Rabbi’s Message

KISLEV/TEVET 5775

DECEMBER 2014 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE .............. 2

SISTERHOOD NEWS .................... 3

EVENTS

CALENDAR ............. 11

Temple B’nai Sholom Newsletter Continued on Page 6 – Rabbi

In response to the terrorist attack at the Har Nof synagogue resulting in the deaths of Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, Rabbi Aryeh Kopinsky, Rabbi Calman Levine, Rabbi Moshe Twersky and the heroic sacrifice of Sgt. Major Zidan Seif, the Druze policeman who gave his life preventing the terrorists from causing further harm, I have to say that I was speechless for several days. Every time I thought I knew what to say, I realized that words were not going to be adequate. There is nothing to be said following the death of innocent people, especially while in prayer to God. Yet, a colleague on the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) pointed out on a Facebook page two days later a reminder of what happened in 1994 when a massacre of similar style took place in the cave of Machpelah when a Jewish terrorist killed 29 Palestinians as they prayed and injured 125 people. The Jewish terrorist who carried out this attack was a follower of the Kach movement.1 Rav Kahane was a follower of Rav Soloveitchik, whose writings on self-defense and revenge were later twisted into a fundamentalist interpretation of Jewish law. In a sad twist of history, Rabbi Twersky, one of the grandsons of Rabbi Soloveitchik, was killed in the Har Nof synagogue. The Jewish terrorist action in 1994 was

An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man puts his head in his hands inside a synagogue that was attacked in the Har Nof neighbourhood of Jerusalem on Nov. 18, 2014. Jack Guez Via Getty Images

denounced by Yitzhak Rabin, the then prime minister, who said the terrorist was not a member of the Jewish community. The sad truth is, and was, that he was a part of the Jewish community. The same fundamentalism that took some fifty years to run its disastrous current into the synagogue this past week in Jerusalem is the same type of fundamentalism that is engulfing much of the Middle East today. Many of us have forgotten that there is complexity and plurality in the wonder of life, and turn ourselves inside out believing that there is only one path to truth and violence is the way to enforce it.

Temple Officers Trustees

President Sherman Banks BB Anders Sandra McGuire Vice-President Vacant Barry Berman Don Platt Treasurer Sharon Frost Michael Goodman Michelle Levin

Secretary Blair Eurton Betsy Walczak Past President Larry Banks Sisterhood Representative, Ann van Leeuwen

Greetings Everyone

This has been another busy month, Jonah Weinberger's Bar Mitzvah, visit from Eeki Elner of the Israeli Learning Institute, the IMS Conference, and the fantastic Sisterhood Gala honoring Ed and Darlene Gollop among other things.

We have had a few changes on the Board of

Trustees. First, we have a new Treasurer to replace Andrea Petroff. Sharon Frost will be filling that slot. We have had two resignations. Both Harrison Diamond and Bill Ferguson have been forced to back down due to work commitments. We hate to see them go, but understand how hard it is to balance our lives

these days. I have, with Board approval, appointed Michael Goodman (Yes he is back, isn't that great?) to fill in for Harrison. At this

writing, I haven't gotten a replacement approved for Bill.

The new phone tree will be delayed a few weeks but is on track. In the meantime we are

continuing to use an email service called MailChimp on a temporary basis.

Our Marketing interns from UAH have been busy putting together a new look for our

President’s Message

publications and communications. It was rolled out with the November Temple Times. The theme will be carried over to the Weekly Update, letterhead and other items as time

allows. Let us know what you think.

There will be a December 14th Congregational meeting at 3 PM at the Temple. We will go over the recommendation(s) regarding the Rabbi's contract from the Special Pulpit Committee and the Board of Trustees. I hope every

Temple member can be there.

