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www.Temple-Sinai.org March 2008
Rabbi's Message - Rabbi Todd Thalblum mailto:Rabbi@Temple-Sinai.org
Shalom Everyone,
As most of you know I and ten of our members took a trip to Israel this past month. It was a wonderful trip, as I am sure you could tell from the periodic e-mails we sent back to you while we were there. Ten days is a relatively short time to be able to see an entire country. We did our best to visit some of the most interesting sites and blanketed the land as our bus took us in a large circle from Tel Aviv on the coast; then North through Haifa to the northern most border in the Galilee and the Golan Height; next through Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and all the way south to Eilat; before we returned to Tel Aviv for our flight home.
Though I had visited most of the places we went on previous trips to Israel, I was often struck by how much these places had changed, or even the new discoveries that had been made since I was last there. The new excavations which extend the length of the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, underneath the Old City were particularly interesting to see. This site wasn’t even open the last time I was in Israel. Many groups don’t get the opportunity to walk this part of the Wall because it is such a popular attraction, but our guide, Sharon, and tour organizer, ARZA, were able to arrange it for us. Even having seen it with my own eyes, I still find it hard to conceive how large the Temple Mount was (we were told the length of this part of the Wall was the equivalent of 12 football fields), and how an ancient society was able to move such large blocks of limestone without the kinds of machines we use today (one stone alone weighed as much as 6 armored tanks).
I was also incredibly moved by the new Yad Vashem memorial. Having been to this museum on three previous visits to Israel, I really wasn’t looking forward to the day we went to see it. I was unaware, however, that they had totally redesigned the museum a few years ago. It is now a unique and moving experience. The original museum was the product of a generation that had lived through the Holocaust, and the pain of this tragedy was still too real and too close for them. That museum, though moving, was understated in a way that wouldn’t reopen old wounds. The new museum reflects a different generation - one that wants to remember and honor the memory of those who died. One that wants to understand the events that led up to the Holocaust, so that it can be vigilant in preventing it from happening again. One that wants to know its history, know what has been lost, but also wants to look toward the future and imagine what it can be.
The museum is now built so that you walk through a large triangular tube, half of a Star of David, as if the other triangle is missing. You move from the vibrancy of the established, respected, and affluent Jewish communities of the early 20th Century, through the persecutions, horrors, and cruelty of the Nazis, coming out the other side, overlooking the hills of Jerusalem, and the modern, Jewish communities that are the State of Israel. I wish I could describe it better here, but I also wish that you could all experience it for yourselves.
The Holy Land is just that - Holy. It is sacred and beautiful - incredible and emotional. A place that we should see with our own eyes.
Bashana Haba’ah Birushalayim
Next Year in Jerusalem
Thank You to our Lay Leader: Carol Levin
The Rabbi’s Office phone number is 281.496.5950 x13. Please call for an appointment.
Deadline for Shofar – Midnight March 20th to Admin@Temple-Sinai.org. Nothing accepted after that time.
February was such a wonderful month for Ritual. Thank you so much for the great attendance in honor of Rabbi Dennis. We had 32 in attendance on Saturday, our best ever! I would like to thank the Education Committee and Rina for all their effort.
In March our Shabbat Service will be March 8th at 10:30. I look forward to seeing you. We have a Bat Mitzvah in March as well. On March 7 it is Shabbat Across America. It is a time of learning from Pirke Avot.
As Ritual Chair I have been attending many meetings for the Rabbi Search Committee.
President's Message – Karen Westall
This is an exciting time for Temple Sinai – exciting because our congregation is, in the vernacular of a current candidate, fired up. I’ve noticed a new spirit and vitality in our interactions, and people are clearly energized by the activities which are making us reflect on who we are and what we want to be as a community. So what is happening?
Our SinaiVision parlor meetings have started, and congregants are providing valuable insights about their vision of our future. I want to congratulate Emily Deakins, her committee, and all the hosts of the parlor meetings for the vigor with which they have embarked on this project, and to thank the members who have participated thus far – the conversations have been robust and spirited.
The Rabbi Search process is well underway, and the dedicated members of the committee have been meeting nights and weekends to develop a process which will find the right fit for Temple Sinai. A number of telephone interviews have taken place, and several candidates will be visiting our congregation over the next few weeks. This committee is comprised of a microcosm of our congregation – seniors, empty nesters, new members and longtime members, members of key committees, members with small children and grown children, and a representative from our youth group.
