|
|
||||
|
|
www.Temple-Sinai.org April 2008
Rabbi's Message - Rabbi Todd Thalblum mailto:Rabbi at Temple-Sinai.org
Well,
it's that time of year again. Spring is here and Passover is just around
the corner. At our Seders, we will remember our ancestors’
story. We will recall how Moses was sent down the Nile river in a
basket, raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, and exiled from Egypt when he stood up
for a Hebrew slave. We will retell the story of the burning bush and
how Moses was commanded by God to return to Egypt
to deliver the Israelites. We will recount the plagues that were
visited upon Egypt
and how we were ultimately saved by the parting of Red Sea
and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
There are, of course, any number of lessons we can learn from the story of our people’s Exodus. One that recently struck me was a small Midrash about the kind of bush through which God chose to speak to Moses. I learned in Israel, on our Congregation's trip last month, that there is a particular bush that grows throughout the Negev, called the "Desert Broom." The Bedouins use it for fire wood because it burns really slowly and lasts a long time. There is speculation that this might have been the type of bush that Moses saw in the desert, all those years ago. It is a small, unremarkable, and lowly bush. I even have a picture of it from our trip.
According to the Torah, the “Burning Bush” the Moses saw was also an unremarkable bush. It was extraordinary in that it burned without being consumed by the flames, but in every other quality it was simply a bush. In the Midrash, the question is asked, "Why would God choose to speak through a lowly bush, instead of something more grand?” It is then suggested that God had originally considered speaking to Moses from a tree. This idea, however, caused all the trees to argue about who was the most worthy of this blessing. The fig tree felt that he was the obvious choice since Moses was only able to navigate the desert with his help. He said, “Moses could see the green leaves of my crown from a distance, and he knew that there would be water wherever I grew. He drank the water near my roots, ate my figs, and rested in my shade. He would not have made it without me.”
The carob tree, however, felt that she was a better choice, because Tzipporah, Moses’ betrothed, had used her fruit to make the wedding bread. It was this bread that Moses used to bless God at the feast. Therefore, she felt, she should be the one that God used to speak to Moses.
In turn, each tree put forth an argument detailing its own magnificence, until finally God turned to a bush nearby and asked, “Why are you so quiet?” The bush answered, “There is no reason for You to choose me, I am small and unimportant and everyone hates me. Animals get caught in my branches; humans prick themselves on my thorns. My branches are too small for fires or houses, and I am even too short to provide shade.”
“But I have chosen you,” replied God, “to show that I am everywhere on Earth, even in the lowly thorn bush.” Then God was revealed to Moses through the “Chosen Bush” and he was sent back to Egypt to free our people.
At Passover, we remember the Exodus as if we were there with our ancestors being saved by God. We remember what God did for us, the “Chosen people.” “My people,” God says, “are like this bush. The Egyptians burn them with hard work and try to destroy them, but they cannot be destroyed.”
Am Yisrael Chai - The Jewish People Lives.
Chag Sameach everyone
President's Message – Karen Westall
During the recent spring breaks, several of our congregational college students chose to volunteer their time rebuilding and restoring communities. Rachel Rochman, daughter of Roger and Iris Rochman, and Simone Schicker, daughter of Fiona and Gerard Schicker, spent their spring breaks in Israel, working with Israeli college students to clean up and restore struggling developments in the Negev and work on other projects throughout Israel. Our daughter, Rebecca, also spent the week with a group of college students in New Orleans, helping to rebuild the lower 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana – lending a hand to these communities devastated by disaster. Rachel’s account of her experience is in this month’s Shofar, and I encourage you to read it. While we are proud that our students chose to spend their spring breaks giving back to communities in need, more importantly, although working in radically different environments, their experiences solidified their strong connection to their heritage and their sense of community.
In Becca’s case, she had a vibrant connection with New Orleans – she was born there, many of our close family live there, whose homes were damaged during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She had an innate understanding of the relevance of rebuilding the community. As the students toiled for hours, doing seemingly mindless work, removing nails from old boards salvaged from the wreckage, so they could be reused, some of the students complained about the futility of the work. “Why bother restoring these old houses? Why not just tear them down and rebuild new ones?” They didn’t understand the significance of the work, the heart-wrenching need for continuity and restoration for families who had lived in those houses for generations. Over the week, as they had the opportunity to interact with the residents, they began to grasp the concept that preserving these old boards so they could be lovingly placed back into the 9th Ward community, was a precious gift. It wasn’t about saving money for new boards; it was about preserving a strong and fiercely proud heritage, stick by stick, and life by life. With that realization, the experience became more than a work project – it was truly Tikkun Olam in its purest sense.