December will be a busy month. In addition to the routine Shabbat services and Religious School, we'll have the Visiting Artist on the 9th and 10th, Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner on the 12th, Congregational meeting on the

14th, Fry Fest on the 19th, Community Menorah Lighting on the 20th, Botanical Gardens on the 24th and Chinese food on the

26th. Hope I didn't leave anything out. Details of these activities are given elsewhere. Looking forward to seeing whomever can come out.

Mark your calendars! The Community Passover Seder will be on Saturday, April 4th, 2015.

Have a safe and comfortable December.

Last weekend we joined together for the Liz Hurley Run or in our case Walk. We had 11 sign up for the

run. Unfortunately some could not participate, but signed up so that we could have a team of at least

10. Thanks to Renata Limmer, Michelle Banks, Sue Farbman and Jill Smyth for signing up and

supporting us. Thanks to those of you who participated; Celia Cantor, Michelle Lapidus,

Ann van Leeuwen, Vic van Leeuwen, Blair Eurton, and Sandra McGuire.

Sisterhood News

It was a beautiful day, just right for a brisk

walk, and the historic district was a pleasure

to walk through. We laughed, talked, and

were cheered on by on-lookers.

We lost Sandra in the crowd. We waited

until the last minute before our picture.

And, finally thank you to Karen Turbiner for

selling our chi pin at the finish.

Proceeds from the sale were donated to the

Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

November’s Gala was a huge success and just plain fun. How wonderful to have friends together again

in a lovely setting with a fantastic dinner. Darlene and Ed’s son told us about growing up with mom

and dad. How funny. I though it couldn’t get any better until our honorees began what I though was

going to be a speech. I prayed that Ed wouldn’t talk too long, but changed my mind as Darlene and Ed

became our entertainment with a history in words and music of their moving to Huntsville and life at

Temple B’nai Sholom.

Refuah Shlemah

Chuck Campbell, Bobbelise Ceigler, Morley Denbo, Henry Grass, Rachel Green, Heidi Kunitz-Levy, Sara Owen, Ansley Smith, Irene Anderson, Megan Wilder, Jeffrey Wyman, Sharon Wyman, Renata Limmer, Dale Wasserman, Joyce Powell, Debra Linsky, Tina Tarbox.

Please let Rabbi Bahar know if you are sick or if you know of someone who is sick so she may come and visit.

December 5 – 7:00 PM Yahrzeits (November 30 – December 6) Bobette Denbo Simon Lowman Belle Feigl Louis Berman Morris Frank Louis Glaser Sol Kathrins Michael Gilbert Roslyn Klibanoff December 12 – 7:00 PM Yahrzeits (December 7 - 13) Karoline Bruck Seymour Goodman Barbara Denbo Bernice Judin Shirley Diamond Horst Hoehne Julius Koslow Pauline Weinbaum Lydia Adkison Rena Pollock Morris Gerson Morris Klibanoff

December 19 – 7:00 PM Yahrzeits (December 14 - 20) Sidney Grossman Irvin Vatz Solomon Katz Louis I. Miller Gene Rutenberg Rebecca Shulman Rosemary Gelvan Charles Guttman Carrie Parnes Rose Block Morris Freeman Helen Solomonson December 26 – 5:30 PM Yahrzeits (December 21 - 27) Samuel Wagner Sylvia Jupiter Sam Wolin James Cockrell Ben Marks Tess Weinbaum Rose Goodman Ethel Rutenberg Bennett Berman Freida Makower

Services and Yahrzeits

January 2 – 7:00 PM Yahrzeits (December 28 – January 3) Minnie Goldby Kenneth Hood Lillian Tonne Max Hoehne Edith Kass Thelma Midenberg Edith Levey Leo Cohen Edith Eichenholtz Millie Kirshtein Bobbie Miller David Miller Thomas Anderson David Reeves

