Anniversary Thanks	Bar Mitzvah	Brotherhood
Calendar	Funds	Membership
President’s_Message	Rabbi	Rabbi Search
Religious_School	Ritual	Senior Sisters
Shalom from Sinai	Sisterhood	Social Action

www.Temple-Sinai.org           January 2008

Rabbi's Message - Rabbi Todd Thalblum   mailto:Rabbi@Temple-Sinai.org

By now, you should have all received my letter detailing the difficult decision my family and I have made.  Thank you so much to those of you who have stopped by or called to offer support and good wishes.  I want all of you to know that being a part of this community has been an incredible experience.  As I move on to another congregation, I know that I will take what I have learned from all of you with me.  

At this time, in our weekly Torah reading, we have just finished the stories of our ancestors from the Book of Genesis, and are about to begin the Book of Exodus anew.  Change is in the air, for the Israelites.  The challenges that they will face are nothing like their past trials, but God was with them every step of the way.  As you begin a new chapter in this congregation’s story, may you also feel God’s presence with you and be open to the path it leads.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.  May we be blessed on the journey that lies ahead.

Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik.

Thank You to our Lay Leaders:  Diane Adler & Howard Neuwirth-Hirsch

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Ritual – Carol Levin

Happy New Year!  We will have our Saturday morning Shabbat service and luncheon on January 12^th.  Last month our attendance was twenty-two, the best yet.  Start the New Year right and join us.

The service for Betty & Gil Sichel was warm and very meaningful.  Thank you to all who attended.

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President's Message – Karen Westall

Temple Sinai is experiencing a time of change, and with change comes uncertainty, but also great possibilities.  On Sunday, January 27, 2008, at 12:30 pm, we will be having a congregational meeting, to update you on a number of ongoing initiatives, but primarily to engage you in a dialogue to determine the direction of our congregation for the next few years.  The meeting has several agenda items relating to important decisions we will need to make as a congregation which will set our priorities for the next few years.

First, we are honored that Rabbi Brian Zimmerman, Director of the Southwest Council of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) will be visiting.   He will talk to us about the resources available to our congregation as a member of URJ, and the assistance he and the URJ can provide us, particularly during this time of transition.

As promised at the Annual Meeting last spring, members of the Finance Committee have spent the last seven months reviewing our finances, instituting a number of processes to streamline and clarify our budget and our internal controls, and preparing a revised budget.  Also, the Finance Committee has been working on a new business plan for the congregation.  Craig Hoffman and the members of the committee will present the work done to date and answer any questions you may have.

Rabbi Thalblum’s decision to leave the congregation at the end of June has led to the formation of a Rabbi Search committee, to be chaired by David Simon.  The process will involve many congregants, as we want it to be as inclusive as possible.  Included in this newsletter is a letter from David, outlining the process to begin the search for our next Rabbi.  You will see updates from David and his committee each month as the search progresses.

Finally, as we look to the future, Emily Deakins, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, will share exciting plans for seeking input and feedback regarding areas of critical importance and passionate interest of our congregants.  The project, which has been given the name “SinaiVision – Navigating Our Future”, will set the stage for the direction our congregation takes over the next few years.  We have a unique and exciting opportunity over the next 6-8 months to build on what we have accomplished in our short 29-year history, to create a new vision for Temple Sinai.

Please plan to attend this important meeting, as your involvement is crucial to our success, and we want all our congregants to have a voice.  Babysitting will be available, and a light lunch will be served beginning at noon.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Happy New Year to you and your families!

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Rabbi Search Committee – David Simon, Chair, Rabbi Search Committee

Work has begun on the selection of our new Rabbi.  Expect to hear more as we progress through the process over the next several months.

January will be focused on two key events:

1. We will formally submit our application to the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis).   This application is quite extensive and provides potential candidates with a detailed understanding of who we are as Temple Sinai.   A core group of future Search Committee members/Board members will work on preparing the application, along with guidance from Rabbi Zimmerman in our regional URJ office.

