because meditation has long served Judaism as a form of worship and spiritual growth. Jewish meditation satisfi es and quiets our minds, spirits, and for many, our bodies as well. Somewhat newer to Judaism is an interest in yoga. In synagogues across the country, Jewish Yoga classes are being offered in addition to specifi cally Jewish Yoga Studies in larger metro areas. Yoga lends itself to Jewish spirituality. Jewish spirituality lends itself to Yoga. And again, yoga satisfi es and quiets our bodies, minds, and spirits. Campaign for Kindness: Congregant Spotlight A few weeks ago, I received a small package in the mail from Shooting Star Enterprise. Never heard of the company. As I opened the package, I discovered a few bags of what were called Kindness Coins. Multi-colored, each coin said on one side, Kindness Coin You made me smile with a smiley heart. On the other side was a kindness quote (usually pretty cheesy, I admit) and the words at the bottom, PASS IT ON. The coins were a gift from Lawson Metz, our Kindness Congregant of the Month. I called Lawson, and he told me the story of how, after the High Holidays, one of these coins appeared in his store in Clinton. Remembering the Campaign for Kindness, he decided to send some coins to temple. Lawson told me it was proof he paid attention to my sermons! Kindness is contagious. The idea of these coins is to give them to someone when you see them doing something kind and to tell them why you are giving them the coin. No one should ever hold on to the coin for long. The point is to give the coin away. Find another person being kind, and pass it on. Because Lawson sent these coins to Beth Israel, we have a way to acknowledge people s actions of kindness, of chesed, and continue to PASS IT ON. Kindness is contagious, but it has to start from somewhere. Thank you to Lawson Metz for inspiring this component of our Campaign for Kindness. (Continued on page 4) 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
Thursday, November 15, 6:30pm - 9:00pm Fowler Hall, St. James Episcopal Church $15 per person, includes dinner VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, CALL 601-956-6215 OR EMAIL MEG@BETHISRAELMS.ORG Live Music by The Sessions Big band-era attire encouraged St. James Episcopal Church Broadmeadow United Methodist Church Beth Israel Congregation A Dancing Testament to Interfaith and Fun 2 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Jewish Yoga: Balancing Mind, Body and Spirit Wednesdays @ 7:30-8:30pm (come early to fi nd your place) $5 / session November 7, 14, 28 December 5, 12, 19 Instructor: Deb Lewis, owner and director of Joyfl ow Yoga Studio Visit the Judaica Gift Shop for all of your holiday needs! "Chai" military necklace only $6.00 each regularly $12.00 (manufacturer's overrun) Debi Lewis has been teaching Yoga for over 20 years, accredited by the Yoga Alliance. She has experience and training in several forms of body/energy work as well as in several forms of meditative movement forms. She is the author of Yoga Nine Ways: Awaken to Source with Yoga and Enneagram. *Bring your own yoga mat & props if you have them. We will provide them if you don't. WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 3
Introduction to Jewish Meditation: Study & Practice Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm November 6, 13, 27 In this class, we will spend time studying the history of Jewish meditation as well as the many different kinds of Jewish meditations that have been practiced throughout the ages. In each session, we will also listen to a Kavannah (teaching) led by a Jewish Meditation Teacher (over podcast or video) and then experience our own meditation practice. Whether we are simply following our breath, focusing on placing God before us always, as we read in daily prayers or cultivating tikkun olam, from the inside out, practicing Jewish meditation is a way to fi nd relaxation, stillness, healing, and a sense of peace, as well as personal transformation and a deep connection to our Source. Words from Rabbi Cohen continued from Page 1: Srinivasan, the senior teacher at the worldwide Shivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, says Yoga is not a religion, but a science of religion. He explains, It applies to all religions. It s not that yoga comes from Hinduism. Hinduism originates in yoga. Buddhism comes from yoga, too. Srinivasan doesn t see how spiritual yoga practice and Judaism are incompatible. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach used to come to our Ashrams, he said. He understood we were talking about the same thing. Hasidic mysticism and Kabbalah are very much in line with yogic thought. This month, we will begin two series: a course on Jewish Meditation Study & Practice, and Jewish Yoga. Come to one, come to both. Even if you have never meditated or never tried yoga. Especially if you are a novice. This is your chance and an opportunity to participate in a way which is inherently Jewish. Together, we will learn how to satisfy and quiet our bodies, minds, and spirits and bring everything into balance....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 4 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Then Abraham spoke, saying. Let me pay the price of the land, accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there. Genesis 23:12 In 1860, Jackson Jews formed a Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, the purpose of which was to establish a Jewish cemetery in Jackson. Before they even considered erecting a building (for education of their children and to double as worship space) and hiring a Rabbi, they purchased land for the cemetery. The most important thing to our forebears was a place to bury their dead and today we reap the benefi t of their foresight. Our Congregation s leaders and Cemetery Committees since that time have worked diligently to see to it that the cemetery would not only be there for us in perpetuity, but be a place of which we can all be proud. Our location is passed and seen by thousands of Jacksonians and visitors each day showing passersby that the Jackson Jewish Community is ongoing and vibrant and perfectly capable of maintaining our Cemetery in a condition that is a credit to us and the City in which we live. The biblical imperative above reminds us that we are expected to provide a place to bury our dead. In fact, until about thirty years ago, maintenance of the cemetery was a line item in our budget. At that time the Cemetery Chairs and members instituted and enforced policies that they expected would allow Beth Israel Cemetery to be self-supporting, not requiring any fi nancial input from the Congregation. Between income (interest and dividends) from the Beth Israel Cemetery Trust Fund (the corpus of which comes from Perpetual Care fees) and contributions to the Cemetery Fund, the goal of self-perpetuation was realized. However, over the last few years with investment return on the Cemetery Trust Fund down, reduced contributions to the Cemetery Fund, and increased maintenance costs, the current income is insuffi cient to sustain the needs of the cemetery month after month. Our Cemetery and Finance Committees have met and remedies have been discussed. A plan has not been fi nalized but we re clear that there will not be a simple cure. The one thing we do know is that we must increase income to the Cemetery Trust Fund and Cemetery Fund or we will be unable to continue the standard of care we have afforded our cemetery. So what can members of our congregation do to help solve this problem? There are two options at this time. If you haven t yet selected and reserved your burial plot by paying the Perpetual Care fee, taking action now would increase the corpus of the Cemetery Trust Fund, thereby strengthening the Fund and increasing income that could be used toward future maintenance. Whether you ve already reserved your spot or not, you can make an effort to remember that at this time, the Cemetery Fund is in greater need than most of our other funds. Why not remember a loved one or friend with a contribution in their memory at the time of their Yarhzeit? This is a customary act in many congregations and could easily become a part of our culture. In Ecclesiastes we learn: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.. Please let this be the time and season that you see the purpose in meeting the needs of our cemetery. WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 5
