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TEMPLE BETH-EL

10001 Columbia Avenue 219.934.9600

Munster, IN 46321-4056 219.934.9663 (fax)

E-mail: tbe@airbaud.net

www.templebethel-munster.org

Leonard Zukrow - Rabbi

Michael N. Stevens Rabbi Emeritus

Matthew Fefferman - President

Carrie Morris - Sisterhood President

Paul Mesirow - Brotherhood President

Francie Gerson - Religious School Facilitator

Kristin Stern - Music Director

Mission Statement

Temple Beth-El is a Reform Jewish Congregation dedicated to worship,

study, and social responsibility. As a caring community, we strive to meet

the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural needs of each member of our Tem-

ple family.

Adopted by the Board 1/20/98

Temple Beth-El’s newsletter is printed once a month.

Non-members wishing to receive our congregational news are asked to pay

a yearly subscription fee of $18.00.

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

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DIVREI HA RAV THE RABBI’S WORDS I’ve been thinking about computers and

Smartphone. Can you ever remember a

time without them? Smart phones and

computers are so much a part of our lives

that our bodies may evolve to allow phones

to be permanently attached to our hands

(as if they aren’t now!) [See Photo to left.]

I want you to remember the stone age of

early computers and cell phones, what it

was like learning how to use these new-

fangled devices. If you needed to know how to use them, you needed children or

grandchildren to guide you. Now all of us are adept with technology in one form or an-

other – we may not know everything there is to know however, we manage more and

more on our own.

Conquering technology is/was a challenge and we did it!

What if we applied the same technique to our Jewish knowledge, our Jewish learning

and increased our capacity to live an engaged, vital and vibrant Jewish life!

No longer can we say…well I don’t know how to do Shabbat – to make challah, do a

Shabbat dinner, say all the Shabbat prayers, etc.

Copy and paste this link:

http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/shabbat

In this article is almost everything you need to know on how to do Shabbat. It is a be-

ginning to be as at home with being Jewish as it is using your Smartphone. Try it! I

know that you will like it.

Rabbi Len Zukrow

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FROM THE PRESIDENT . . .

Were you there?

Last year, after our first Purim-Palooza, that question was frequently asked. The

event was wildly successful and there was quite a lot of positive buzz in the weeks that

followed. Those who didn’t attend really missed out on a great time. The good news is

that those of you who were not there in 2013 can come this year. Our second annual

Purim-Palooza is on Saturday, March 15th at 6pm.

Temple Beth-El has many events that geared toward worship, education, and

spirituality. Purim-Palooza is an event that focuses more on having fun, getting to know

each other better, and an adult night away from the kids. Check out the flyer included in

the bulletin for all the details. This adult’s only event is free to members who sign

up before March 1st, so please call the office and RSVP.

Purim-Palooza is only one of the exciting events going on at Temple. We contin-

ue to have engaging Friday night guest speakers, Adult Education programs, and other

programs such as the Clergy Institute. Check out our calendar of events, pick some-

thing that seems interesting, and come join us! Maybe you will be the one asking;

“Were you there?”

Shalom,

Matthew

Special Dues

Thanks to all of you who have committed to our above-standard dues levels. Without

voluntary dues increases we would fall short of our revenue needs for the year. If you

have not yet made the commitment to one of the categories listed below, please con-

sider increasing your dues pledge for 2014.

Benefactor (2 times above Standard Dues or greater)

Guardian (36% above Standard Dues)

Pathfinder (18% above Standard Dues)

Those who commit to one of the special categories will be honored and recognized a

number of times throughout the year in our monthly bulletin beginning April 2014.

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NEWS FROM BROTHERHOOD Paul Mesirow, President

The Brotherhood Date Night Out was a rousing success, with almost 20 people

joining to enjoy dinner at Theo’s on Saturday, February 22. I know everyone had

a great time and delicious food too!

In other news, we have an excellent and timely meeting planned for Monday,

March 10, at 7 PM. This will be a financial news meeting, with information about

tax changes, and financial and estate planning. Our subject matter experts are

Alan Lahn and Stuart Friedman. Each will make a short presentation, and then

we’ll open the floor for questions, with Paul Mesirow as the moderator. Coffee

and dessert will be served.

We will reprise a very well attended event from last year, the GARDENING TIPS

BREAKFAST, featuring our friend, Butch Zandstra. This will be Sunday, April 6,

at 10 AM at Temple, space to be determined.