 

2. The Search Committee will officially be formed and begin work.   The committee will consist of roughly 10-15 congregants covering a broad demographic background of our congregation.   The majority of the members will not be Board members, although there certainly will be some representing key areas such as the Executive Committee (President) and Ritual.   We will be looking for possible committee members who are willing to commit time in the form of meetings and interviews over a 2-4 month period.   We expect to announce the members by the January 27 congregational meeting.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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Religious School News - Rina Mesarwi/Valerie Zuckman 

In December, Temple Sinai applied for a grant from the Legacy Heritage Innovation Grant.  The purpose of this grant, which we called "Khillat Moadim", or a Community of Shabbat and Holidays celebrations, is to increase family participation of ritual observance in the home and at Temple, to deepen and enrich our understanding and appreciation of Jewish Tradition within a modern context and to increase congregational connections.  We had a short time to apply, but the enthusiasm and commitment of so many people made it possible for all of us work on it.  Thank you to Rabbi Thalblum, Karen Westall, Valerie Zuckman, Carol Levin, Susan Berger, Robin Converse, Betty Sichel, Emily Deakins, Michael Brandt, Barbara Sheppard, and Jill Gentsch, and all the Education Committee members. 

Our Chanukah Celebration was great fun for all.  Students, parents and grandparents all  participated and enjoyed the program which included a play by the 6th & 7th graders, a puppet show by Nitzana Lazerus, art work, and jelly filled donuts for all.

The 5th grade enjoyed Breakfast with the Rabbi.  Rabbi Goldstein of Chabbad taught students and parents the process of making olive oil, and Rabbi Thalblum did a study session as well.  Parents are always welcome to join their children for any special program at school. 

We continue having our Sunday morning Cafe Ve'Ougah program.  If you have a special topic in mind, please let us know.

On January 20, 2008 we will celebrate Tu Bi'Shevat with what has become a tradition at Temple Sinai, a Seder with lunch to follow.  Please RSVP as soon as possible. 
 
In January
    No School until Wednesday January 9
    13 Breakfast With The Rabbi - 4th grade and parents
         Tallit Workshop  6th grade, parents are welcomed
    20  Tu Bi'Shevat  entire Temple Community
    27  Cafe Ve'Ougah
          GFC Speaker
       
Have a Healthy and Happy New Year.

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Membership – Diane Adler

 

We would like to invite everyone in the congregation to join us in a special celebration as we welcome and recognize our newest members on Friday January 11, 2008 at 7:30.  Please come and help us be the warm and welcoming congregation that we are.

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Sisterhood – Iris Rochman

January will be a busy month for Sisterhood.  Fortunately, it is not too late to pay your Sisterhood dues so you can attend our 2008 membership luncheon on Sunday, January 13^th at 12:30 pm.  This event will be catered by Lenny’s Sub Shop and features Linda Barrett, a Temple member and author, who will be reading from her recent novel “The Soldier and the Rose”.  Copies of her book will be available for purchase and Linda will be happy to autograph them.  Please RSVP to Cindy in the office or email Jill Gentsch.

Attention all you mystery buffs!!!!   Sisterhood’s 4^th Annual Mystery Dinner will take place on Saturday, January 26^th.  Prepare now, get out your magnifying glasses and your thinking caps.  Plan to join us for a fun filled evening of clues, misdirection, good food and good company.  See your email for further details.

Invitations

If you have a Special Simcha coming up, we have the latest books available:

Wedding Books           Bar and Bat Mitzvah Books                  Save the Date Books

And more... just call Marla Lantz the Sisterhood Invitations Sales Representative.

Thank you to the following for helping at Temple's B'nai Mitzvah Onegs:

Robert Levy's Bar Mitzvah:  Thelma Ginsburg, Debbie Detke

Abe Rothermel's Bar Mitzvah:  Cheryll Landis-Gerber, Angie Matyukov, Debbie Cervera, and Judith Bluestein-Levin.

Shalom Yeladim will meet on Sunday, January 20^th.  We will not meet In February, but will meet again in March on the 9^th.

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Senior Sisters – Estelle Weissburg

Senior Sisters will meet in the library at 12:00 noon on January 9^th where we will continue the discussion of "men who influenced you".  Our hostess will be Nancy Berlat.  Please call Estelle Weissburg for more information.

