nov 2015 kol tikvah
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TBT November 2015 newsletterTRANSCRIPT
November 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 10 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Make Your Own Original
Chanukah Menorah Contest
see page 3
see page 11
IT’S THE ANNUAL TURKEY DRIVE!
FIND OUT HOW TO HELP THOSE IN NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON see page 9
Nov. 13th
Veteran’s
Recognition
Shabbat
Service
6:30 PM
2
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Thanksgiving and Judaism
It’s November, and that means Thanksgiving!
The time we gather with family and friends for
a day of good food, fun and football. While we
may think of Thanksgiving as an American
holiday, as Jews, it’s important to take pride in
the fact that this American iconic celebration has its roots in
our rich Jewish tradition.
Let’s go back to the first Thanksgiving to better understand this
connection. The Pilgrims were from a deeply religious people,
the Puritans, whose heritage was strictly founded on the Bible.
According to historian Max Diamant, the Puritans regarded
themselves as Hebraists. They took the Tanakh (Holy
Scriptures) as their model of government and tried to reshape
the Magna Carta in its image. Needless to say, they weren’t a
very popular religious sect in England, and a group chose to
seek out a land where they could worship and live out their
religious traditions in freedom.
The first Pilgrims to the “new land” saw themselves as the
Israelites redeemed by God from the cruel Pharaoh (King
James I). They crossed the sea, received the law and were
delivered into the Promised Land; even Governor Bradford was
likened to Moses. It is no accident that these early settlers
called the Plymouth Colony “Little Israel.” A fun trivia fact to
share at your Thanksgiving tables: when Harvard University
was founded in 1636, Hebrew, along with Latin, was taught as
one of the two main languages and Hebrew almost became the
official language of Massachusetts. (Now wouldn’t that have
made Hebrew school so much easier for us all if that idea had
taken off!?)
It is understandable from the association the Pilgrims had with
the Bible and the traditions of our people, that after surviving
their first year and enjoying the bounty of the autumn harvest
that their Thanksgiving festival would be patterned after
Sukkot- the time to gather with honored guests (Ushpizin),
sharing in the bounty of the harvest, and giving thanks to God
for another year of life.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving 2015, and our modern
celebration. As Jews, we are commanded daily to be grateful,
appreciative and to say “thank you” to God for our lives. For
many of us, the simple act of gathering together as family and
friends around our Thanksgiving tables offers us that very
chance, to stop and appreciate the blessings in our lives. Just as
those who marked that first Pilgrim-Thanksgiving in 1621 with
gratitude and religious conviction, so must we look to our faith
to help guide us, as we offer our Hoda’ah, our thanks to God
for our bounty, our families, our joy and our freedom.
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy Thanksgiving.
Todah Rabah - A BIG Thank You Shout Out!
Dear TBT, we would like to thank the many volunteers who
helped make our Holy Days so meaningful and inspirational.
There are so many to thank- Ushers, Greeters, Torah chanters,
choir members, board members, HOTTY members, past presi-
dents, Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Torah holders, service readers,
ark openers, our amazing staff- office, custodial and school…the
list goes on and on.
A special shout out to the Roswell Police Department for their
partnership with us and of course our friends at Roswell United
Methodist Church for sharing their parking lot with us again this
year.
If you were a part of making this HHD season special, with your
presence and your love, know how much your efforts were and
continue to be appreciated. We are TBT and we are Family!
Warmly,
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner & Cantor Kassel
Veteran’s Day Shabbat - Friday, November 13
We honor the commitment and sacrifice
of those who serve and have served our
country with a Shabbat service and bless-
ing of gratitude to those who served our
nation. Community Vets will share
stories during the Oneg Shabbat.
All Jewish veterans are warmly encouraged to attend this
program. Wearing of service caps is encouraged.
Great time for relatives (adults and children) and friends to show
their gratitude to those who have kept our country free!
3
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Notes from Cantor Kassel
In the first week of November, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and I, along with other members of TBT will be attending the
URJ Biennial in Orlando, Florida. These Biennials are attended by Reform clergy, educators, lay leaders of member
congregations and youth groups.
The organization was founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise and until 2003 was called the Union of Ameri-
can Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) Today there are more than 900 member congregations from the United States, Canada, the
Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The U.A.H.C. was initially founded for the sole purpose of establishing a seminary
for training American rabbis to serve American congregations. In 1875 the Hebrew Union College: HUC (the seminary which
Rabbis Tam, Shuval-Weiner and I attended) was founded with Rabbi Wise as its first president.
In my office, I have a photograph of Rabbi Isaac M. Wise with three graduates of Hebrew Union College in 1895, one of whom was
my great-great uncle, Rabbi George Solomon.
The early rabbinic graduates of HUC held conferences and developed platforms to more clearly define the Reform Movement and in
1889 the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) was founded. The purpose of the UAHC then expanded to creating and
supporting its member congregations. There are many affiliate bodies of the now URJ. such as Sisterhoods (Women of Reform
Judaism.), Brotherhoods (Men of Reform Judaism) and youth (National Federation of Temple Youth) and the Religious Action
Center of Reform Judaism. There are URJ. camps throughout the country along with programs for teens in Israel.