We’re also working on the matzo fry demonstration with our member Michael

Brody on April 13, and a trip to the Illinois Holocaust Museum with the Sunday

School children of 6th grade and up later in April, on the 27th. If you aren’t al-

ready a member of Brotherhood, you’re missing out – JOIN US!!!

Paul Mesirow

Temple Beth-El is accepting donations for CAMP CAR

Camp CAR is for underprivileged children in grades 3 and 4 from inner-city Chicago. It is planned and staffed by teen participants and adult staff from NFTY. Camp will be held at OSRUI during Memorial Day Weekend. Our theme is “Wishes Really DO Come True!” We are collecting clothing for third and fourth graders (sizes are 8 – 10, some 6x and some 12 – 14). This clothing could be anything from shirts, pants, underwear, socks, shorts & sweatshirts. All clothing should be new or very gently used.

Thank you for helping make camp happen!

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SISTERHOOD NEWS Carrie Morris, President

Save the Dates:

Friday, March 7 Sisterhood Shabbat

Sunday, March 30 Sisterhood luncheon and craft making, 12:30 pm (open to all

women and students)

Sunday, April 6 Women’s Seder, 2:00 pm

Tuesday, April 15 Congregational Seder, 5:30 pm

Sunday, June 8 Sisterhood Closing Luncheon, 1:00 pm

Tuesday, September 9 The Original “Smart Chicks and Old Bags”

Our Sisterhood Shabbat is rapidly approaching. Our speaker will be Rabbi Ari Moffic, Director,

InterFaith Family/Chicago. She has a special interest in working with interfaith couples and

families.

On Sunday, March 30 at 12:30 pm, Sisterhood will be having a luncheon and craft event. We

will be making paper beads with Pam Sussman. We have done this in the past and it was great

fun. The event will be $12 for Sisterhood members and $14 for non-members. Please RSVP

no later than March 24, 2014 to the Temple office. No reservations will be accepted after

that date.

Our annual Women’s Seder will be held on Sunday April 6 at 2:00 pm. The cost will be $15

for adults and $12 for students. I would like encourage all of our Temple women and their

friends to attend.

Did you ever wonder how bagels are made? Sisterhood will be sponsoring a demonstration by

Dr. Michael Brody on how to make bagels. This event will be open to Temple members but

space will be limited. Date to be determined.

We are always looking for a few good people (doesn’t have to be women) to host an Oneg.

Contact Barbara Bame or Annette Steinberg to choose a date.

When making a donation to Temple for any occasion, think about the Leslie Denmark (in-house

goods such as furniture) or Millie Greenwald (kitchen supplies) funds.

The gift shop is open whenever the office is open and if you wish to shop after services or on

Sunday mornings, there is always someone there to help you. We will be receiving a fresh or-

der of frozen fish very soon. So if you need some Omega-3, stop in and make your purchase.

Just another reminder to keep saving your gently used handbags and costume jewelry for The

Original “Smart Chicks and Old Bags”. We will let you know when you can bring them to Tem-

ple and if you are available, we can always use your support during the summer to organize the

bags and jewelry.

Let’s hope March comes in and goes out like a lamb.

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS Francie Gerson, Facilitator

Just because we’ll have Spring Break in March, we still may have winter snow around.

That didn’t stop us from having several scheduled programs in February. Our 5/6th

graders had a wonderful time at OSRUI while attending the Small Congregations 5/6th

grade retreat. We took 8 kids which was the largest contingency of the total 28 kids.

We hosted the combined (CBI & TBE) Hebrew/Pizza program, and led the Family Wor-

ship service on a Saturday morning. Thank you to all the students and parents for all

their participation and help.

Again, OSRUI will be the destination for a pre-youth group NFTY Kallah for some of our

students the first weekend in March. Sunday, March 9th will again be our GOOD

DEEDS DAY for our 6 – 9th graders. More information will be forthcoming. The last

Sunday session before Spring Break (March 16) will be a community Purim celebration

hosted by CBI. Some of our children will represent TBE in a special performance during

that morning.

Our Family Worship service will be Friday, March 21, when our 7/8th graders will

present the D’Var. The rest of the religious school students will participate, along with

the junior choir.

