Chailights Rabbi s Message The Bible s Cutting Room Floor Every Friday night and Saturday morning, we bring a Torah from the Ark, parade it joyfully, lovingly, and reverentially around the sanctuary, and then read its sacred words to the community. I typically also give a drash or sermon based upon the week s reading. And, as I m doing so, I am often struck by the fact that Jews around the world are reading the exact same texts and perhaps even having the same discussions. It can be awe-inspiring at times to realize that Jews have this special scriptural connection that spans both time and space in this way. The Torah is our central text and provides the groundwork for our Jewish tradition. FEBRUARY 2015 And yet, according to the new book by Dr. Joel Hoffman, The Bible s Cutting Room Floor: The Bible you usually read is the abridged version. Some holy writings were left out for political or theological reasons, others simply because of the physical restrictions of ancient book-making technology. At times, the compilers of the Bible skipped information that they assumed everyone knew. Some passages were even omitted by accident. The human hand involved in crafting the Torah was widely recognized by the 19 th century and became a central tenant in Reform and later other branches of liberal Judaism. For some, it was problematic to both critically study the Torah and at the same time ascribe to it a holy status. For others, however, the scholarly study of Judaism opened up new worlds of possibility in the text and our tradition. I am very excited to announce that on Saturday evening, February 28, Beth Israel Congregation is welcoming to our community author and biblical scholar Dr. Joel Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman is a wonderful speaker and will no doubt open up new worlds for us in our understanding of Torah and Jewish text. Please join us this Saturday evening for Havdallah and Dr. Hoffman s presentation. We encourage you to bring friends from all backgrounds to hear him speak. Dr. Hoffman s bio reads: Dr. Joel M. Hoffman focuses on bringing the Bible to life and is known for his "fresh insights and interpretations about religious life in the 21st century." A popular speaker, he presents to churches, synagogues, community groups, and university audiences across the world. He holds a Ph.D. in linguistics and has served on the faculties of Brandeis University and Hebrew Union College. Dr. Hoffman is the chief translator for the popular 10-volume series, "My People's Prayer Book" (winner of the National Jewish Book Award) and for "My People's Passover Haggadah." He is the author of the critically acclaimed "In the Beginning: A Short History of the Hebrew Language" (NYU Press), and the popular "And God Said: How Translations Conceal the Bible's Original Meaning" (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press). Writing under the pen-name "J.M. Hoffman," he is the author of the thriller series "The Warwick Files." His latest book, "The Bible's Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing From Your Bible," was published by Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press on September 2, 2014. Dr. Hoffman lives in Westchester, NY.
From the President... It is February 2015. Your board is hard at work. We are revising and updating our committees. Please respond favorably when you are asked to join a committee. The Beth Israel bazaar is approaching quickly, please help. We are now finishing a successful film festival. On behalf of the congregation I want to thank Linda Balfour and Dr. James Bowley and their committee for all their hard work. Can you imagine how different Jackson, Mississippi, would be without Beth Israel congregation? No film festival. No bazaar. No Jewish house of worship. No Jewish Tikkun Howard T. Katz Olam committee. No Jewish work with Meals on Wheels or the Billy Brumfield house. We need Beth Israel Congregation to remain a strong and vibrant community involved as leaders of the Greater Jackson Area. Please respond positively to opportunities to help keep our Temple the energetic, enthusiastic fun place of Jewish community, worship and learning. Let Me Go, Let Me Go (Let It Go) Frozen Purim Spiel Come celebrate Purim with: Anna (Esther), Vashti (Elsa), Mordechai (Olaf) and the whole cast of characters. Wednesday, March 4 7:00 p.m BETH ISRAEL OFFICE HOURS HAVE CHANGED IN 2015 Mondays: CLOSED Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Thursdays: 10:00a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Fridays: 10:00a.m.-3:00 p.m. Closed for lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Page 2 Chailights