What little I’ve shared here is only the tip of the iceberg. The URJ is rich in history as well as in its present day offerings. Reform
Judaism, merely by its descriptive, implies ‘change’. Judaism cannot survive if it is static. Imagine what it’s like to be among thou-
sands of enthusiastic and dedicated Reform Jews, eager to learn from each other and celebrate Shabbat together on such a massive
scale. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and I along with TBT’s President and Vice President and others will experience this at the upcoming
Biennial. Be sure and ask us about the Biennial when we return. We would love to make the energy and vitality of the Biennial
experience contagious!
Want to know more? Please visit the URJ website: www.urj.org
YES, IT’S ONLY NOVEMBER, BUT HANUKKAH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
And New This Year we’d like to introduce two exciting Hanukkah events!
Create your own original Hanukkah Menorah contest Hanukkiyot will be judged in four categories: PreK -3rd Grade • 4th -6th Grade • 7th -12th Grade • Adult/Family
Rules: Using whatever materials you like, create an original menorah – it doesn’t have to be “usable” but it has to look
“kosher” (8 + a shamash, properly aligned)
All Entries must be in the synagogue lobby by noon on Sunday December 6. Be sure to fill out and attach an entry form to your menorah.
Members of the Board of Education will do the judging, and winners will be announced at the Shabbat/Hanukkah Celebration on Friday evening December 11th.
AND for extra fun……..Candle guessing Contest!
Guess the number of candles in the jar in the lobby and win a prize.
Submit your guess no later than noon on Sunday, December 6th.
Winner will be announced at the Shabbat/Hanukkah service on December 11th at 6:30 pm.
Creative Menorah Contest Entry Form
Name(s) ________________________________________________ Phone _______________________
Please check entry category:
_____ Grade Pre-K-3rd ___ Grade 4th - 6th ___ Grade 7th - 12th ___ Adult/Family Please give a brief description of your menorah _______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’nai Mitzvah
Rachel Smolin will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 14, 2015. Rachel is the daughter of
Eric and Kay Smolin and the sister of Seaver and Mookie. She is in the 7th grade at Liberty Middle School in
Cumming, Georgia, where she participates in accelerated classes and is a manager for the Liberty Middle School
football team. Rachel enjoys sports such as soccer, softball, baseball, football, and running. Rachel also enjoys
learning how to play the guitar and doing artwork.
For Rachel’s Mitzvah projects she looked in her heart to what matters the most to her. First and foremost she
continued her work with the organization “Cure for ALS”. Rachel and her family have worked with this organi-
zation in support of the Emory ALS Center for many years. Fighting ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) has been very
important to the Smolin family since Rachel’s grandmother was diagnosed with the disease in the 1980s. Rachel’s paternal grand-
mother, Helene M. Smolin, passed away September 7, 1991 from ALS. Rachel’s other mitzvah projects included her love for ani-
mals, which brought 2 additional dogs into our family. As part of her mitzvah projects Rachel wanted to honor the memory of Hol-
ocaust victims. In doing so, within today’s events we will honor the memories of Gizel Dulberg (age 10) and Aldo Vitale (age 12).
Rachel’s mother Kay, who converted to Judaism in 2010, will also be called to the Torah today as a Bat Mitzvah.
TIME TO APPLY FOR ALEF FUND
TAX CREDIT 2016!
Since 2008, ALEF Fund has provided over $10 Million in scholarships
to students at local Jewish pre-k, day schools, and high schools. Redi-
recting a portion of your state taxes to ALEF Fund helps provide chil-
dren in our community with a Jewish education.
ALEF Fund has made the process of reserving a state tax credit even
simpler this year. At www.aleffund.org , you can reserve your 2016 tax
credit in less than two minutes!
Complete your application and direct your tax dollars to the ALEF Fund
Partner Schools of your choice.
Please act now to ensure your credit will be approved and your tax dol-
lars will secure a Jewish education for our families!
Please visit our website to reserve your tax credit or
contact Nina Rubin, ALEF Fund Manager at
[email protected] or 678.222.3739
for assistance.
Ryan Andrew Cohen will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on November 21, 2015. Ryan is the son
of Lisa and Michael Cohen and younger brother to Kyle. He is the grandson of Judy and Morrie Gurevitch of
Boca Raton, Florida and Pat and Frank Cervasio and Judy and Leon Cohen of Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Ryan is in the 7th grade at the Epstein School. He runs cross country and track for the Epstein Eagles, plays
trumpet in the middle school band and also plays piano.
As part of his mitzvah project, and to honor a friend who has autism, Ryan raised more than $3000 for autism
research and is helping produce social story books for all Atlanta area synagogues to help children with autism
through the Bar and Bat Mitzvah process.
Ryan is looking forward to sharing the bimah with his mother as she will also be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
The first mailing of the school
year has taken place to 48
Temple Beth Tikvah’s college
students. What better way to show them we’re thinking of them while
away at school? Included in the packages were items such as small
school supplies, microwave popcorn, Altoids, Extra gum, coffee and
hot chocolate packets, honey sticks, apple breakfast bars, Rice Krispy
Treats and fruit snacks. Don’t let your student miss out on the fun. If
you would like for your student to receive a similar package, and we do
not currently have their school mailing address, please send it to us and
they will be included in the next shipment.
