CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
“A Family of Families”
January 2015
Friday, January 2 Shabbat Service @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 3 Shabbat Service @ 9:00 am Friday, January 9 Shabbat Service @ 6:00 pm *Family Dinner to Follow
Saturday, January 10 Shabbat Service @ 9:00 am Friday, January 16 Shabbat Service @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 17 Shabbat Service @ 9:00 am Friday, January 23 Shabbat Service @ 6:00 pm *Note early service time
Saturday, January 24 Shabbat Service @ 9:00 am Friday, January 30 Shabbat Service @ 7:30 pm Saturday, January 31 Shabbat Service @ 9:00 am
CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES >>
Torah Study Saturdays @ 11:00am
Please come and join us
In the musical “My Fair Lady” Professor Henry Higgins argues that he can tell everything he needs to know about a person as soon they open their mouth. In much the same way, it is possible to tell a great deal about a Jewish group as soon as you open their prayerbook.
In January we will start using our new prayer book 'Mishkan T'filah' the most recent prayer book of the Reform Movement and this prayerbook will say a lot about us. As a congregation that embraces both Reform and Conservative Judaism, that celebrates a pluralistic model of Jewish life and is committed to be being welcoming and inclusive, this new prayerbook reflects these values and allows us to express them more effectively in our varying worship styles. As the Reform movement has embraced more traditional practices, so too has the prayerbook changed to reflect more traditional aspects of the prayer service. Therefore Mishkan T’filah can be used (with some supplementary material) for all our services, better reflecting our reality as a congregation in which multiple expressions of Jewish belief and practice can sit side by side as part of one congregational family.
Like every other Reform prayerbook before, Mishkan T’filah provides a variety of options, not only reflecting different levels of traditionalism but also a variety of different philosophies and approaches to prayer, from the mystical to the psychological. In previous prayerbooks this was achieved by having multiple services. The big blue Gates of Prayer had no less than 10 Friday night services (compared to the grey book’s more manageable 3!). Mishkan takes an innovative approach to this by including multiple options in one service, with the Hebrew and translation on one side of the page spread and interpretive readings on the other, each of which can be chosen to reflect that prayer in the service. This innovation allows for many different options and choices of prayer within one service and allows for each page of the prayerbook to be used to teach about the prayers, with the interpretive readings used as commentaries on the prayers. In fact I will be doing just that with several of the core prayers in the course of the Friday night services in January, as we use the new book to gain insight into the meaning of the prayers we are praying.
However, it is also true that this innovative format has challenges. We are used to moving in a straightforward fashion through our services but praying from Mishkan works a little differently and will require a learning curve for it to become as comfortable as our current prayerbooks. With that in mind, all our services in January will be ‘learning services’, focused not just on prayer, but on learning about prayer and particularly how to pray from this new prayerbook.
Please join us at services in January as we explore prayer and learn to pray in ways new and old from Mishkan T’filah, our new prayerbook.