We live in a world of planned obsolescence, where TV’s and computers are routinely replaced rather than repaired. Often I’m asked why we don’t just hire someone to do the Onegs, to set up tables, to serve at B’nai Mitzvah’s, or any of the other menial tasks that volunteers at our synagogue perform. To some extent, it’s about being frugal with our synagogue’s funds, but fundamentally it goes to the core of why we are a congregation. We exist for each other –the acts we perform make our involvement in the synagogue richer and more fulfilling for us. Our relationships are built on shared responsibility, shared joys, shared loss, and shared recipes – for food and for life. So, just as the Lower 9th Ward residents were bound to their heritage and their history by those pieces of wood, and those students honored that heritage by lovingly preserving them for reuse, consider this: What “pieces” of our Temple Sinai life bind you to this congregation?
May you have a wonderful Pesach!
Rabbi Search Committee – David Simon
As most of you know, the Rabbi Search process has moved into the on-site visit stage. Thank you to all the congregants who came out the past few weeks to meet our first two finalists, Rabbis Holly Cohn and Robin Nafshi. It is expected that by early April, one or two more finalists will visit Houston. The Search Committee has been very busy wrapping up all the telephone interviews, completing the much needed due diligence on the candidates, including discussions with references, reviewing written material (sermons, life cycle events, etc) and organizing all the logistical details for the candidates visits. At the time of this printing, the committee will have reviewed in excess of twenty (20) resumes, which includes 2008 HUC graduates, conducted nine (9) telephone interviews, pursued follow-up email interviews with the finalists, completed extensive due diligence on the finalist candidates and organized three on-site visits.
We are hoping to bring the process to completion in April with a formal report and recommendation from the committee to the Board of Trustees and from there to a consent by the members at a congregation wide meeting as stipulated in the by-laws. More details on this process will be sent to each of you in a separate congregation wide email.
Please feel free at anytime to let the Search Committee know your feelings about the candidates. We need your input in order to best access the fit of the candidate with our congregation.
Purim was a huge hit at Temple Sinai. All who attended had great fun eating hamantashen, shouting and booing Haman, using their groggers and making as much noise as they wanted. I heard the costumes were first class of course!
In April there are no Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, which is quite unusual. Our Morning Shabbat service will be Saturday, April 12. Mark your calendars and come join us in prayer and a lovely lunch from the Ritual Committee.
Our wonderful holiday, Passover, is around the corner. I hear recipes being discussed and shopping for the special food is coming up very, very soon.
Many important decisions are being made at Temple Sinai this month. Be a part of the decision making process by casting your vote on April 13th.
I will continue to meet with prospective Rabbis to address your Ritual needs.
Update: We have held 12 parlor meetings to date and have gotten some terrific initial input to this important process. Those who have attended have enjoyed sharing their views and connecting with other congregants.
Quick Hits: We’ve identified some “quick hits” – things that are already being done or can be implemented quickly.
|
Parlor Meeting Suggestion |
“Quick Hits” Implementation |
|
Have babysitting every Friday night and for every special event |
We do currently have babysitting service every Friday night and for most special events |
|
Team up with other congregations for activities |
We are currently teaming up with the JCC, Or Ami, Hadassah, and NCJW for a big Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration, we have run Adult Ed classes with Or Ami, the 8/9th grade Gesher curriculum brings together suburban temple youth, Youth Group regularly meets with youth from other temples around the city |
|
Shofar should be sent hard copy |
The Shofar is available hard copy for pick up in the temple office, or you can request that Cindy mail one to you each month |
|
Ensure a good financial base with more integration across the different functions at Temple |
The Finance Committee has put together a good program with heavy involvement from all functions in the temple. Much more information will be shared at the annual meeting, April 27, 2008 |
|
Institute Chavurot and progressive dinners |
Jean Burg, Marla Hansel and Lori Boin are working on establishing a Social Chavurah. Jean is coordinating first gathering, likely in May or June – stay tuned for more details from Jean |
|
Better recognition of volunteers |
In this month’s Shofar see Karen’s new column “Honorable Menschen” which serves to recognize volunteers for their efforts |
|
Understand how Temple business is done |
Board meetings are open to all – they are held typically the third Tuesday of every month. The minutes from each meeting are in the Temple office and available to all who are interested. |
Next Steps: We will complete parlor meetings shortly and the SinaiVision committee will sort through and identify all key themes. Future meetings/focus groups will be held around key content areas (education, ritual, social, etc). Stay tuned for more info in the coming months!!