I hope you will participate in both these processes as fully as possible, so that you have a voice in the selection of our next spiritual leader and in determining the course we take in programming and services.
I’m confident as I write this that our fundraiser on March 2 will be a success, thanks to Denise Friefeld and her committee, who have done an outstanding job of making a fun and profitable evening for our congregation.
We received several nominations for our Benefactor Award, and I’m pleased to announce that this year’s recipients will be David and Debbie Simon. David and Debbie have been longtime members, and have been and continue to be actively engaged in our congregational life. This is our highest honor bestowed on volunteers who have demonstrated a commitment to our congregation’s health and vitality through their efforts. We will be honoring Debbie and David at our April 11 Shabbat service and at a special Oneg Shabbat following services. Please plan to join us in this celebration of what makes Temple Sinai a special and vital place – its volunteers.
Finally, I’d like to thank Roger Rochman and Rabbi Thalblum for organizing the recent Israel trip. Eleven congregants (including the Rabbi) spent 10 magical days together, standing in a former Syrian bunker on the Golan Heights in gale-force winds, saying prayers together at Yad Vashem, saying the Shecheyanu at Mt. Scopus as we arrived in Jerusalem, celebrating Shabbat services with a Progressive synagogue in Jerusalem, picking pomelos from the Kibbutz Yahel orchard, shopping on Ben Yehuda street, eating chocolate rugula and falafel in the Jewish “shuk” on Friday afternoon in the midst of pre-Shabbat chaos, listening to David Ben Gurion declaring independence at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, marveling at the archeological, historical and religious significance of Beit Shean, Beit Alfa, Masada, Tzippori, and Timna National Parks, experiencing weightlessness in the Dead Sea, and much more.
If we learned anything from our journey, it is that Jews have always had to be flexible, to adapt, and to learn to live with others. The balance we strike between living in the secular world and maintaining our religious integrity and grounding, determines whether we survive as a religion. It is important for all of us, especially here in Houston, to look for ways to preserve our core values - our identity as Jews -so that we do not lose the essence of our Jewishness in a secular world. We do that through study and prayer, supporting the synagogue and other religious institutions, sending our kids to Jewish camp, religious school and NFTY events, participating in social, religious and study opportunities with our fellow congregants and by continuing to grow in our love for Judaism.
B’Shalom,
Rabbi Search Committee – David Simon
The Search Committee has been extremely busy. In addition to forming 4 sub-committees to develop the tools and processes to be used during the various stages of the search program, we have completed detailed reviews of candidate resumes and telephone interviews of the top prospects. On-site visits by the finalists are expected in March and further communication will be provided in upcoming emails. The congregation will have the opportunity to meet each of the finalists during their planned 24-36 hour visits to the temple and the area. Our host sub-committee headed by Barb Shepard, is putting the finishing touches to the visit schedule that will include meetings with several of our standing committees (Ritual and Education) as well as interaction with our youth, staff and the Search Committee.
My thanks to the sub-committee chairs – David Schwam, Ellen Neuwirth-Hirsch, Stu Levin and Barb Shepard for their hard work in developing our communications protocols, the compilation of inputs from congregants leading to the development of our script for the phone interviews, and the process for conducting the actual interviews.
The current SinaiVision parlor meetings will continue to provide our committee with valuable input that will guide us in selecting a new Rabbi that will lead us into the future.
Stay tuned for more to come!
SinaiVision Update – Emily Deakins
In February, we began a series of parlor meetings to engage the entire congregation in a discussion about priorities and needs for the future. Every congregant has been, or will be, invited to attend one of the meetings which are set to be completed in the month of March. The meetings are designed to gather initial input, identifying major themes for our programs and activities for the coming years. In the coming months, there will be additional opportunities for discussion. Thank you to those who have already attended parlor meetings held in February, and many thanks to those who have volunteered their homes for the parlor meetings: Maria Korn Michael & Paul Michael, Howard & Ellen Neuwirth-Hirsch, Roger & Iris Rochman, Susan & Irv Berger, David & Debbie Simon, Michael & Stephanie Brandt, Fiona & Gerry Schicker, Craig & Jodi Hoffman, Kevin & Marla Hansel.