THE SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families this month, I would like us to remember how fortunate we are. Beth Israel Sisterhood consistently gives to many local charities in Jackson. During the holiday I encourage you to help feed the elderly, the homeless and the many other families in our community in need who would go without food this holiday season if it weren t for people like us. A small donation would be greatly appreciated to our Meals on Wheels Program, Stewpot, Food Bank, or Sim s House. On another note, I would like to remind everyone that we have planned a Mitzvah Day on Sunday, November 11 th, for the residents of The Blake -for a fun afternoon of music and song. If you have a special talent and like to perform, we can put you on the lineup. Kindly contact myself or Kim Rost. Wishing everyone a joyous Thanksgiving. Charna Schlakman, President Beth Israel Sisterhood SAVE THE DATE Sisterhood Monthly Meeting & Chanukah Luncheon December 12th Noon any one item in the Judaica Gift Shop Shabbat November 2nd after Shabbat Services $10 adults $5 children under 12 We will have: spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert & wine RSVP to Charna by October 30th 954-629-1371 charna515@aol.com (Please prepay & mail your check to Beth Israel Sisterhood) 6 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Sisterhood Mitzvah Day @ the Blake November 11th 2-4pm Sunday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. Please join us. Everyone is welcome. Come on all you singers, musicians & dancers! Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer! Our November selection is: Kosher Chinese by Michael Levy All are welcome! For more info, contact Kimbereley Rost 601-397-1941 or kdrrost@gmail.com Future Selection: December: A Thread of Grace (Russell) Meals on Wheels Chanukah Dinner sponsored by Sisterhood Sunday, December 9th 5:30pm in the Social Hall Needs Volunteers to: cook or bring food prepare the plates deliver the meals Please contact Charna Schlakman 954-629-1371 $15 adults, $5 children under 12 RSVP to Jan Docter by Dec. 3rd 601-842-1550 WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 7
Miss. State Hillel Religious School and BITY BITY is hosting NFTY-SOUTHERN FALL CONCLAVE here in Jackson, MS November 16 th -18 th Over 120 teens will join us for a weekend of programming and activities planned and run by BITY! We need your help! Be a host family for a few teens that weekend! If you have any questions, please let Traci know! Traci@bethisraelms.org Will Leonard (son of Melanie Howell Leonard) was named a National Merit Semi-Finalist at St. Andrew's Episcopal School Miss. State Hillel Mississippi State Hillel T-Shirts Can be ordered through: www.jewishlife.org.msstate.edu OR www.facebook.com/missstatehillel Would make a great Chanukah gift! For every tax deductible donation of $25, we will ship a shirt. Please include sizes and preferred mailing address. Keeping it Kosher since 2009. Hail State! Hillel We appreciate your support of meaningful Jewish experiences for today, tomorrow, and forever. L shana Tova from HIllel at MSU! 8 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
November 9th 6:15 pm Family-friendly Shabbat Services followed by dinner out together at Jason s Deli. Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ BethIsraelPreschool Check out our new & improved website! www.bethisraelpreschool.com We are compiling a directory of businesses and professional services offered by members of Beth Israel Congregation which will be separate from our membership directory. There is no charge to be included in the directory, but any donations will be greatly appreciated. Please complete the following information: Business Name Brief Description of Services Address Website Phone numbers Name of Beth Israel Member Please forward this information to jwahba@earthlink.net or call Judy at 601-291-0076 WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 9
ANNOUNCEMENTS BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FROM THE OFFICE Contributions processed after November 10th will be included in the January 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 December issue of ChaiLights are due Saturday, Nov. 