Of course, this would not be possible without the help of many, as well
as the generous donations we received from Cindy and Ed Getty who
supplied packages of Extra chewing gum and Altoids for all the student.
Their generosity is much appreciated!
There are many volunteers who assisted with assembling the packages
and we were so thankful their help: Beth Kess, Carol Lipinsky, Helaine
Medoff, Ellen Rickles, and Natine Rosenzweig.
Thank you all so much for your assistance!
Finally, we couldn’t have done this without the help of the office staff
Lisa Singer, Becky Sullivan and Michelle Leder. Thank you for giving
us all the assistance we needed, providing labels, setting up the social
hall and so many other details. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, as busy as you
are, we so appreciate your taking the time to share your words of
wisdom in a personal letter to the students. I’m sure it will be the
highlight of their package.
Keeping our students connected to the TBT community is important. If
you have any small items you’d like to supply for the next mailing or
would like to make a monetary donation to the cause it would be much
appreciated. Please help us stay connected to your students by
providing us with their college mailing address (if you haven’t already).
Thank you!
Lynda Bennett ([email protected])
Beth Kess ([email protected])
5
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Every day on the way to my office, I pass Johnson Ferry Baptist
Church. The magnificent buildings, grounds and facilities amaze me.
It’s like a small college campus. I questioned how a religious
organization is able to afford such a facility. Granted, the church has a
huge number of families that attend regularly, but I still couldn’t
fathom the difference in their facilities and level of programming. A
church congregant I know shared their budget with me. After I studied
the numbers, I became even more depressed when I thought about
TBT’s tight budget and, in particular, our income sources.
I reviewed the articles I wrote the past two years to promote the
Annual Campaign kick-off. I even looked back at prior messages
written by my predecessors for the campaign. What could I possibly
say in this year’s article that would be different yet convincing and
would motivate my fellow congregants to dig a little deeper to support
our synagogue to allow us to do some of the things we have only been
dreaming about? We can come up with a new catchy tag line and a
slick promotional piece. But at the end of the day, if you put lipstick
on a pig, it’s still a pig. (Sorry, Rabbi, for the swine reference).
It’s simple: your Board of Trustees have all stepped up themselves and
we are asking for you to do the same. Our annual campaign is not
something we would like to have, it is a financial necessity and our
goal must be met each and every year. Almost all synagogues have
the same issue. I wish it wasn’t the case but it is a cold hard fact.
Our Board of Trustees has been very transparent about our finances.
We have made our budgeting process very open as well as our annual
financial results. I have provided snippets about key financial
statistics during all my High Holy Day addresses. Our Nadiv Lev
commitments do not cover all of our operating expenses, not to
mention afford us the ability to care for our aging building as is
needed. This gap in our budget can only be met by utilizing our
Annual Campaign.
My approach to you this year is simple and direct. What I am asking
is that each family at least have a conversation about your ability and
desire to participate in this year’s campaign. If appropriate, include
your children. Talk about what TBT has meant to your family, talk
about what it means to make sure the synagogue,
your synagogue, is there not just for your family
but for all of our families, both now and in the
future and most importantly, talk about the meaning
of Tzedakah. Friends, my observations from
talking with members of several churches is that
this is exactly the conversation they have. Our Torah (Deut. 14:22)
recommends giving 10%, hence the popular expression, “tithe,”
meaning one-tenth. Churches may call it tithing, but it is definitely a
very generous act of Tzedakah.
Just as we truly need each of you to be present to make our
community more meaningful, so do we need each of you to give, at
YOUR own level of comfort, so that we can bridge the gap in our
budget and offer the basic programming needed to be a vibrant
synagogue in metro Atlanta. I am hopeful that as we, the Temple Beth
Tikvah community, have given something to each of you, you will
respond by giving back – a little or a lot – whatever you are able.
Our goal this year is $110,000 but that is just to meet our basic
operating budget that includes only one capital project. Once again,
The Arthur M. Blank Foundation has made a generous matching grant
towards our campaign. For every dollar you pledge, the foundation
will match 50 cents up to a total match of $25,000. We also have an
anonymous matching grant that kicks in for donations that are at least
$250 greater than your last year’s contribution or for any new givers of
$250 or more up to a total match of $10,000. These grants are a great
incentive and help to maximize your donations.
We have started this year with our new, wonderful Senior Rabbi. We
are blessed to have Cantor Kassel and Rabbi Tam. We have
committed youth leadership, educational and office staff. Please help
us with the missing piece…….strengthening our budget so that all of
these people have the tools and the support to perform their jobs to the
best of their abilities and to enable us to continue to enjoy meaningful
and varied services and programming at Temple Beth Tikvah.
L’Shalom
Ron Swichkow
Our congregation did a
great job collecting food
for Project Isaiah! We
collected 3,462 lbs. of
food which will be
donated to food banks around the city and to the Kosher Food Pan-
try. Thanks to all who donated food, handed out bags and helped to
separate the food!