What You Can Do Now: One of the suggestions from the parlor meetings was to “understand and use the resources of our members (skills, interests, expertise).” In order to create a more robust data base of this information, please complete the data profile questionnaire which was sent to you with the original invitation to the parlor meeting. By doing so, we’ll get a much better idea of the talents and interests of our Temple Sinai community!! Please mail or hand in to the Temple office by the end of May!!
Spring Break In Israel – Rachel Rochman
This Spring Break I had the experience of a lifetime. I traveled to Israel on JNF’s Alternative Spring Break program. I knew that this trip would not be the traditional party spring break trip, and that I would be doing a lot of work, but I didn’t really think too much of it. The main reason I decided to go was because it seemed like a pretty simple way to go to Israel again. I had no idea how much I would learn about the Negev, Israel, the Jewish people, and myself along the way. I did not know anyone going on the trip, but I was excited to meet new people from around the country with similar interests to mine. I had no idea that some of these people would become some of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life.
Upon arriving in Israel we immediately traveled south to the Negev where we would be doing the bulk of our work. We spent the first half of the week in Dimona, which is a small development town in the Negev. The first day (Monday) we worked on a children's playground at an after-school center to clean up the grounds and make it nicer for the children. We pulled up weeds, picked up rocks and trash, painted murals, and even cleared and paved an area for a stage for the children to perform plays.
We worked together with Ayalim, a group of college students from Beer Sheva who live in Dimona, to help with work such as this, and we got to hang out and spend time with them later that evening. It was a really cool experience to spend time with them just like I would with my friends back home, and realize how much we all had in common.
The next day we traveled to Arad, which is one of the more successful developmental towns in the Negev. We helped to paint an old, dilapidated apartment building where many immigrants live. Though we couldn't always understand the various languages they spoke to us, it was easy to tell how appreciative the residents were of the work we were doing.
The next day we worked on independent farms to help the farmers. The farm that I worked on was owned by a man who was very ill and unable to work. His farm was currently run by another young man who took it upon himself to run the farm with no payment or reward for himself. I helped build fences out of palm tree branches to provide shade and protection from winds. We also helped build mud huts by mixing mud and throwing it against the walls for insulation. It was so much fun to get dirty and have a great time while helping someone out so much. That night we went on a hike through the Negev to experience the beauty of the desert in the darkness and see the millions of stars with no light pollution.
On Thursday we worked in a JNF/KKL forest, clearing the area of rocks and preparing it for planting. This year is the Shmita, the year of no planting, so we could only prepare it for next year. That afternoon, we headed to Jerusalem for the remainder of the week. From the first views of Jerusalem from the bus, I felt so much more emotional and moved than ever before, even though this was my third trip to Israel. Thursday evening we enjoyed a night out on Ben Yehuda Street, which is always a fun time.
Friday morning we helped pave a path in a poor neighborhood in Jerusalem. We were working across the street from a playground where close to 100 young orthodox boys were playing. They were yelling at us " Shmita! Shmita !" because they thought that we were planting, but one of our leaders went over to explain to them what we were doing. It was quite an experience.
Shabbat evening in Jerusalem was absolutely incredible to say the least. We went to the Kotel where everyone could enjoy Shabbat in their own way, though we all ended up singing and dancing in a circle on the plaza and enjoying Shabbat together. On Saturday we walked around Jerusalem, had a beautiful Havdallah service, and then headed back to the airport for a very difficult goodbye to Israel and each other. At the airport we chanted our group’s cheer of “Achim Simcha”, which means “brothers and sisters in joy”, and the emotion felt throughout the room was phenomenal.