Education Spotlight Tot Shabbat! February 13, 2015 5:30 p.m. A fun and active way to greet Shabbat For BIC members age 0-7, with caregivers and siblings RSVP to debra@bethisraelms.org by February 11 Bagel Bunch February 8 9:30 until Noon For children not yet enrolled in Sunday school, with their parents or guardians. Come for a nosh, free play, and informal Jewish learning. Make friends, make memories. Questions and RSVP to ericaabeles@gmail.com IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DATES RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DATES: FEBRUARY 1, 8, 15, 22 HEBREW SCHOOL DATES: FEBRUARY 4, 11, 18, 25 Pre-K and Kindergarten Parents: Family Education Day is February 8 from 9:30-Noon Students should attend with a parent, grandparent, or any other important adult in their lives. RSVP to Rabbi Kassoff at debra@bethisraelms.org or 601.956.6215 by February 10. Registration for Jacobs Camp Summer 2015 Is Now OPEN! Wish List Want to show your appreciation for Beth Israel Religious School and all it does for the future of Jewish life in our community and beyond? Here s what s on our wish list: Paper napkins White paper plates for crafting Healthy snacks for Hebrew Hangout Kroger gift cards Volunteer office attendant during Sunday school and/or Hebrew school Anything you can donate saves congregational resources for educational materials & special programs Todah Meirosh... thanks in advance! Jacobs.urjcamps.org/register Beth Israel Religious School is Now Accepting Box Tops for Education Clip your box tops and place them in the box outside the Beth Israel office or in the box on the table in the foyer. Chalights Page 3
Sisterhood Spotlight: A Message from the Sisterhood Presidents Our year is off and running and we are busy preparing for our annual Beth Israel Bazaar. There are many ways you can help make this year better than ever. Please take the time to contact the committee chair of the booth you are interested in helping and let them know what you would like to do. Remember our operating budget for the calendar year depends on the success of our Bazaar and we need all of you to make that happen! Beth Israel Sisterhood April Luncheon! 2015 Bazaar Booth/Committee chairs: Hot Food: Rebecca Laskin Desserts: Alice Friedman Take Home: Dana Larkin Kitchen: Amy Printz Take Out: Peter Sharp Silent Auction: Susan Fijman/Melanie Dobel Silent Auction Closeout: Michele Schipper White Elephants: Paula Erlich/Charna Schlakman Garden Rooms: Ellen Hart Raffle: Kelly Haber Inventory: Carol Kossman Ordering Food: Carol Kossman Volunteer Coordinator: Mindy Humphrey Publicity: Jo Ann Gordon Money: Carol Kossman Cooking Dates for the Bazaar (posted on Temple Calendar) 2/1 Matzo Balls Rebecca Laskin 2/8 Cabbage Rolls Charna Schlakman 2/15 Kugel and Carrots Betsy Samuels and Beth Orlansky 3/22 Baba Ganush Lynda Balfour 3/24 Chopped Liver Cheryl Katz Our February Meeting has been changed to: Sunday February 15, 2015 at 6:30 March 24, Bazaar Set Up March 25, BAZAAR April 4, 2015 Second Seder April 15, 2015 11:30-1:00 Baby Shower Lunch to benefit Blair E. Batson Sit, Sip & Schmooze with Sisterhood Sunday, February 15, 2015 General Meeting 6:30p.m. in the Social Hall Come join Beth Israel Sisterhood as we hold the World Premier of: This Ain t Your Momma s Cruise! Please join us on April 15th! Beth Israel Sisterhood will hold our April General Meeting at Biaggis in Ridgeland. Our April meeting will include a social service event for Blair E. Batson Hospital. We will be collecting new onesies, blankets, bath towels, wash clothes and burp clothes. Time: 11:30-1:00 Cost: $16 Location: Biaggis RSVP by April 10 th Frankie Springer: 601-383-1209 or fmspringer5@gmail.com Nominated for 8 Golden Menorahs Produced by Cheryl Katz & Starring some of your favorite Sisterhood Members Sit and watch the movie as it chronicles the misadventures of the ten brave Sisterhood members who cruised to Mexico this past October. (Note: Information will be released about this year s cruise.) Sip your choice of coffee, tea, & fun drinks with umbrellas & alcohol. Schmooze as you learn how to play Mah Jong from our resident scholars. A little Nosh will be served. RSVP to Esther Roberts at travelwithesther@yahoo.com Chalights Page 4