Speaking of PURIM…Every one of our students participated in the OPERATION

PURIM program, sponsored by the Federation, AND the donation was covered by a

very generous family. This program sends PURIM BASKETS (Shalach Manot) to Israeli

soldiers who will not have the opportunity to celebrate Purim at home. How special for

this TBE family to help instill in our students the act of kindness.

Just a reminder…NO Hebrew school Sunday, March 23, Wed. 26th or Sunday, the

30th along with NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on the 23rd and 30th.

Francie

Temple Beth-El Adult Education Offering

Topic: Afterlife

When: Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

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March 2014

Torah Study Sessions

Shabbat AM – Saturday March 1 & 15

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Snacks included with the opportunity to

learn, meet with Temple friends, have fun.

See you there!

Adult/Family Education Thursday March 27 7PM

Passover 101

Everything you want to know about

Passover and MORE!

Join Rabbi Zukrow and have all your questions

about Passover answered!

Israel Trip – Sunday March 30 11:30 AM

Important Meeting with Ari Merom, Vice-President of Vared Sharon Tours – Trip

Planning Update Meeting!

All trip participants are requested to at-

tend as this will be our last opportunity to

meet with Ari before we travel to Israel.

There IS still time to join us if you want to

have an experience of a lifetime.

Rabbi Zukrow to attend National Reform Rabbi’s Meeting

Please note that Rabbi Zukrow will be out of the office March 30 –

April 2 to attend the annual meeting of the Central Conference of

American Rabbis. As always, if needed Rabbi Zukrow can be

reached by cell phone 219 595 9245 when he is away.

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“Purim Palooza Take 2”

What better way to spend Purim than at Temple Beth-El??? Come join us on Satur-

day, March 15 for a fun night of music, dancing, games, dinner and martinis. Last

year's event was a huge hit and this year's is going to be even bigger and better!!!!

What is even better is that it is free as long as you RSVP to Temple. Can't wait to see

you there!

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Upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah

March 8, 2014, 10:00 AM – Zachary Triumph

My name is Zachary and I am 12 years old. I live in Crown Point and

attend Taft Middle School. My parents are Mike and Naomi Triumph

and I have an older brother, Tyler. My favorite subjects are math and

social studies. I play trumpet in the school band and I am an avid

reader. In my free time, I enjoy playing Xbox with my friends, playing

on my iPod, and watching my favorite TV show Futurama. I like to

play competitive board games, especially Mahjong with my Bubbe on

Sundays.

As part of my service project, I am collecting donations for the Mun-

ster Cancer Resource Centre. Here are some of the items they need;

Chapstick, Kleenex, hard candy, Sensodyne toothpaste, soft bristle

tooth brushes, writing journals, and knitting supplies (yarn, #10 knit-

ting needles, and fleece materials). Thank you in advance for your

support of my project. I am really looking forward to my Bar Mitzvah

on March 8, 2014.

April 12, 2014, 5:00 PM – Jill Cuvala

Jill Cuvala will be called to the Torah on Saturday, April 12 at Temple Beth-El.

Jill is the daughter of Sherri and Ken Cuvala and sister to Michael. She is the

granddaughter of Joann and Bill Braman and Dolly Dexter. Jill is a 7th grade

honor student at Wilbur Wright Middle School and a member of the dance

team.

Jill was very touched by a visit to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. She was especially moved by the deaths of all of the innocent chil-dren…children that would never be able to celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. After seeing the pile of over 4000 shoes that belonged to the innocent victims, Jill decided to collect new and gently used shoes for her Mitzvah project. The shoes will be donated to local organizations in memory of those who lost their lives and in honor of all of the children that perhaps never owned a new pair of shoes. Jill enjoys dance, dance, and more dance, hanging out with her friends and spending time at the beach. She would like to thank everyone that helped to support her project.

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March Worship at a Glance

March 7 Erev Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. March 14 Erev Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. (Purim Shabbat) March 21 Potluck dinner, 6:00 p.m. followed by service March 28 Erev Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m.

March Torah and Haftarah Readings

March 7 VaYikra Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 Isaiah 43:21 – 44:23 March 14 Tzav Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 Jeremiah 7:21 – 8:3

Jeremiah 9:22, 23 March 21 Shemini Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 II Samuel 6:1 – 7:17 March 28 Tazria Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 II Kings 4:42 – 5:19

March Onegs

March 7 March 14 March 21 March 28

Sisterhood Barbara Klawans

Ruth Young

FWS Laura Fletes

Loretta Levin

March Music Schedule

March 7 March 14 March 21 March 28

Kristin & Terri

Adult Choir

FWS: Jr. Choir

Nancy Friedman

Monthly Board Meeting

Tuesday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.