This week was one of the most meaningful, inspirational, and identity-forming weeks of my entire life. The past two times I was in Israel, I left thinking that I couldn't wait to go back and visit, but this time I can't wait to go live in Israel. I made the decision that after I graduate next year, before graduate school, I want to go live in Israel for at least a year. This was a decision that I made very quickly but one that I am more than sure of. This week taught me so much about myself as a person, my Jewish identity, and my ever-growing connection with Eretz Yisrael. Life back here just doesn’t seem full enough for me anymore, and I miss Israel terribly. I can't wait to participate on this same trip next year and I hope to recruit more people for this amazing life-changing opportunity! Thank you to everyone for your help and support to allow me this fantastic opportunity.
Religious School News – Rina Mesarwi/Valerie Zuckman
Passover, which commemorates the physical freedom of the Hebrews from slavery at the hands of the Egyptians, in 1476 B.C.E is approaching upon us. There is always a question which I am asked about the number of days we celebrate this holiday in Israel and in other places. The Passover holiday consists of 8 days celebration for most Jews living outside of Israel. Passover in Israel is celebrated for 7 days. In addition, most Reform Jews and some Conservative Jews outside of Israel celebrate Passover for seven days. The reason for the difference in the number of days in the Passover holiday for different Jews has to do with the time differences. In biblical times, when the dates of Passover were determined by the religious leaders in Israel, it was not possible to quickly relay that information across great distances to Jews who lived in areas outside Israel. So an extra day was added to the Passover holiday for Jews who lived outside of Israel to compensate for the differences in time.
For the last 4 years Temple Sinai
Religious School students of 8th & 9th grades have made special Passover
bags to give out to patients at M.D. Anderson. We will continue doing so
this year with financial support from our Brotherhood and Sisterhood.
Our 1st grade students and their parents enjoyed having breakfast with Rabbi
Thalblum, 7th grade students went on a field trip to the Holocaust
Museum, and several parents joined
Cafe Ve'Ougah for an interesting discussion.
We are in the planning stages for a huge celebration for Israel
@ 60. It will take place on May
18, 2008 at the JCC West. This event is for the entire West
Houston Community. Also in Celebrating Israel @60, our 6th, 7th,
8th, &9th grade students and teachers will participate in a city wide Yom
Ha'Atzmaout Parade on April 6th. A bus provided
by Jewish Federation will be available to us. Since these are the only
classes participating, all other classes will be at their regular time.
In April:
6: Community Wide Yom Ha'Atzmaout Parade
9: Post Confirmation
13: Passover Seder for all students grades Pre K-K to 7th.
20&23: No School - Passover
27: Breakfast With The Rabbi - Pre K- K students
and parents
30: Post Confirmation
Passover Second Night Seder is on Sunday night, April 20th. Mark your calendars and come share Passover with your Temple family. Remember Sisterhood members receive a discount. We are looking for help for Seder. Call Joan Rich to offer help.
On April 13th Sisterhood will be going to the Houston Pops symphony to hear Motown’s Greatest Hits.
Mark your calendars - Sisterhood Shabbat is around the corner. Friday, May 16th at 7:00 PM, Sisterhood will participate in services for our annual Sisterhood Shabbat and installation of new officers.
Remember, it’s never too late to join Temple Sinai’s Sisterhood. New memberships are accepted throughout the year. Besides all the fun events, Sisterhood also supports Temple Sinai in many other ways; from organizing many holiday celebrations, to running the gift shop, to helping with B’nai Mitzvah Onegs. If interested in knowing more about joining Sisterhood, call Jill Gentsch.
Invitations
If you have a Special Simcha coming up, we have the latest books available. In addition to our wedding books, Bar and Bat Mitzvah books, and “Save the Date” books, we now have new books which include wedding and baby showers, baby announcements, and parties.
And more... just call Marla Lantz the Sisterhood Invitations Sales Representative.
Senior Sisters – Estelle Weissburg
Senior Sisters will meet in the Temple library on Wednesday, April 9th. Shirl Kamish will provide dessert. We will visit with each other and with Emily Deakins. Please call Estelle Weissburg for more information.