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Brotherhood – Marc Boin

The Brotherhood has been active in the past month, most notably by acts of Fellowship and Social Action.  The following highlight some of our more prominent activities.

• The quarterly Blood Drive occurred on December 2^nd.  Members of the congregation came together to donate a total of 15 units of blood that morning.  An additional three disqualified donors gave us credit for 18 people.  Thanks to Norm Berlat for his coordination, and thanks to every congregant that participated.
• Also on December 2^nd, we hosted a collection site for the annual Schlep Sunday campaign to donate clothing, toys, and household items to Houston’s needy population.  By the end of the morning, we had completely filled up an oversized U-Haul van.  The items were delivered to the Star of Hope less than 24 hours later, and helped to ensure that many of Houston’s homeless had a much brighter holiday season.  Many thanks to Ralph Gardner for his untiring efforts.
• Our fundraising drive of selling Entertainment Books has finally wound down.  The campaign was a rousing success, with our group selling over 140 books to the local community.  Kudos go out to Ralph Gardner and Marc Boin for selling the most books overall.
• The profit generated from the Entertainment Books is already being put to good use.  The Brotherhood assisted the Social Action Committee by donating a significant sum of money to help an "adopted" family for Christmas.  In addition, we unanimously agreed to support one of our own congregant’s families for Chanukah this year.  Each gift was highly appreciated.
• At the request of the Education Director, we are working on purchasing a 72" round folding table to donate to the congregation.  The table will be utilized for a variety of purposes whenever a small group needs to meet in such a manner that they want to face one another.  Hopefully, the table will be on-hand within the month.
• We will be hosting our annual Spaghetti Dinner prior to services on January 11^th.  Fortunately, this coincides with the New Member Shabbat, so we are hoping not only to have a good showing by our congregants, but also to present a favorable image for any prospective new members.  Anyone interested in a delicious meal prior to an enjoyable Shabbat service is encouraged to join us.  Details will follow by E-mail.
• Future activities are also being planned.  We are looking forward to lectures from David Gold on storm chasing, Wayne Dolcefino on investigative reporting, and Michael Foreman on his upcoming shuttle mission.  We are making plans to attend a local performance of the play, "The Triangle Factory Fire", in late February.  The play tells the story of the textile factory fire of 1911 which killed nearly 150 workers, most of which were Jewish immigrants.  Additionally, plans are underway to participate in another Habitat for Humanity project, and we are considering making a day-trip to a casino in Louisiana.  Stay tuned!

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Social Action – Jill Gentsch & Matthew Brandt

Thank you for supporting our holiday project with Westside Homeless Partnership (WHP).  We hurriedly solicited donations of money and stuffed animals and you promptly and generously responded.  Your donations enabled us to brighten the holiday for many, including our adopted family, consisting of a single mother and her four children.  Your generosity allowed us to make their holiday special.

We also hosted a holiday table at the WHP party where we offered coloring, assembled edible dreidels, played dreidel and handed out chocolate gelt.  We re-located all of your plush toys to a new family, allowing each child who attended the event to take one home.  Many thanks to TeSTY, & all the donors and volunteers, who gave money, shopped, wrapped and/or attended the party.  Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

In January, we are focusing on veterans.  We are asking each family to write a thank-you note to a veteran.  These letters will be collected and distributed to veterans at the Houston Veteran’s Administration Hospital along with jackets and blankets, which we are collecting.  Watch your email for more details about this upcoming project and visit.  Contact Lisa Whipple or Maria Korn Michael if you’d like to participate in this activity.

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Ruth Lax Mitchell Scholarship Fund

• In honor of Betty & Gil Sichel’s 56^th wedding anniversary from Suzanne & Ian Crawford

Caring Committee Fund

• Thanks to the Caring Committee, especially Robin, Carol & Rina, and Rabbi Thalblum, for visiting my mother, Vivian Coggan, during her stay in the hospital from Harvey Merfish

Todd Levin Endowment Fund

• In memory of Carol & Stu Levin’s son, Todd, from the Deakins Family

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Shalom From Sinai

• Congratulations on Betty & Gil Sichel’s 56^th wedding anniversary from Susan & Irv Berger, and the Rich Family

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Temple Sinai – January 2008

 

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