We are collecting toiletry samples for gift bags for the homeless. There
is a basket underneath the education table in the lobby. Items to include
are: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene
products, soap, brushes/combs and lotion.
Knit and Nosh with Sisterhood; we are knitting and crocheting scarves
for the homeless for distribution in December. Thanks to all who are
participating. A warm scarf will be a wonderful gift for the upcoming
cool temperatures.
FOOD of the month for December will be pet food for dogs and
cats...please start collecting canned and dry food in anticipation.
As you can see from above, we as a congregation are concerned with
all who are hungry. It brings me to the Turkey Drive. Imagine your
holiday dinner with no turkey...with just some potatoes or canned
beans. We have done a wonderful job with Project Isaiah, now let's put
our efforts into the most successful Turkey Drive we have ever had.
100% participation! All it takes is a $10 donation (you can write a
check with Turkey Drive in the memo)! The money collected will be
split between NFCC and JF&CS. Think about what a meaningful
donation this will be to a family, just like yours, who will be able to
celebrate the holiday and not be hungry.
We can do this for our community.
Thank you.
Terry Apt Carasick [email protected]
Let’s Do Something Special Together
6
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah Click on the coffee cup to RSVP
A wise friend once told me, “If everybody in the world threw their tsuris in a pot, we would all take our own tsuris back.”
It is that time of year again, the time to reflect on our lives and be thankful for all that we have. My wise friend has
a point. No matter what hand we are dealt in life, we still have so much to be thankful for. Everyday in the Early
Childhood Center, I am reminded what a beautiful world we live in. When I see the smile of an eighteen month
old, look into the innocent, bright eyes of a three year old, or witness the growth and development of a four year
old, I am constantly being made aware of what a wonderful world this is. The little things that cloud up our bigger
pictures are really just that, the little things. I am guilty of it, letting the tiniest of things; an argument, a pet peeve,
the hustle and bustle of a day, get me down. We grow impatient;
lose our tempers, shut down, after all we are human! But it is now a
new year and we must take the time to slow down, smell the roses, enjoy the sounds
of a child’s laughter, and thank friends, family and G-d for all that you have. For no
matter how cloudy your picture seems, your big picture is clear and magnificent.
Jenifer Friedman ECEC Director www.bethtikvahpreschool.com
ECEC
On Sunday, October 7th some of our Kindergarten and 1st grade students were consecrated as part of our Simchat Torah celebration.
Each child received their own Torah scroll and a beautiful certificate that will remind them of this ceremony. Consecration general-
ly takes place when a child begins his or her Jewish education. This is a lovely and meaningful ceremony for children and families
alike. A large tallit was held over the students while they were blessed by the clergy.
Our 8th – 12th grade Monday night programs kicked off on October 18th. It was so wonderful to see our teenagers rush in to start a
new year. Adam Griff has returned as the 11th and 12th grade teacher for Kivunim. Rhonda Povlot and Sariel Brummer have joined
Kesher this year as co-teachers with Bobbee Griff. They have an exciting year planned for our 8th and 9th grade students. Our Con-
firmation class is being lead by Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner. We are looking forward to a very rewarding year for our Monday
night students.
We announced the winners of the Falcons Fundraiser during school on October 20th. Congratulations to Harris and Suellen
Bergman and Marc and Martyne Seidband who were the winners of this Fabulous Falcons package. I’m sure the winners are
looking forward to a wonderful day spent with Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, Jay Weiner and the Atlanta Falcons. Thanks to
the generosity of Arthur Blank for donating the Falcons fundraiser package this year.
Please remember there is no school November 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 29th. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving break.
Shalom,
Hassia Levin
Religious School
Simchat Torah
2015
7
Youth Group
HOTTY (9-12th Grade)
WHAT DID WE DO THIS PAST MONTH?
Fall Kallah was a HUGE success! After the months and months of planning it
was so awesome to see it finally all come together. Our theme for the weekend
was “Be the Change” and from talking about Random Acts of Kindness, writing pledge cards on what we wanted to change, making action plans with our TYG,
and hearing from speakers doing amazing work in the community, we are truly
inspired and ready to make some change in our world!
We asked one of our Fall committee chairs, Lexi Cooper, what her experience
was like being part of planning this event. Here’s what she said: My amazing experience with HOTTY started when I was in 8th grade when Temple Beth Tikvah hosted Fall Kallah in 2013. Ever since my first kallah, being involved in NFTY-SAR and HOTTY has been a great experience. I will always remember the excitement of being involved in planning my first kallah, and this year, Temple Beth Tikvah is hosting Fall Kallah again. As a sophomore, I am helping plan this amazing event as the Welcoming Com-mittee chair. Being a committee chair has been an incredible experience. I have been able to work with an amazing group of people, and it has al-lowed me to really bond with my committee members. I love seeing the interaction between the different grades as we all work together and share our creative ideas. So far, we have designed and chosen an awesome t-shirt, designed nametags, and selected super fun mixers for the entire weekend. As a committee member, I have really enjoyed helping plan all of the little details that will come together to make Fall Kallah an amazing event. I had so much fun during the weekend, joining hundreds of teens from the southern-area region (SAR) and sharing the incredible programs that all of the committees worked so very hard to put together!
WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR HOTTY?
Join us on Saturday, November 7th for our Roswell Haunted Ghost Tour. We’ll
also spend some time looking at what Judaism has to say about the afterlife and
do Havdallah in Roswell Town Square. Oohh spooky!! See you there! Did you know we have a youth lounge just for HOTTY? Come out on November
11th for our first ever HOTTY Youth Lounge Night! It’s a night of pizza and some
good hanging out time with your friends!
Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/) to
stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events!
Join our Remind101 text updates: text @826ef3 to 81010.
JYG (7-8th Grade)
We’re excited to finally kick off the year with Junior Youth Group (JYG). For
JYG we’ve got lots of events planned, like a Cooking class, Social Action
Project, and Minute-to-Win-it & Tye-Dye Party. Mark your calendars for
December 6th for our Cooking class at Young Chef’s Academy.
And, save-the-date…March 11-13th is NFTY-SAR’s Hatikvah Kallah for 7th & 8th
graders at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta!! We’ll send out more info about this
awesome weekend as the date gets closer.
Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening with JYG, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!
Club 56 (5th & 6th Grade)
We had a great first year of events for our 5th & 6th graders and look forward to another fun-filled year. Join us this year for events like a Hollywood Night, Mad Scientist, and Pool Party & BBQ. Our next events will be Bowling on Saturday, November 14th and then our Hollywood Night on Saturday, December 5th at
TBT. Watch Facebook and your email for all the details.
Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.56/)
to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!
Thank you so much to all of our families who helped
house teens for the NFTY Kallah!!! Thank you also to
all of our volunteers who pitched in planning the
Kallah and helping during the weekend, baking for
the oneg, flipping rooms, setting up, cleaning up,
serving meals, and more. The weekend was a huge
success and we truly couldn’t have done it without
the support and help of our community!
A huge THANK YOU from HOTTY and NFTY-SAR!
Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact Adam or Bobbee at: [email protected] or (404) 228–2494
A hearty Yasher Koach and Mazal Tov to HOTTY for an
outstanding NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah! “BE THE
CHANGE”. Once again, our TBT teens set the bar
extremely high demonstrating to the region what
meaningful teen learning and engagement should look
like. May you all continue to go from strength to strength!
Kol HaKavod to Bobbee and Adam Griff for their
tremendous guidance of our youth. We are truly blessed
to have this dynamic team on our synagogue staff.
Thank you to all of the TBT family members who opened
their homes so warmly to the visiting teens from across
our region.
Thanks to Men’s Club, Sisterhood and all of the wonder-
ful adult volunteers who helped make the weekend such a
success.
HOTTY - NFTY-SAR KALLAH
8
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Create Community in a Chavurah
"The members of our Chavurah are like extended family. I
can't imagine holidays without them!" (comment from TBT
Chavurah member)
What's a Chavurah?
It's a group of people who share common interests and meet
regularly to celebrate Jewish holidays, share simchas, attend
TBT events, and participate in any activities that interest
them. Being part of a Chavurah can enhance your
experience at TBT by helping you develop a strong sense of
community and deeper connections within the congregation.
What does a Chavurah do?
You choose the activities you'll participate in and how often
and where you meet. We can help you design a calendar of
programs based on your group's interests.
How do I join a Chavurah?
Just fill out the application and we'll help you find like-
minded families or individuals to form a group. Drop by the
TBT office to pick one up, or visit
http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/chavurot to
download.
Questions? Please contact Dalia Faupel at
Happy Fall to you! Sisterhood has been busy planning
events for the year and having fun at the same time. Bunco
and Brainstorming was a great success and a welcoming
opportunity to offer input into events for the year and
socialize all at once. It’s so nice to see such interest and
enthusiasm. A special thank you goes out to Wendy Klein
for “studying the rules” to lead Bunco and to Leslie
Swichkow for her culinary delights. Yumm!
Knit and Nosh has been our ongoing Tikkun Olam project
related to helping homeless individuals. We are busy knit-
ting and crotcheting scarves, so grab your needles and
crotchet hook and join us Sunday, Nov. 15th in the
conference room. We hope to finish our scarves by early
December for distribution to area shelters.
Mah Jong has arrived! If you read this on or before Nov. 1st,
come and join us in the Social Hall at 9:45 a.m. for a
morning of fun and socializing. Beginners welcome and
teachers will be there!
Watch for details regarding our outing to Oli + Ve,
December 3rd, 7:00 pm. to 8:30 p.m. We will be tasting the
world’s finest premium olive oils and vinegars! Yum!!!
Robin Bledsoe Sisterhood Chair
HELP US HELP YOU
Your synagogue community wants to be a Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed
If you have recently experienced a loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha, please let our office know as soon as possible.
Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of support as best as they can. If you know of one of our fellow congregants who has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.
TBT Seniors Luncheon
Monday, November 9th at 12 PM
The Synagogue in Jewish Life: Its Origins and Future
Presented by
Rabbi Donald Tam
If you are attending and part of a couple,
please bring a little more
RSVP to Natine at [email protected]
9
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Can you believe it is already time to
Talk “Turkey” Drive!