JEWISH FEDERATION OF JACKSON SHABBAT SERVICE FEBRUARY 20, 2015 Our speaker this evening will be Gil Tamary. Gil is the Washington Bureau Chief for Israel s Channel 10 News. He is recognized in Israel as one of the top news reporters in the country. His background includes a BA with distinction from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from the same institution. Gil has reported on a remarkable array of topics including the Camp David Accords in 2000 where he was able to exclusively interview President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeline Albright. In addition, at the United Nations he was able to pose a question to then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This moment represented the only time that President Ahmadinejad ever spoke to an Israeli journalist. We have asked Gil to speak on the current situation in the Middle East, a difficult and ever-changing scenario. Federation Shabbat promises to be a chance to not only attend our wonderful Friday night Shabbat Services but also to hear an outstanding Israeli journalist speak on the tinderbox that is the Middle East. A Special Oneg will follow services. BITY Buzz: February 6 Tu B Shevat Seder Following Shabbat Services February 21 SHAM: Sushi, Havdallah, and a Movie March 1 Purim Carnival and the Return of the BITY Auction PARENTS! Mark Your Calendars for MARCH 21 PARENTS NIGHT OUT from 5:30-10:30 p.m. A night of fun for kids age 6 months-10 years while parents enjoy some grownup time. $25 for first child, $40 flat rate for two or more siblings. Start cleaning out your closets and drawers. It's time for White Elephant Treasures. You may bring them to Beth Israel on Sunday, March 22nd from 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. If you have any special concerns that you need help with your items, kindly contact: Charna at Charna515@aol.com Are you looking for a way to give something back to our community? Please help our Jackson FOOD PANTRY. Volunteers are needed from Beth Israel: March 2-6, 2015 June 29-July 3, 2015 September 14-18, 2015 December 14-18, 2015 If you can volunteer, please contact: Beth Orlansky at bethorlansky@gmail.com Page 5 Meals on Wheels Needs Your Help on Our Monday Delivery Routes If you have an hour or two to spare one day a month, Sisterhood needs drivers to assist with delivery of the food. The recipients profoundly appreciate our work. It is truly a mitzvah one that is open to the entire congregation, not just Sisterhood members. The routes are local Jackson areas (e.g., Fondren & Belhaven), and we ve mapped them out to be easily manageable. We suggest two person teams working together on each route a driver and an assistant. To volunteer, please contact Charna Schlakman at charna515@aol.com Chailights
2 John Craig 3 Jay Hesdorffer 3 Efrem Lehman 3 Rachel Lehman 5 Melissa Daniel 7 Susan Fijman 7 Maxwell Miller 7 Theresa Priebatsch 7 Michael Torchinsky 8 Robyn Levy 10 Jonathan Norris February Birthdays 11 Hannah Kaminsky 12 Steve Jacobson 12 Harold Kolodney 14 Shelby Barham 14 Shirley Eriksen 15 Susan Hart 15 Kimbereley Roberts 18 Chloe Edwards 18 Betsy Samuels 19 Joseph Samuels 21 David Norris 22 Ruth Docter 22 William Howell 22 William Orlansky 22 Ian Rost 23 Debra Jacobs 24 Honorine Weiss 26 Matthew Dobel 27 Zoey Rockoff 27 Mary Ann Schwartz 27 Albert Wahba Get ready for Purim~ Order Hamantaschen! Anniversaries 10 Phil and Sally Cohen 18 Irv and Trenia Feldman BITY is selling Hamantaschen from Campbell s Bakery. Delicious New York style Hamantaschen, with love from a Jackson institution! $10 a box (10 per box) Choose from these delicious flavors: Apricot, Prune, Raspberry, Strawberry, Assorted Fruit, Poppy, Chocolate Cream Cheese, Nutella, Return you order form and payment to Rabbi Kassoff at the temple. Orders are due no later than Thursday, February 19. Questions? debra@bethisraelms.org or 601.956.6215 Email Orders accepted at the address above. Cookie pick up is March 1-4 at BIC. BITY Hamantaschen Fundraiser Order Form From Campbell s Bakery in Fondren! Name: Phone: I would like to order: boxes of Apricot boxes of Strawberry boxes of Poppy boxes of Prune boxes of Assorted Fruit boxes of Nutella boxes of Raspberry boxes of Chocolate Cream Cheese Total: boxes at $10.00 each I d like to make an additional donation to BITY: $ Total Payment (Hamantaschen and donation): $ Please make your checks payable to BITY. Return this form to Rabbi Kassoff no later than Thursday, February 19. 5315 Old Canton Road Jackson, MS 39211 debra@bethisraelms.org 601.956.6215 Page 6 Chailights