Shalom Yeladim will
meet on Sunday, April 6th. We will meet again in May on the 4th.
|
|
|
|
|
Name_________________________________ |
|
Phone Number _________________________ |
|
|
|
# of adults ________@ $16 each = _________ |
|
# of kids 7-12 ________@ $10 each = _________ |
|
# of kids 4-6 ________@ $7 each = _________ |
|
# of kids 0-3 ________ @ Free *** Sisterhood Member Discount = $2.00 Single & $4.00 Family *** |
|
Check Number ________ Total = _________ |
|
|
|
Please make your checks payable to Temple Sinai Sisterhood, and |
|
return your reservation form and check to the Temple by April 16th |
|
|
|
It takes a lot of effort to make the Seder, and I want to help. |
|
Please call Joan Rich at 281.496.5950. __Yes ___No |
|
|
Spring has arrived, and the guys of the Brotherhood are back to an exciting and productive schedule.
- Several of our congregants attended the Westside High presentation of "The Triangle Factory Fire Project" on February 28th. The production was surprisingly well done and quite educational. Hats off to Barry Hertz for his coordination.
- We will be hosting a Matzoh Brie Breakfast on the Shabbat that falls during Passover again this year. The Breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 26th, in conjunction with an informal "4th Shabbat service." We fed over 25 hungry people at this event last year. Everyone that attended was able to fill their bellies and their souls at the same time. All congregants are strongly encouraged to attend.
- Our quarterly Blood Drive was held on March 2nd. Unfortunately, only 7 units of blood were donated. The next donation will be held sometime at the end of the school year or in the early summer.
- Once again, we will be selling Entertainment Books this fall to use as a fund-raiser. We were quite successful with last year’s drive, and hope to do even better this year.
- We are planning on assisting with the construction of another house for the Habitat for Humanity sometime in April or May. Everyone who participated last year had a wonderful time. It was truly a mitzvah to give back to the community and we are anxious to do so again. Stay tuned for more details.
- A subcommittee of the Brotherhood is working on identifying candidates for financial assistance to attend Greene Family Camp this summer. We plan to give two worthy children each a "scholarship" to help defer the costs.
- The astronaut Mike Foreman will speak to our group at the next Brotherhood meeting on April 13th. Mike is currently up in space on the Endeavor, serving as one of the primary astronauts responsible for the construction of the mechanical arm being installed on the International Space Station. His talk will undoubtedly prove to be interesting and entertaining. All congregants are invited and encouraged to attend.
- We will be attending two Astros games again this year. The Men’s Night Out will occur on Tuesday, May 6th, against the Washington Nationals. Family Day will be on Sunday, June 8th, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Excellent seats have already been reserved, and a good time will be had by all. It’s time to root for the Good Guys!
- At our last meeting, we were treated to an excellent presentation by Channel 13’s investigative reporter, Wayne Dolcefino. Wayne has been serving the Houston area for over 22 years, and has saved our taxpayers many millions of dollars in uncovering wasted money, fraud, and inefficiency. He enlightened us on some of his more interesting projects over the years, and gave his opinions on the state of local politics in and around our city. The discussion was very well attended, and the talk generated a great amount of interest. Many thanks to Irv Berger for all of his coordination.
Sinai Goes To The Astros
What a wonderful time of year this is. Since you’re reading this in the first few days of April, it means that the baseball season began less than a week ago and that means the Astros are still in the pennant race. With all that baseball excitement still in the air here in Houston, now is the time to make plans to join your fellow congregants as Brotherhood again sponsors a day at an Astros game.
In the past four years we have averaged 60 – 70 people so make sure to join us and bring your friends and family.
Sunday, June 8th 1:00 PM vs. St Louis Cardinals
Great seats at only $15.00 each, upper deck behind home plate
Send your check made out to Temple Sinai Brotherhood to Cindy for the number of tickets you want at $15.00 each. Deadline is May 15. Who knows, you might be asked to pitch that day because by then the Astros will probably be looking for more pitching.
Welcome to our newest members:
Douglas Pack and his son Aaron (2nd grade)
DINING CHAVURAH is back!!! Saturday, May 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at the Red Oak Mediterranean Grill at 2004 South Mason Road in Katy. The cost is $25.00 per person (cash only in advance or at the door – no credit cards or checks accepted). Menu will be included with the April dues statements. Adults only. Space is limited, so call Jean Burg to make a reservation or with any questions. Hope to see you there!