Rabbi Emanuel
RABBI’S MESSAGE
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CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
4402 Saratoga Blvd Telephone:361.857.8181
Fax: 361.857.8227 Email: [email protected]
Website: bethisraelcc.com
Rabbis Ilan Emanuel, Rabbi
Rabbi Kenneth Roseman, Rabbi Emeritus
Staff Debbie Bustillo, Office Administrator Jana Zager, Religious School Director
Leslie Green, Shabbat Dinner Coordinator
CBI Executive Board President Suzy Hilliard
First Vice President Chris Adler
Second Vice President Mike Hiatt
Secretary Chris Kuehn
Treasurer Robin Adams
Past President Jim Gold
Sisterhood Representative Susan Martin
Adult Education Chair David Jacobs
Cemetery Chairs Robert Adler
Carl Kuehn,
Gary Blum
Ritual Committee Chairs Andrew Sheinberg Jim Gold
Membership Committee Chair Susan Martin
Social Action Committee Chair Jim Gold
Dues Committee Chairs Ann Engel
Leslie Kane
Building Chair Bill Adams
Grounds Chair Rikki Schmitchel
Fine Arts Chair Laurie Mintz
Committee Chairs
January….the time of new beginnings. We are now past the Fall and Winter Holidays and Food Fest, and have acclimated our new Rabbi to his new congregation. Now we turn our thoughts to other congregational concerns. We have organized a new committee to tackle outreach and in reach. We are working with a model first designed by Andy Taubman as a means of approaching the issues. Thanks to our committee who has stepped up enthusiastically to this challenge. We are also tackling some Bylaws clarifications spearheaded by Brian Honigbaum. In addition, I am looking hopefully forward, as we come out of one of the more difficult periods in which we have had more than our share of funerals. I hate that there has been so much sadness for our member families, but feel comforted by the support and love shown to each family touched by death. Rabbi Emanuel is planning a variety of educational programs for the remainder of the year and hope you will give several of them a try. A mitzvah day is also being considered and discussed. No matter where your interests lie, we hope you can find something special here at Congregation Beth Israel. Happy 2015!!
Suzy Hilliard President, Congregation Beth Israel
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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We send greetings for a Healthy and Happy New Year!
We look forward to spending fun times with our “Sisters” in 2015!
Brittany, Chris & Susan
CBI Sisterhood
FROM THE HONIGBAUM FAMILY They say that you learn who your true friends are not when mes are good, but when mes are bad. We have always known how wonderful the Jewish community is here in Corpus Chris but it was never more evident than during the last few months. Words can never express our thanks to all of you for the outpouring of love, prayers, food and comfort during Natalie’s illness. The support given to our family during this horrible me was one of the main reasons we all were able to make it through. Again, we can never thank each and every one of you enough for everything you did for our family.
Brian, Natalie, Mia and Molly Honigbaum
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Happy New Year CBI Family!! Our Chanukah Family Shabbat Dinner brought a record turnout! I need to give a special thanks to Inna Rogoff and Vicky Dvorkin, who helped in the potato latke preparation this year! You gals are the bomb!! I say the same thing every year, but 2014 seemed to zip by extremely fast! I hope you all had a fun holiday season and got to spend time with those you love – that's what it's all about! As we start a new year, I am looking forward to seeing more families at Shabbat services and at our upcoming dinners this year. If you have some free time to help me in the kitchen, just give me a call and join in the cooking fun! Our next Family Shabbat Dinner will be on Friday, January 9th at 6pm with dinner to follow. Take a break from cooking and let's bring in Shabbat together. Remember to bring a yummy dessert to share and we'll do the rest!!! Until we break bread together again, may you and your families be blessed with a Happy, Healthy, Joyous and Prosperous New Year ... Leslie Green Family Shabbat Dinner Coordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: (804) 334-5662
Family Corner
$$$ FUND FACTS $$$ As Treasurer of CBI, here is the featured fund for this month, with information regarding the purpose of the fund. Please keep our funds in mind as you make contributions to our congregation and earmark your payment if you want your contribution made to a particular fund.
Shor Family Learning Fund This fund was established to provide educational opportunities for adult, Jewish learners and to underwrite the cost of special programs, speakers, and/or field trips. Disbursement of monies from this fund shall be authorized by the Religious School Administrator, our Rabbi, and a member of the religious school committee.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself or Suzy Hilliard.
Robin Adams, Treasurer
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CHANUKAH 2014
Thank you Dr. Gary Blum for the pictures!
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Please join us at 7:00 PM in the Racusin Chapel on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 as we continue our very popular 92Y lecture series.
Thomas L. Friedman in Conversation with Dov Seidman: HOW to Repair Our World?
Join us for a conversations on HOW individuals, nations and business must urgently change how they behave, lead and operate in a world that is more interconnected and interdependent. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this free program.