WE APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFULNESS OF THOSE WHO SUPPORT BETH ISRAEL 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 THE GENERAL FUND In Memory of Ira Rubin Jennifer Studebaker, Peter & Tamar Sharp, Kate Milgrom, Mindy & Clay Humphrey, Gail Chadwick & Jonathan Fratkin, Lanny & Marilyn Greenberg, Debra & Joel Jacobs & family, Elsa & Bill Wolfson, Bernice & Stephen Silberman, Rabbi Steve & Lisa Denker, Rivlin Family, Bea Gavant, Gilda Hesdorffer, Beth & Steve Orlansky, James & Susan Younger, Sherril Ann Herman, Ruth Fredericks, Kelly & Lawrence Haber, Bert & Tammy Rubinsky, Rebecca Laskin & Donald Sawyer, Lawrence & Peggy Goldstein, Roma & Dick Shapiro, Barry Charles LaBoda, Eleanor & Stephen Kushnick, Mary Lewis Golden, Julianne & John Reagan In Memory of Francis Larkin Peter & Tamar Sharp, Mindy & Clay Humphrey, Bernice & Stephen Silberman, Gilda Hesdorffer, Jay & Marietta Hesdorffer, Bert & Tammy Rubinsky, Rebecca Laskin & Donald Sawyer, Lawrence & Peggy Goldstein In Memory of Molly Harbor Kelly & Lawrence Haber, Bert & Tammy Rubinsky, Arty & Amy Finkelberg, Dr. & Mrs. Brian P. Hearon, Rebecca Laskin & Donald Sawyer, Bea Gavant, Beth & Steve Orlansky In Memory of Miriam Kolodney Gilbert & Clare Van Loon In Memory of John Paisios Syril Portnoy In Honor of the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Allen & Honorine Weiss Betsy & Joey Samuels In Honor of the Birthday of Bea Gavant Vera Davis In Honor of the Birthday of Emily Thost Vera Davis In Celebration of Joshua Guimbellot Becoming a Bar Mitzvah Kelly & Lawrence Haber In appreciation of Rabbi Ted Riter, Howard & Cheryl Katz, Peter & Tamar Sharp, Gary Friedman, Robyn & Greg Pollack, Mark & Susan Fijman, Ellen & Shawn Alexander, Rabbi Debra Kassoff, and Mindy & Clay Humphrey Kelly & Lawrence Haber THE CARING FUND In Memory of Ira Rubin Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, Lynn & Jerry Eisenstatt, Ralph & Melissa Daniel In Memory of Frances Larkin Ralph & Melissa Daniel In Memory of Margit Zapletal Ralph & Melissa Daniel In Memory of Mark Hearon Ralph & Melissa Daniel In Memory of Miriam Kolodney Ralph & Melissa Daniel In Memory of Molly Harbor Ralph & Melissa Daniel In Honor of the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Allen & Honorine Weiss Joann Eisenstatt THE SATURDAY MORNING FUND In Memory of Ira Rubin Jerry Branson, Ben Chaidell, Eric & Lynda Balfour, Arty & Amy Finkelberg, Marcia & Robbie Barron, Melanie & Lou Newman THE MUSIC FUND In Memory of Miriam Kolodney Arty & Amy Finkelberg In Memory of Ira Rubin Emily Kamber In Honor of Josh Wiener The Haber Family TIKKUN OLAM FUND In Memory of Frances Larkin Arty & Amy Finkelberg, Marcia & Robbie Barron In Memory of Ira Rubin Dana & Jonathan Larkin In Memory of Molly Harbor Dana & Jonathan Larkin In Memory of Miriam Kolodney Dana & Jonathan Larkin THE CEMETERY FUND In Memory of Ira Rubin Lanny & Marilyn Greenberg, Aaron Trubman, Lynne & Roger Rosenfield, J.B. Sandifer, Janice & Bernard Blumenthal, Julianne & John Reagan In Memory of Frances Larkin Aaron Trubman, Janice & Bernard Blumenthal In Memory of Molly Harbor Emily Kamber, Janice & Bernard Blumenthal In Memory of Miriam Kolodney Janice & Bernard Blumenthal In Memory of Selma Geiger Brown Mindy & Clay Humphrey TO BETH ISRAEL PRE-SCHOOL In Memory of Frances Larkin Beth & Steve Orlansky Page 7 Chailights
Non-Profit Org U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #123 JACKSON, MS Located at 5315 Old Canton Road Jackson, MS 39211 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13249 Jackson, MS 39236 Phone: 601-956-6215 Fax: 601-952-0895 E-mail: office@bethisraelms.org bethisraelms.org We Remember Yahrzeits for February 2015 February 1-7 William Friedman Lee Lehman Gotthelf* Abram Hyman Orlansky Phoebe Abraham Spencer Viola Lucus Edward Hulick Jimmy Gordon James Lucien Loeb Judy Feldman* Jennie Rosenzweig Mark Berger William Hirsch* February 8-14 Ruth Taub* Augusta Engel Lehman* Riki Hoffberg Erwin Adler Minnie Ascher* Joseph Fisher Sidney Pollack * Memorial Alcove plaque February 15-21 Celia B. Abromson Louis Binder Reba Gavant Frank Kuerschner Lillian Horton Camilla Wahba Gailynn Ava Pollack Milton Smith Ruth Chamow Ruth Feldman Dave Fisher Esther Levin February 22-28 Betty Kreisman Mary Sher Irene Adele Cessna Fannie Schwartz Irwin Ross Bessie Shornick* Nina Katz Hanna Levine Schussheim Marilyn Kisner Schur