Deadline for April 2014 Bulletin Articles

Thursday, March 20, 5:00 p.m.

Save the Date Women’s Seder - Sunday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Annual Congregational Seder – Tuesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m.

See Reservation forms at the end of the bulletin

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Afternoon Book Discussion

The next Temple book discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 1:30 pm in the Ber-

tha and Dan Rabin Library. You're invited to read Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin.

"Rural Mississippi in the 1970s was rife with racial tension, but skin color didn’t matter to boyhood

companions Silas Jones and Larry Ott. Silas, the son of a poor, single black mother, and Larry, the

child of white lower-middle-class parents, were both outsiders, Silas because of his color, Larry be-

cause he was quiet and a little odd, his nose always buried in horror novels. The young men’s bond

strengthened over time, until the night a pretty local girl went on a date with Larry to the drive-in mov-

ies and was never heard from again. No body was found and Larry never confessed, but that didn’t

keep the townspeople from suspecting him. Estranged from his friend, Silas heads off to college in

Oxford, Mississippi, and more than 20 years later, returns to take a job as town constable. He sees

no reason to contact Larry, who’s settled into a lonely existence as a mechanic, unable to escape the

relentless whispers and dirty looks. The disappearance of another girl brings the two former friends

back together, forcing them to come to terms with buried secrets and dark truths. Edgar Award winner

Franklin (Hell at the Breech, 2003) renders luminous prose and a cast of compelling characters in this

moody, masterful entry." (Booklist, September 10, 2010)

Copies of the book are available in the Temple office and at the Munster Branch Library (8701

Calumet Avenue). Newcomers to this Temple activity are warmly invited.

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YAHRZEIT

MARCH

OBSERVED MARCH 7/8

3/2 Adolph Schlesinger

Mildred Shapiro

Paul Sternberg

3/3 Theodore Levin

Ben Rosen

3/4 John Hudacin

Leon Kaplan

3/6 Dr. Leo Arkin Albert Maslied 3/7 Meyer Lahn Jacob Shapiro 3/8 Joseph Hirsch Bertha Williams

OBSERVED MARCH 14/15

3/9 Vernon Kraus

3/10 Helen Berger Lillian Friduss

Simon M. Leopold Hugo Morris

3/11 Ann Liberman Benjamin Smith 3/12 Abram S. Goodfriend

3/13 Samuel Browe Joseph Kraus Julie Linker 3/14 Pearl Martin Jacob Schlesinger 3/15 Elias Janco

OBSERVED MARCH 21/22 3/16 Minnie Ottenheimer 3/17 Neal Radbel Robert Rosenthal 3/18 Jack Fogelman Isadore Farbstein David Posner Aaron E. Seitzick

3/19 Harolyn “Honey” Goldenberg 3/20 Irving B. Hoffman Bernhardt Leopold 3/21 Jose O. Cura Harry Deitz Sara Feil Helen Arkin Lynn Daisy Robinson 3/22 Hyman Cranberg Stanley Lazan

OBSERVED MARCH 28/29 3/23 Marty Ablin Dennis J. Wodarski 3/25 Marvin Feinberg 3/26 Elizabeth Zmood Kohn

3/27 Rae Given Stanley Stevens David Taub

3/28 Helen Freedman 3/29 Arthur Greenberg Harold Weiss

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MAZEL TOV MARCH

Happy Birthday 3/3 Judith Lecyk 3/4 Shirley Deutsch Rabbi Michael Stevens 3/6 Jill Berry Sydney Kaplan Barbara Mintz Ariel Stern Adam Weingard 3/8 Lester Blumberg Ben Dodge Elizabeth Morantz Lori Sugarman 3/9 Landri Drude Marsha Gill 3/11 Sam Coltun Robert Guiden Alex Pinkus Honora Saks 3/12 Brian Tepper 3/13 Rachel Front 3/14 Zachary Triumph

3/17 Hillary Bade 3/18 Dr. Michael Brody Adriana Front Michael Stern 3/19 Lisa Saks-Knestrict 3/21 Riley Harris 3/22 Annette Fingert Ephraim Lee 3/23 Sharon Maslov 3/25 Susan Zweig 3/26 Dr. Samuel Farbstein 3/27 Dr. Lauren Hoffman 3/28 Kathie Young 3/29 Brooke Berry 3/30 Veronica Graham-Diaz 3/31 Adam Lahn

Anniversaries 3/15 Helen & Jerry Gold 3/17 Mary & Matthew Fefferman 3/25 Alana & Andy Drude 3/27 Nina & Joe Blumberg

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OUR TEMPLE FUNDS

To contribute to Temple Funds, send your name, name of fund, reason for donation, and card recipi-ent’s name and address, along with payment to the Temple office.