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 (December 2012) ChaiLights submission. DATES TO REMEMBER 11/2 Shabbat Spaghetti Dinner 11/5 Meals on Wheels, 8:30am 11/8 Monthly Board Meeting, 6:00pm 11/9 Meals on Wheels, 8:30am 11/11 Sisterhood Mitzvah Day @ the Blake 11/13 Choir Practice, 6:30pm 11/15 Fall Ball Big Band Dinner & Dance 6:30-9:00pm 11/18 Sisterhood Book Club, 11:00am 11/22 Offi ce Closed for Thanksgiving 11/26 Choir Practice, 6:30pm HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO... 11/1 Becci and John Craig 11/8 Morgan and Aaron Samuels 11/10 Lisa and Michael Ivshin 11/13 Christina and Marshal Klaven 11/18 Elizabeth and Trey McGregor 11/25 Sandra and Steve Liverman 11/29 Gail Chadwick and Jonathan Fratkin 11/1 Lucy Cohen 11/1 Mathew Harris 11/1 Bette Shornick 11/2 Ellen McGregor 11/2 Steve Silberman 11/3 Ilia Giammarco 11/3 Marcia Walsh 11/4 Rebecca Laskin 11/4 Aaron Samuels 11/5 Bear Atwood 11/5 J. B. Sandifer 11/6 Navit Allouche 11/10 Allison Goldman 11/10 Emily Kamber 11/10 Morris Mermelstein 11/11 Cheryl Katz 11/12 Benjamin Russell 11/13 Sloan Bancroft 11/13 Emily Fertig 11/13 Henry Fischer 11/14 Joseph Metz 11/15 Monique Guimbellot 11/15 Rachel Shute 11/17 Helen Greenberg 11/17 Mary Golde Howell 11/18 Judy Stamm 11/18 Michael Steiner 11/19 Emma Pollack 11/20 George Glass 11/21 Phoebe Spencer 11/22 Stacy Dampf 11/22 Amy Finkelberg 11/22 Reed Leonard 11/23 Gary Schneider 11/26 Joel Jacobs 11/26 Peggie Omolara 11/27 Rebecca Docter 11/27 Andrea Fish 11/27 Spencer Nessel 11/28 Dinah Jeannette Briggs 11/28 Tille Docter 11/28 Casey Mabry 11/29 Nina Mabry 11/29 James Paul 10 BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
In Memory of Morton S. Adler By Marcia and Mike Walsh to the Tikkun Olam Fund In Honor of Josh Wiener By Amy and Arty Finkelberg to the Shirim Choir Fund In Memory of Claire Simon Thank You By The Perkins Family to the General Fund By Melanie and Howard Rubin to the General Fund By Pinnacle Anesthesia Consultants to the General Fund By The Bernstein Family to the General Fund To the Jewish Cinema By Gavin Brannan In Memory of Dudley Burwell By Joan Burwell to fund office computers In Memory of Sally Asher By Susan Kaleshman to fund office computers To the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund By Joann Eisenstatt In Appreciation of Rabbi Valerie Cohen By Emily Kamber to the Beth Israel Sisterhood By Jill Solomon to the General Fund In Memory of Beth Sollek By Emily Kamber to the Cemetery Fund By Donna and Ted Orkin to the Cemetery Fund By Joann Eisenstatt to the General Fund By Wendy Pounds to the General Fund By Marcia and Robbie Barron to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund By Bea Gavant to the Shirim Choir Fund By Amy and Arty Finkelberg to the Shirim Choir Fund By Sue and Bobby Jacobs to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund By Jan and David Docter to the Cemetery Fund By Marty Davidson to the General Fund By Marcia and Mike Walsh to the Shirim Choir Fund By Gloria Howard Martin to the General Fund By Bonnie and Judd Levenson to the General Fund By Bea Gotthelf to the General Fund By Susan and Macy Hart to the Cemetery Fund By Aaron Trubman to the Cemetery Fund By Connie and Bruce Granoff to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund By David Lee to the Cemetery Fund In Appreciation of the Shirim Choir By Rose Mary Foncree to the Shirim Choir Fund In Memory of Dora and Murray Leventhal By Stuart P. Leventhal to the General Fund In Honor of Lawson and Joseph Metz By Amy and Arty Finkelberg to the Capital Fund In Memory of Maxine Harris By Judy and Albert Wahba to the Cemetery Fund Check it Out! You can now make secure online payments at www.bethisraelms.org Types of payments: Contributions Dues/Commitments Religious School Fees WWW.BETHISRAELMS.ORG 11
5315 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211 Phone: 601.956.6215 Fax: 601.952.0895 We Remember Yahrzeits for November 2012 November 2-3 November 9-10 November 16-17 November 23-24 Rose Feldman Fay Oppenheim Odess David Britt Rivlin* Fred Cohen* David Hirsch Joseph Rubinsky* Beatrice Lehman* Betty Cohen Fanya Gorelik Sam Griefer Louis Lewine* Arthur Fredrick Miller Harold Gotthelf, Jr.* Thelma Dorfman* Morris Laskin Joseph Bernstein Susan Childs* Harry Draft* Frank Friedler Frances Bass Ruth Greenfield Aaron Klavsner Meredith Spencer Ben Weiner* Rose Peltz Davis Edward Prager Charles Ross Wolfgang Wernicke* Samuel Galea Lillie S. Rouz Rick Swick Maurine Wiener Tessie Levy Morris Trubman Morris Zelmon Guierl Lee Smith David Neidorf Theadore M Lamensdorf Isadore Lewine* Esther Feldman Timothy Amadee Carl Bonas Sara Chain Simon Sharp Stanley P. Shindell* Martha Thielman Lena Fine Botnick* Frances Kast Ben Kreitman Jack Shapiro Marian Docter* Florence Lehman* Jane Levy* Mollie L. Spitzberg Lester Burgh Myron Buddy Rones Estelle Bergman Sadie Bloom Isidore Lehman* Ross Allyn Howard Fishman Albert Mitchell* Saul Grossman Rae Rozolsky Stephen Eisman Asher* Mina Kuhnreich Gran Emil Lutfy Cornelia Prager Charles A Clarke