92Y SERIES CONTINUES ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2015
Coming in February 2015: INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
Whether you are exploring Judaism for the first time or want to refresh your understanding of the fundamentals of Jewish tradition and belief, this is the class for you! We will explore the foundations of Jewish history, thought, and practice in four classes accessible to all who wish to learn. Open to the public.
2:00 pm with light refreshments
Sunday, February 8: Jewish History: The Bible and the Rabbis Sunday, February 15: Jewish History: Medieval and Modern Sunday, February 22: The Mitzvot: Jewish Law and Practice Sunday, March 1: The Festivals
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This event is made possible by: Racasin Jewish Outreach Fund
Monday, January 19th Lecture at 7:00 pm
Refreshments and
book signing to follow.
Jewish Bible Scholar to speak at Congregation Beth Israel
4402 Saratoga Blvd. Corpus Christi, TX
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December was a short and quiet month for Religious School. Camp Young Judea visited for a presentation to show our children how fun summer camp can be! Please remember that if you are interested in sending your child(ren) to Jewish sleep away camp, whether it be CYJ or Greene Family Camp here in Texas or one of the many other Jewish camps in the US, there are many opportunities to help with funding. Mark your calendars: There is no Sunday School on December 21st or December 28th for Winter Break. Sessions will resume on January 4th. Have a restful vacation!
Dates to Remember: Greene Family Retreat – March 6-8, 2015 www.greene.urjcamps.org/yearround
Camp Young Judea – www.cyjtexas.org/retreats Spring Camp (Kids Only) – March 6-8, 2015 and Passover Camp – April 9-12, 2015
Corpus Christi Community Religious School Jana Zager, Director
Religious Education Classes
Hebrew School 9:15 am - 10:15 am
Sunday School 10:30am - 12:30pm
January 4, 11, & 25
BRANDEIS
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 9:30 am: meet at the JCC
Craft Experience Visit to FIRE IT Ceramics Prices according to craft piece chosen
Dutch Treat Lunch follows at the Phoenix at 337 Allister Port Aransas
$10.00
RSVP 991-6152 or [email protected]
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Jan 1 Office Closed
2 Shabbat Service
@7:30 pm
3 Shabbat Service 9:00 am
4
Hebrew School 9:15‐10:15 Sunday School 10:30‐12:30
5
6
7
8 9 Family Shabbat Service @ 6:00 pm Family Dinner to Follow
10 Shabbat Service 9:00 am
11 Hebrew School 9:15‐10:15 Sunday School 10:30‐12:30
12
13 ~CBI Board mee ng at 7pm
14 @7pm Thomas Freedman
15
16 Shabbat Service
@7:30 pm
17 Shabbat Service 9:00 am
18
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
19 MLK Day ~Dr. Joel Hoffman Lecture @ 7pm
20
21
22
23 Shabbat Service
@ 6:00 pm *note early Service
24 Shabbat Service 9:00 am
25 Hebrew School 9:15‐10:15 Sunday School 10:30‐12:30
26
27
28
29
30 Shabbat Service
@7:30 pm
31 Shabbat Service 9:00 am
January 2015
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PERPETUAL YAHRZEITS Sabbath of January 2nd *Scott Applebaum Harold Bloom Werner Buchmann John Carrillo, Sr. *Samuel Chitrit/Skala *Frank Davis *Henry Davis *Anne Dawson *Vivian Groner *Abe Heifetz *Abe Heifetz *David Isenberg *Libby Isenberg *Jennie Karren *Milton Kovner *Sarah Kurzner *Rachel Levinson Forest Levy *Fannie Maniloff Rosalyn Opinsky *Gertrude Pashkoff *Fannie Pasternak Harold Perlman Marvin Rubin *Nathan Simon Horace Simon Jr. Nathan Stillman *Herbert Train