Your donations in $10 increments will go to
purchase grocery gift cards for JF&CS & NFCC
Help make someone’s holidays “Full”filling!
Please make your checks out to TBT
and mark them Turkey.
Thank you to all who donated
for Operation Isaiah
The food we collected weighed in at
3,462 pounds, which will provide
2,885 meals to children, seniors, and many
more families in need!
We truly appreciate all of your efforts to collect
so much food! Great work!
Happy New Year to all!
PINCH HITTER PROGRAM
Join us on Friday, December 25th as a volunteer!
The Pinch Hitter Program, which is organized by B’nai
B’rith and chaired by Harry Lutz, provides volunteers
to work in non-medical positions in area hospitals on
Christmas Day to give employees the day off to spend
with their families. We will work in four-hour shifts at
eleven hospitals and assisted living facilities this year.
You can sign up online at www.pinchhitters.org.
Call Harry at 770.392.1175 for more information.
Note that we will be curtailing our activities this year at
5pm in observance of Shabbat.
Camp Survey
As part of a grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp,
we are collecting info on your child's camp experience
from this past summer (2015). Please fill out a separate
form for each child who attended camp.
Thank you for helping by completing this form!
ADULT ED
STUDY OF THE BOOK OF KOHELLETH
Sundays, November 1. 8, 15, December 6, 13
10AM - 10:50AM in the library
Join Rabbi Tam for a study on the Book of Kohelleth (Ecclesiastes). Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
"Kohelleth” is one of the Five Megillot, which occur in the Hebrew Bible. It is read traditionally during the observance of Sukkot.
Of all the books in our Tanach, this is among the strangest. Robert Gordis, a great Jewish scholar and teacher at Jewish Theological
Seminary in the 20th century, wrote: "Whoever has dreamt great dreams in his youth and seen the vision flee, or has loved and lost,
or has beaten barehanded at the fortress of injustice and come back bleeding and broken, has passed Kohelleth's door, and tarried
awhile beneath the shadow of his roof." (Koheleth: The Man and His World, p.3). We will "tarry awhile beneath" Kohelleth's
"roof" as we read his work verse by verse, trying to understand his "theology" and world view. Both of these, in many ways, are
unique among the books in the Tanach."
Sisterhood outing at
Oli and Ve on
December 3rd.
Tastings,
easy recipes and
great
holiday
gifts!
Honor a person or event
with a leaf on our
Tree of Life.
10
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
November 2015
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 19th of Heshvan
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Religious School
9:30 am Sisterhood - Mah
Jongg 9:45 am Adult Ed - Study of
Kohelleth with Rabbi
Tam 10:00 am
2 20th of Heshvan
Kesher & Confirmation 6:45 pm
Adult Ed - Hebrew
Reading 7:00 pm Families Anonymous
7:15 pm
3 21st of Heshvan
Tai Chi 9:30 am Religious School
5:00 pm
4 22nd of Heshvan
HOTTY Board
Meeting 4:30 pm
5 23rd of Heshvan
6 24th of Heshvan
Shabbat Service
8:00 pm
7 25th of Heshvan
Bagels, Learning &
Torah 9:00 am Shabbat Service
10:00 am HOTTY -
Ghost Tour
5:00 pm
8 26th of Heshvan
Religious School
9:30 am Adult Ed - Study of the
Book of Kohelleth with
Rabbi Tam 10:00 am
JYG - Bowling & Laser
Tag 12:30 pm
9 27th of Heshvan
No ECEC - Parent/Teacher
Conferences
Senior Luncheon
12:00 pm Kesher, Confirmation
& Kivunim 6:45 pm
Adult Ed - Hebrew
Reading 7:00 pm Families Anonymous
7:15 pm
10 28th of Heshvan
Tai Chi 9:30 am Religious School
5:00 pm BOE Meeting 7:00
pm
11 29th of Heshvan
Veteran's Day HOTTY - Youth
Lounge Night
6:00 pm
12 30th of Heshvan
13 1st of Kislev
Oneg 6:00 pm Shabbat Service -
Veteran's
Recognition
6:30 pm
14 2nd of Kislev
Bagels, Learning &
Torah 9:00 am Shabbat Service -
Smolin B'not
Mitzvah 10:00 am
Club 56 - Bowling
5:30 pm
15 3rd of Kislev
Religious School
9:30 am Adult Ed. - Study of
the Book of Kohelleth
with Rabbi Tam
10:00 am
Sisterhood - Knit
and Nosh 10:00 am
16 4th of Kislev
Kesher(Parent Night),
Confirmation &
Kivunim 6:45 pm Adult Ed - Hebrew
Reading 7:00 pm Families Anonymous
7:15 pm
17 5th of Kislev Tai Chi 9:30 am Religious School
5:00 pm Board of Trustees
Meeting 7:30 pm
18 6th of Kislev 19 7th of Kislev 20 8th of Kislev
ECEC Thanksgiving
Feast 12:00 pm Shabbat Service
8:00 pm
21 9th of Kislev
Bagels, Learning &
Torah 9:00 am
Shabbat Service -
Ryan Cohen Bar
Mitzvah 10:00 am
22 10th of Kislev
No Religious School
23 11th of Kislev
Cobb & Fulton
County School
Break
No ECEC No Religious School Families Anonymous
7:15 pm
24 12th of Kislev
Cobb & Fulton
County School
Break No ECEC No Religious School Tai Chi 9:30 am
25 13th of Kislev
Cobb & Fulton
County School
Break No ECEC
26 14th of Kislev Thanksgiving Day
Cobb & Fulton
County School
Break No ECEC
TBT Offices
Closed
27 15th of Kislev
Cobb & Fulton
County School
Break No ECEC TBT Offices
Closed Shabbat Service
8:00 pm
28 16th of Kislev
Bagels, Learning &
Torah 9:00 am Shabbat Service
10:00 am
29 17th of Kislev
No Religious School
30 18th of Kislev
Kesher &
Confirmation 6:45 pm Families Anonymous
7:15 pm
11
“Building Our Future Today” The theme of the TBT 2015-2016 Annual Campaign was chosen to be symbolic of new opportunities and the future growth for our community. The excitement about our future begins today with the emergence of Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner as our new Rabbi and her commitment to leading TBT into the future.