GENERAL FUND

Carole Brookins in memory of Rachel Glueck Thomas & Marsha Bukowski in memory of Anne Dean Maxine Hyman in memory of Irving Hyman Iris Morris in memory of Dr. Sandford Gaylord Louise Jackson in appreciation Don Webb in memory of Eugene Webb

FLORAL FUND

Howard & Barbara Bame in memory of Alex T. Bame Michael & Sheila Shaykin in honor of the birth of Elaine & Allan Sherman’s

great granddaughter Lola Michael & Sheila Shaykin in memory of Joyce & Allan Greenspon’s sons

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FUND

Howard & Susie Marcus in memory of Tillie Marcus

HURST CAMP FUND

Lauren Lewis-Gladish in memory of Melba Kroll

RABIN LIBRARY FUND (*DENOTES INSCRIBED BOOK)

Ro & Alan Lahn in memory of Floyd Bornstein

GREENBERGER MUSIC FUND

Myrna & Sy Sarowitz Mazel Tov to Kristin & Mark Stern in honor of their daughter’s engagement

All contributions to Temple Beth-El are greatly appreciated. Please consider any of our funds to honor and remember family members and friends. Your gifts advance the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund and the work of Temple Beth-El to service the needs of our members and community.

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Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Elizabeth Ackerman in appreciation Barbara & Howard Bame in appreciation Cynthia & Raphael Ostrovsky in appreciation Myrna & Sy Sarowitz in honor of Pat & Jerry Janco’s anniversary Julia Wodarski in memory of Dennis J. Wodarski

SISTERHOOD FUNDS

Please contact the Chairs of these funds directly to make a donation. Thank you.

MILLIE GREENWALD KITCHEN FUND

Contact Annette Steinberg at 219/922-6620

Miriam Marcus & Michael Nirenberg in memory of Barbara Browar Iris Morris wishing Rabbi Emeritus Michael Stevens a very

Happy Birthday

LESLIE DENMARK SISTERHOOD FUND

Contact Kristin Stern at 219/931-3873

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Courtesy Announcements

Jewish Federation Community Building, 585 Progress Avenue in Munster The Adult Friendship Club - also known as the AFC- is a long-standing program of Jewish Commu-nity Services. This program provides the opportunity for senior citizens to gather for a meal and meaningful social interaction. Every Monday and Wednesday, Jewish Community Services provides nutritious meals prepared fresh in our Kosher kitchen by a staff chef. Luncheons include engaging entertainment and great speakers. Transportation is also available. Contact Carol Szaks at 219/922-4024 for details. K'Ton Ton Preschool Programs - K'Ton Ton, an excellent private preschool for toddlers through pre-K, provides education of the whole child through language and play. K'Ton Ton is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The school offers a warm, nurturing environment and a character-building curriculum. Programs include: Mommy 'N Me for children and their parents or childcare providers; Me Too! for two-year olds; K'Ton Ton; Pre-Kindergarten Enrich-ment; Kamp K'Ton Ton. Registration is now open for fall programs. Contact roseanne@federationonline.org or call 219/922-4024. Manna Cabana - Jewish Community Services maintains an important regional food pantry. Every item brought in as a donation to the Manna Cabana food pantry is delivered directly into the hands of a needy person who depends on your donations. If your congregation is seeking a community ser-vice opportunity, contact Carol Szaks to discuss how you can work with the Jewish Federation to help out right here in Northwest Indiana. SOUP AND CINEMA: PLAYOFF, Thursday, March 20, 2014, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Join us for fresh hot soup at 6:00 p.m. followed by our feature film at 6:30 p.m. For details, contact chairperson Gloria and Herb-Weissman or Merrill Yalowitz at 219-922-4024. Our February, March and April films are facilitated by Community Shaliach Mor Rintzler.