The Houston Bar Association is funding a Habitat for Humanity build which is being co-sponsored by Temple Sinai Social Action Committee and Brotherhood. April 18th & 19th will be the weekend that we are participating in the build. We are seeking Temple volunteers to help. Bring your hammer and your brute strength. Details will follow in upcoming emails.
The Scleroderma Foundation is sponsoring “Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma” a 5K walk and 1K kid’s Fun Run on April 27th at Bear Creek Park. Registration begins @ 7 am and the walk begins at 8 am. Online registration is: www.firstgiving.com/scl-bluebonnet. Let’s register, put on our sneakers and support the walk!
The fundraising year has been going well. "Play it Again Sinai" was a huge success with 85 people in attendance and a profit of $9,500. We had a great time, laughed a lot, and enjoyed each other’s company.
The temple directory has been completed since the beginning of January.
If you have not been by temple to pick yours up, please do so. It costs
$1.82 to mail out each directory. This is why each family is asked to
stop by and pick up a copy. Total ad sales were $5,700.
SCRIP sales continue. Sales are slow right now. Don’t forget SCRIP
is always available and a great money maker for the temple.
Total SCRIP profits are approximately $3,000.00.
I estimate after subtracting all spending, the temple has made around $16,200
thus far.
There is one last fundraiser coming up - a homemade candy sale for Mother’s
Day. Sales begin on Sunday, May 4th and continue
throughout the week. More information will be out in April.
This has been a great year and a great experience. Thanks for all your help and
support!
Adult Education – Susan Berger
April is going to be a busy
time for our Adult Ed classes. Our regular classes of Hebrew I, II, and
III will still be in progress as well as our Cantillation class.
Our Rebitzen Sabrina Thalblum, will once again lead us in two more
interactive sessions based on the book, Eat,
Pray, Love. We had a good turnout and a
wonderful session last month and feel confident that we will do as
well with the scheduled sessions for April 6 and 27. Classes
begin at 9:00 am. Even if you were not able to make the first class,
please know that you are welcome to attend the forthcoming classes.
On Wednesday evening, April 30th from 7:00
pm - 8:00 pm, Jonathan Fass, Director of
Jewish Education and Learning for the JCC will present a sample Melton
class on SIN. Jonathan is new to Houston.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY but came to the JCC last summer from Israel
when he took over the Florence Melton Mini School Program. I have taken
several classes with Jonathan. He is a passionate, energetic and extremely
knowledgeable instructor. All adults at Temple Sinai are invited to get a
"Taste of Melton" and see what it is all about. Congregation Or
Ami has been invited to join us for this program. If you have any
questions please feel free to contact me.
Adult Ed began its new exercise program in March. Unfortunately timing
did not seem to work well for our congregants. This class will be put on hold
until next year when it can be better worked into the schedule to accommodate
our congregants.
On Sunday, March 30 our
talented mother/daughter team, also known as Lori and Warner Boin, introduced
us to several new Passover recipes. They taught us how to cook
wonderful Passover foods that they enjoy in their home.
We all received copies of the recipes that
were taught and tasted. After we had a chance to see how the food was
prepared, we did some serious eating. Of course, everyone was
commenting on how good everything tasted and we are looking forward to
preparing the same dishes in our homes this Passover.
May you all enjoy a Happy Passover.
- In memory of Betty Berger, mother of Debbie Simon, from the Detke Family, and the Kessler Family
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
- In honor Rachel Treistman’s Bat Mitzvah from her parents, Esther & Terry Treistman
- In memory of Betty Berger, mother of Debbie Simon, from Sara & Allen, Rachel & Emily Brill
Ruth Lax Mitchell Scholarship Fund
- In memory of Betty Berger, mother of Debbie Simon, from Karen & Tommy Westall
- In memory of Betty Berger, mother of Debbie Simon, from Rachel & Jim Garner, Irene & Brian Binash, Rick Simon, Elissa Sanders, Janet Simon, Dottie & Bob Davis
- In honor of Margaret Crawford’s Bat Mitzvah from her grandmother, Vera Crawford
- Thank you to Debbie & David Simon, for their generous donation to the Religious School for the purchase of new CD players for our B’nai Mitzvah students
- Thank you to Faith Lewis for the donation of a new VCR/DVD player for the temple
TeSTY has a very busy month ahead of them. TeSTY Shabbat will be April 4th at 7:30 pm. with an Oneg following services. On April 5th the Testy Trivia Bowl returns. Come out to the temple and join us in this fun-filled night of trivia and pizza. Come by yourself or bring a team of six. The cost is $5 per person or $28 per team. Prizes will be given out to the winning team. You will see Brotherhood try to defend their title. April 11th-13th is Spring Kallah and TeSTY will be at Greene Family Camp electing the regional board members for next year.