By now, all members of the TBT family have received a letter regarding this year’s goals and initiatives. In case you haven’t opened your correspondence yet, here are the highlights:
Our fiscal goal for this year is $110,000
Our goal is to have 100% of our families participate in this year’s program
To help us reach our goals we are also very fortunate to have 2 matching fund programs in place:
The Blank Family Foundation will begin its 2nd year of a 50% matching program on all gifts through January 31st up to $50,000, enabling us an opportunity to receive $25,000.
An anonymous TBT member has agreed to match up to $10,000 based upon the number of families who provide either new gift increments of $250 or increases over last year’s by individuals over $250. If you gave $100 last year and can increase that amount to $350, this increase of $250 will be matched.
Yes, our goals are lofty but why shouldn’t they be? We are a caring community that has a tremendous opportunity by reaching our goals. Yes, as it has often been preached, the Annual Campaign significantly aids our budget in tending to the physical needs of our building. Sometimes forgotten though is the use of the Annual Campaign to aid in the support of TBT programming and staffing. When the budget needs funds to support Religious School and ECEC initiatives, it’s the AC that helps provide support. Adult Education and Youth Group programs are also aided by the funds raised by the Annual Campaign. Throughout the year, as funds are raised, they go into the budget to support programming at TBT.
As we consider new opportunities for the future, the growth of families that we expect will need new staffing to help support our growth. Funding these new staffing initiatives begins with the funds we raise in the Annual Campaign.
“Building Our Future Today”, simply put, can’t be done without every TBT family’s participation.
There are several ways to contribute:
1. Send a check to the TBT office and note a contribution to 2015-1016 Annual Campaign
2. Click here and contribute on line through the TBT web site
3. Send back the contribution card that you received with the Annual campaign letter
In advance, on behalf of the Fundraising Committee and the Board of Trustees, thank you for “Giving with your Heart” and “Building Our Future Today”.
Shalom,
Jonathan Agin
Board of Trustee and Chair of the Fundraising Committee
12
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Adult Ed Programs
Harlan and Ivie Graiser in memory of Norton Locke,
Bennie Auerbach and Edith Siegel
Annual Campaign
Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Erik Ludwig
Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Sonia Oxman
Jonathan and Joan Marks in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
Allison Oreck in appreciation of Mark and Debbie Weiss
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Sonia Oxman
Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Fritzie Shaw
Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Rose Skal
Building Fund
Jill Kaplan in memory of Herbert Altman
Campership/Israel Fund
David and Christine Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons
Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund
Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig & Andrea and Kevin Rubin in memory of
Erik Ludwig
Ruth Zeidman in memory of Celia Mendelson
Mark and Debbie Weiss in appreciation of Cantor Kassel
Laura Alterman in memory of Paul Alterman
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in appreciation of the inspirational
High Holy Day services
Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in appreciation of the wonderful
Holy Day services
Rhonda Schweber in memory of Stan Albert
Robert and Adele Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons
Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund
Ruth Zeidman in memory of Donald Mendel
Steven and Janice Liederman in memory of Joseph Zimmerman
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Liz Hodes
Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz in appreciation of Yom Kippur honor
Endowment Fund
Douglas Wexler in memory of Delores Wexler
General Fund
Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Sonia Rothman Oxman
Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Fred Stern
Joseph and Waynah Dunn in honor of Joe's aliyah and in memory
of Don Gellins, Emily Boone and Norton Locke
Renee Berman in memory of Teri Siegal
Shirley Crawford
Preschool Fund
Jenifer, Rory, Abby and Evan Friedman in memory of David Attell
TBT ECEC Staff in memory of David Attell
TBT Preschool Families in memory of Norton Locke
TBT ECEC Staff in memory of Norton Locke
Hadley and Lisa Lowy in memory of Bea Lowy
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund
Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Norton Locke
Edward Mactas in appreciation of Josh and Debbie Sinsley
David and Marci Slotin in memory of Marshall Bernstein,
Larry Bernstein and Marian Birlant Slotin
Lisa, Michael, Kyle and Ryan Cohen in memory of Norton Locke
Michael and Marlene Cohn in memory of Norton Locke
Mark and Debbie Weiss in appreciation of the Rabbi's lovely