Sabbath of January 9th *Max Abrams *Myron Appel *Hannah Bobys *Edith Braslau *Phil Chivian Charles Davis Judith Goldsmith *Roy Ilowit Sam Kane Rita Karp *Bernard Kovner Lucille Levy William Rosenkrantz
Frida Sharfman *Simon Weil *Abraham Wilson *Pesach Zelinsky
Sabath of January 16th *I. Alexander *Frances Barnes *Mitchell Daum Merrell Gleimer *Bernice Goldman *Julius Goodman *Reva Horn *Joseph Jessel *Bernard Kane *Selma Laser *Carrie Lichtenstein *Malka Lichtenstein *Anna Maltz *Charles Maltz *Ralph Mange *David Mayerson *Abe Nebrat Morris Pearl Sam Roosth *Al Rosenthal *Ida Silverman *Rose Vinar Philip Wallock *Jennie Wiener *Stephen Wolfson
Sabbath January 23rd *Sarah Adler *Michael Baum *Hilda Blum Fannie Charney *Max Chase *Adrian Danziger Mary Gogel *Max Goodman *Simon Grossman *Silas Gunst
David Itkin *Mayer Katz *Dora Kolpack Faina Laties Miles Lerman *Effie Marks *Lillian Nisenson *Sarah Rockmore *Anna Shapiro *Edward Unger
Sabbath of January 30th *Alta Pauline Benson *Rebecca Block *Yetta Bloom *Isaac Braslau Alex Brownstein Fannie Gottlieb Elinor Greenberg *Jacob Greenberg *Sam Hausman Millie Heffler *Annette Holliday *Florence Kovner *Pearl Krasner Maxine Lenzberg Delano Lockhart Madelyn Loeb *Saera Loeb *Anna Makrow *Sam Maltzman *Mabel Minsky *Hirsch Mozes *Baruch Orshanski *Jeanne Payson *Paul Racusin Harry Reingold Eddie Rodriguez Charles Shimansky *Oscar Spitz *Mindel Tepper *Abraham Willensky *Albert Zalim
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The Congregation thanks you for the following contributions
Don’t forget . You can remember a friend or relative with a minimum contribution of $5.00 to one of our many funds. These funds support camp scholarships, education, cemeteries, fine arts, library, & building improvements, to name a few. An acknowledgement card will be sent to the honored person or family. Please make checks payable to CBI and specify the fund. Call the CBI office with any questions.
Yahrzeit Donations
In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Joseph Grand Edith Mason & Family
Joseph Newman
Joseph Meister
Ted Mason
Aranka Kane Karen & Harold Kane
Al Geller Elise Geller
Dorothy Greene Madeleine & Michael Appel
Harold Applebaum Gertrue Applebaum
Fannie Maniloff Phylis & Jerry Rozen
Anna Maizel Chris & Robert Adler
Jann Horner Meihl Sam Horner
Lois Simons Linda & Marvin Snider
Audrey Zane Sisterhood Memorial Fund
In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Richard Rocklin Cheryl Zane
Audrey Zane
Cemetery Endowment Fund
In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Alan Levens Lois & Gary Blum
General Fund In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Alan Levens Mille Zalim
Offenberg Library Fund In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Benjamin Heller Lois & Gary Blum
Mitzvah Fund In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Alan Levens Rona & LA Train
Recovery of------------------------------------------------ From
Natalie Honigbaum Rona & LA Train
Rabbi Emanuel Discretionary Fund In Memory of------------------------------------------------ From
Phil Seldin Iris & Andy Lehrman
Fran Brodkey
Alan Levens Catherine & Sam L. Susser
Shelly & Bruce Jacobson
Fran Brodkey Harriet & Dee Diaz
Donation----------------------------------------------------- From
Vincent Muscarello
In Honor of-------------------------------------------------- From
Rabbi Emanuel on his installa-tion
Iris & Andy Lehrman
Recovery of------------------------------------------------ From
Marsland Reynolds Catherine & Sam L. Susser
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 SARATOGA CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78413
Please excuse our mess while we reorganize the gift shop.