Each household has also received (along with the invitation) a data profile to complete. Even if you have recently completed or updated the data profile, please complete it again, as the profile has been expanded to include additional information which will help us meet the needs of the congregation. Please hand in the completed profile at the parlor meeting or directly to the Temple office.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Emily Deakins at SinaiVision@temple-sinai.org or by phone at 281-496-5950.
Religious School News – Rina Mesarwi/Valerie Zuckman
The shortest month of the year was packed with activities at Temple Sinai and the Religious School.
We started with the Houston Gesher Shabbaton. Students
of the 8th & 9th grades from Beth El, Beth Shalom of the Woodlands, Jewish
Community North, Temple Beth Tikvah, and Temple Sinai all participated.
Rabbi Thalblum conducted the service, with Jackie Schicker and Rebecca Waronoff
reading Torah. The theme for the day was Israel @ 60. We had
Israeli speakers who engaged the students in many activities and all enjoyed
Israeli food for lunch. Thank you to all the parents who helped with this
event: Fiona Schicker and Valerie Zuckman who spent the entire day at the Temple,
and Neill Nepo for providing us with delicious ice cream bars.
Many of our congregants took advantage of our Scholar in Residence, Rabbi
Geoffrey Dennis. They prayed and listened to him at Friday night services and
studied with him at Saturday’s lunch and learn. The program was funded by the
Jewish Federation and the Bureau of Jewish Education. The following day most
all of our teachers took classes at Yom Limmud, or day of learning at
Congregation Emanu El.
All the students in Pre K-2nd grade made beautiful mezuzahs with Rabbi Goldstein and our 2nd and 3rd grade students and their parents shared time with Rabbi Thalblum during “Breakfast with the Rabbi”.
We continue to take orders for The Promise Haggadah. Please send your
form to school as soon as you can. If you need a form, please call Rina at
281-496-5950.
On Saturday March 8th at 6:30PM Sisterhood and Brotherhood will be hosting a game night. Come out and play your favorite game and enjoy good eats provided by both Brotherhood and Sisterhood.
On Thursday, March 20th we will be celebrating Purim. Sisterhood will be sponsoring the Oneg so come out for some delicious hammentashen.
Passover is just around the corner and Sisterhood will be having its annual women’s Seder on Tuesday, April 1st. Admission is your favorite Passover recipe and a sample to share. A cookbook of all recipes will be distributed so plan on joining us.
Passover Second Night Seder is on Sunday night, April 20th. Mark your calendars and come share Passover with your Temple family.
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 you are interested in knowing more about joining Sisterhood, call Jill Gentsch.
Thank you to Susan Markowitz for her donation in honor of Susan & Irving Berger for the great job they did on the Murder Mystery Dinner
Thank you to the following who helped at Rachel Treistman's Bat Mitzvah Oneg:
Lisa Whipple, Mindy Mueller, Emily Deakins and Ruth Stevelman.
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.
Shalom Yeladim will meet on Sunday, March
9th. We will meet again in April on the 6th.
Senior Sisters – Estelle Weissburg
Senior Sisters will meet Wednesday, March 12th at 12:00 noon at the temple. Faith Lewis is hostess and the topic will be Israel. Please call Estelle for more information.
Ma-Arav Hadassah Cordially Invites You
To Participate In …
Our 7th Annual
Mah Jongg Tournament and Luncheon
Sunday, March 23, 2008
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
At Temple Sinai
13875 Brimhurst
Sign in begins at 9:00 am. Cost: $30 per person includes 3 rounds of play, a catered dairy lunch, and lots of great prizes!! For further info, call Elissa Sanders 281-558-7082. Reservation deadline is March 16th.
Don’t forget to bring your 2007 Mah Jongg Cards!!
Due to the recent trip to Israel, things have been relatively quiet with the Brotherhood. However, there are several key events that are coming up in the near future.
- Wayne Dolcefino, the investigative reporter for Channel 13, will speak at the next Brotherhood meeting on March 2nd. A light breakfast will be provided, and, as always, attendance is open to the entire congregation.