A New feature this month !
In this space we will recognize the “mensches” who have performed some mitzvah for the synagogue or one of its members during the past month. If we inadvertently missed you or another “mensch”, let us know!
*Rabbi Search Committee: David Simon, Diane Adler, Robin Converse, Emily Deakins, Ron Grabois, Sandy Herman, Carol Levin, Angie Matyukov, Ellen Neuwirth-Hirsch, Jackie Schicker, David Schwam, Barbara Shepard, Betty Sichel, Frank Weber, Joyce Word, and their advisors, Stu Levin, Karen Westall, Roger Rochman, and Craig Hoffman
*Nominating Committee: Nancy Reingold, Fiona Schicker, Norm Berlat, Faith Lewis, and Carol Levin
*SinaiVision Committee: Emily Deakins, Maria Korn Michael, Ian Crawford, David Simon, Debbie Simon, Robin Converse, Spencer Marmelstein, Neill Nepo, Howard Neuwirth-Hirsch, Betty Sichel, Karen Westall, and new members: Irv Berger, Michael Brandt, Thea Goldin
*SinaiVision parlor meeting hosts: Paul Michael and Maria Korn Michael, Howard and Ellen Neuwirth-Hirsch, Roger and Iris Rochman, Irv and Susan Berger, David and Debbie Simon, Michael and Stephanie Brandt, Gerry and Fiona Schicker, Kevin and Marla Hansel, Craig and Jodi Hoffman
*Fundraising committee for a wonderful event! Denise Friefeld, Debbie Rothermel, Valerie Zuckman, Marla Hansel, Rachel Garner Stephanie Brandt, Joni Rich, Jean Burg, and all those that donated items, sponsored, and attended. Also a great big thanks to Marvin Katz for coordinating the sale of donated artwork.
*Adult Education: and the Pesach tummies of Temple Sinai want to thank Lori and Warner Boin for the wonderful Passover cooking and tasting class they led on March 30. We would also like to thank Faith Lewis and Rina Mesarwi for trying to work the Temple Sinai walking class into their busy schedules.
*Sisterhood Honorable “Mensch”ens: Eva Marmelstein for coordinating the Purim Oneg; Suzanne Crawford, Kim Miller, Karen Greenspan, Jill Gentsch, Diane Adler, Sabrina Thalblum and Joan Rich for baking the delicious Hamantaschen
Thank you to all our volunteers, who have given time and energy and devotion to the success of our synagogue!
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tues |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
6:45 Heb/Conf.
|
|
7:30 PM TeSTY Shabbat Services
|
6:30 PM TeSTY Trivia Bowl |
|
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
|
9:00 Religious School |
|
4:30 PM Cantillation |
12:00 PM Senior Sisters |
|
7:30 PM Benefactor Award Shabbat |
10:30 AM Services |
|
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
|
9:00 Religious School |
6 PM Conversational Hebrew |
4:30 PM Cantillation |
6:45 Heb/Conf. |
|
7:00 PM Nosh |
1st Night of Passover |
|
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
|
No Religious School |
6 PM Conversational Hebrew |
5:30 PM Hebrew III |
No Hebrew |
|
7:00 PM Nosh |
9:00 AM Brotherhood Matzah Brie Breakfast |
|
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
May 1 |
May 2 |
May 3 |
|
9:00 Religious School |
6 PM Conversational Hebrew |
4:30 PM Cantillation |
6:45 Heb/Conf. |
|
7:30 PM Services |
10:30 AM Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Talmud teaches that it’s a Mitzvah
To join in the Celebrations of our Community.
Erev Shabbat Services @ 7:30 PM Shabbat Services @ 10:30 AM
Megan Miller Bat Mitzvah – May 2 & 3, 2008
Wolf David Spoonemore Bar Mitzvah – May 23 & 24, 2008
Top_Of_Shofar