prayer for Matthew Weiss and Stephanie Oreck on their
forthcoming wedding
Bruce and Carol Waldman in memory of Arthur Pollack
Phyllis Madans in memory of Ira Madans, Leonard Madans, and
Norton Locke
Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in honor of the beautiful
holiday services
Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Norton Locke
Todd and Rachel Wilson in appreciation of High Holy Day honors
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in appreciation of the inspirational
High Holy Day services
Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Lawrence Gelb
Steven and Teri Astren in memory of Marty Soniker
Steven and Teri Astren in memory of Norton Locke
Ken Schefter in memory of Norton Locke
Steven and Teri Astren in memory of Yehuda Sarfatty
Michael Steiner in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in appreciation of Aliyot and
honors on High Holy Days
Ronald and Renee Gurin in memory of Allen Pearlstein
Sibby and Mel Cosner in memory of Norton Locke
Sheryl Blechner in honor of High Holy Day aliyot
Bruce and Carol Waldman in memory of Sylvia Waldman
Nadine Duhaney in honor of her family
Andy and Marci Fried in memory of Ruth Fried
Burton and Sara Grossman in memory of William Brooks
Shirley Plotkin in memory of Rose Trucker
Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund
Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in appreciation of Rabbi Tam's
poignant Kol Nidre message
Ruth Zeidman in memory of Harris Simons
Torah Fund
Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Morris and
Miriam Belger
Nadine Duhaney in honor of her family
Youth Group Fund
Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Sonia Oxman, mother
of Helen Kraus
Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in honor of the upcoming wedding of Matthew Weiss and Stephanie Oreck
Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Florence Friedman
(donations processed through 10/ 23)
Donations
13
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER
In Memoriam
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow
the passing of:
Shulamit Noiyman
Aunt of Hassia Levin
Edna Aline McMurrain
Mother of Tom McMurrain
Phyllis Vosk
Aunt of Mark Vosk
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Thank You to our Amazing Office
Volunteers!
Richard Staviss
June Wallach
Lois Malkin
Leslie Swichkow
Marsha McMurrain
And a shout out to:
-Waynah Dunn &
Barbara Bogartz
-Audrey Gordon &
Ilene Fader
-Leslie Swichkow
for shopping for and
preparing the TBT
onegs in October.
If you would like to
help with an oneg,
please click here to
sign up.
▲Temple Beth Tikvah at beginning of
Relay for Life - Ruach Atlanta
Relay for Life
Ruach Atlanta
2015
Participants in Survivor Lap
L’Chaim!
►
14
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Synagogue Information
Synagogue Office - 770-642-0434
Fax Number - 770-642-0647
School Office (Perri) - 770-642-4168
Preschool (Jenifer) - 678-350-0076
Assistant to Clergy - Michelle Leder
Financial Secretary - Jenny Korsen
Admin. Assistant - Lisa Singer
Office Manager - Becky Sullivan
Adult Education Ivie Graiser [email protected] Budget & Finance Karen Korshak [email protected]
Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber [email protected] Chavurot Dalia Faupel [email protected] College Outreach Lynda Bennett [email protected] Beth Kess [email protected] Communications
Mark Rudel [email protected] Family Promise Randy and Amy Siegal [email protected] Brian and Jennifer Steinberg [email protected] Tony Rosenberg [email protected] Fundraising Jonathan Agin [email protected]
House Ted Nathan [email protected] Human Resources Seth Zimmer [email protected]
Israel Gene Carasick [email protected] Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow [email protected] Library Ilana Zalkin [email protected] Long Range Planning Harvey Rosenzweig Membership Recruitment &
Retention Jill Leitman [email protected] Marcia Pearl [email protected] Men’s Club Mark Greenspan [email protected] Peter Hartog [email protected]
Nominating Committee Todd Boehm [email protected] Ritual Rick Winer [email protected]
Security Jay Sausmer [email protected] Seniors Natine Rosenzweig [email protected] Sisterhood Robin Bledsoe [email protected] Social Action Terry Apt Carasick Terrys [email protected]
Website Development Scott Povlot [email protected] Youth Group Debra Schwartz [email protected] Michal Loventhal [email protected]
Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons
Planning a simcha or group gathering?
The Tam-Blank Social Hall is the Place to Be.
For more information on renting our Social Hall,
contact the synagogue office at 770-642-0434.
15
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
16
Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Rabbi
Donald A. Tam
Rabbi Emeritus
Nancy Kassel
Cantor
Hassia Levin
Education Director
Jenifer Friedman
ECEC Director
Ron Swichkow President
Harlan Graiser
Vice President and
President Elect
Todd Boehm
Vice President
Rhonda Povlot Vice President
Joe Dunn
Treasurer
Michael Braun
Secretary
Mary Block
Chairperson, Board of Education