- Also on March 2nd, we will be holding the next of our quarterly Blood Drives. We donated 15 units of blood in December, but received credit for all 18 people that were interviewed. We hope to increase the numbers each time we host this important event.
- Planning is underway for the annual Temple Sinai outing to an Astros game in June and the Men’s Night Out in May. Future plans also include the construction of another house for the Habitat for Humanity, the donation of funds to two of our students for attendance at Greene Family Camp, and the construction of a Yarmulka and Tallit container at the entrance to the sanctuary.
Testy has two great programs this month. On Saturday, March 15th the annual Testy Trivia Bowl will take place at the temple and will include a nice havdallah service. Testy is looking forward to taking back the title, which is currently held by the Brotherhood. On Saturday March 29th laser tag is back. Testy will be hosting this event for all current and prospective members in grades 7-12. If any parents would like to volunteer to help out that evening please contact Andrew Rochman.
Welcome to our newest members:
Bernard & Faye Newbauer
Jonathan & Kristen Rosenberg and family
Over the last two months Social Action spearheaded the collection of blankets and jackets to donate to the homeless veterans. On Feb 10th we concluded that effort and donated approximately 8 - 10 large bags. Thank you to all who so generously responded to our request for these items.
In conjunction with this Veterans project, we visited hospitalized veterans at the Houston Veteran’s Administration Hospital, which coincided with National Hospitalized Veterans Week. During our visit we distributed handmade cards and letters of thanks along with home-baked goodies in valentine bags that said "we love our vets" from Temple Sinai. Thank you to all religious school students and families who sent in letters. Kudos & thanks to our volunteer bakers - Karen Kessler, Maria Korn Michael and Lisa Whipple for your “sweet treats” that delighted the bedridden patients. Our visiting team consisted of thirteen people: three youth group members, two b'nai mitzvah students and 8 adults. Thanks for donating your time to this worthwhile venture. The visitors were- Maria Korn Michael, Miriam Wolod, Karen Kessler, Michael Brandt, Matthew Brandt, Esther Treistman, Rachel Treistman, Jonathan Gentsch, Sean Schicker, Lisa, David & Josh Whipple and Jill Gentsch. Many thanks to all who contributed to the success of this campaign.
In April, 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!
Adult Education – Susan Berger
What a wonderful learning experience for all on February 27,
when our own Oskar Gonzalez presented "Jews in the Marines". No
matter where he was, boot camp, Baghdad or on American soil, he never forgot
that he was a Jew and was always proud of his Judaism. Oskar, a big thank
you for sharing such a life altering experience with us.
From 9:00am - 10:30am on March 9 Sabrina Thalblum will lead us in another
interactive class based on the book, Eat, Prayer, Love.
Please read the second section. Even if you were not able to attend the
first session please feel free to attend this class.
On March 30, at 1:00 pm Lori and Warner Boin will treat us to some delicious
Passover foods and recipes. The Boin women will prove that food does not have
to taste like dry cardboard during Passover. If your child is interested
in cooking please know that he/she is welcome at this class. There is a
$4.00 per person charge for this class. RSVP to Cindy by March 27.
With the help of our Education Director, Rina Mesarwi, Adult Education is pleased
to offer a new class. This class is to help encourage our friends and
ourselves to "get healthy." On Friday, March 7 at 10:00 am we will meet at the Temple and exercise together. Our program will consist
of simple walking to music. This is a no pressure class and you do
not need any special clothes (just sneakers). You can do as much or as
little as you are able. As our Temple Sinai walks into a new phase of
growth, our temple family is encouraged to walk along.
As you can see, we have not given a name to this class. We want
YOU to name it. This class is all about YOU. Making new
friends, getting together with old friends and working together to pull it
all together and get healthy. Please email your suggestions to Cindy at admin@temple-sinai.org by March
6. A prize will be given to the person that comes up with the winning
name.
This worthwhile class is free of charge. Looking forward to seeing you on
March 7.
Ruth Lax Mitchell Scholarship Fund
- In memory of Betty Berger, mother of Debbie Simon, from Gil & Betty Sichel
- In memory of Betty Berger, mother of Debbie Simon, from Faith Lewis, Craig & Cathi Miller, Susan & Irv Berger, and Dr. & Mrs. Warren M. Jacobs
- Thank you to the Berlat Family for their donation to our Religious School