12/1 Morton and Sylvia Banks

12/23 Les and Lois Gurvey

12/23 Carter Hale & Susan Zlotnick-Hale

12/29 Barry and Eva Berman

12/1 Holly Jess

12/3 Pamela Davis

12/3 Marion Lapidus

12/5 Morgan Lindy

12/5 Morris Scherlis

12/5 Ann van Leeuwen

12/6 Sylvia Banks

12/6 Mona Nakajo

12/8 Raquel Scherlis

12/10 Malcolm Lindy

12/12 Jill Smyth

12/13 Martin Freeman

12/13 Max Ward

12/14 Ronald Elsner

12/16 Alec Kaplan

12/16 Jennifer Nelson

12/17 Jillian Plotka

12/17 Nina Shtessel

12/19 Ellen Michelson

12/19 Jack Smith

12/20 Cheryl Hovanes

12/21 Alayna Hurst

12/23 Susan Goldby

12/23 Clare Grisham

12/24 Rosalind Howard

12/24 Joel Weinbaum

12/25 Joshua Hovanes

12/26 Monica Ward

12/27 Rabbi Bernard Honan

12/27 William Otto

12/27 Rebekka Wilson

12/28 Harrison Diamond

12/28 David Frost

12/28 Philip Kirshtein

12/28 Enjoli Lackey

12/29 Raychel Harmon

12/29 Barbara Lapidus

12/30 Scott Turbiner

12/30 Robert Ward

December Birthdays

December Anniversaries

Onegs Our congregation hosted Friday night Onegs have been wonderful. Thank you to all the members who have

already given an Oneg or selected a date to host. All Fridays are taken until Friday, January 23. Three families

may join together to host a Friday evening Oneg. If you wish to host an Oneg rather than be assessed, please

select your date. To see if the date you select is available, please check the sign up sheet posted outside of the

kitchen or contact Sandra McGuire: 256-881-9362 or sm920@knology.net.

Remember!! If you do not sign up for an Oneg by December 31st, you will see the $75 assessment on your

January statement.

Donations

General Yuri Shtessel In Memory of Boris Shtessel Mike, Clare, Hannah and Max Grisham In Memory of Jack Roberts Alfred Ritter In Memory of Joyce Ritter Carter and Susan Zlotnick Hale In Memory of Nicholas Hale Les and Lois Gurvey In Memory of Baila Block

Rabbi’s Message Continued

Rabbi Discretionary Anne and Danny Owen In Memory of Harvey and Dotty Golden

Goldsmith Endowment Fund Margaret Anne Goldsmith In Memory of Bettie Bernstein Goldsmith Music / Choir Sue Hassett

In Memory of Joyce Grossman and Sidney Grossman

When there is a cycle of violence everyone bleeds and everyone’s blood is red. We read in Leviticus (19:16): “Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.” While it’s comfortable to remain in the bubble in which we exist in Huntsville and look at the violence in Israel as far away, we cannot forget that we are all bound up in bonds with the soul of all Souls. We cannot stand idly by while our neighbors are bleeding and suffering no matter what parts of Jerusalem that comes from. Perhaps soon we will allow our collective heart to break open to the pain of suffering and work creatively to remember

we are all created in the image of God and must be treated accordingly. As we soon enter the darkest time of the year, I am reminded that we are also about to celebrate a holiday that focuses on the miracle of finding light even in those darkest of times. The Sefat Emet teaches: “Especially at this season, when lights were miraculously lit for Israel even though they did not have enough oil, there remains light even now to help us . . . find that hidden light within. . . . we need the candles’ light to seek and to find . . .” When we light the Chanukkiah this year, passing the light and warmth of one candle to another, may we think about how our own actions can also pass light and warmth to those around us. May we have the strength and courage to be able to find the hidden light within not only ourselves as seek out true depths of compassion, but also to see the Divine in the other before us. Uzi, Aiden, David and I wish you a happy and healthy Holiday Season! 1http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/kach.html

Candles are added to the Chanukiah from right to left but are kindled from left to right. The newest candle is lit first (On the Shabbat of Chanukah, kindle the Chanukah lights first and then the Shabbat candles.)

Light the Shamash - the helper candle - first using it to kindle the rest of the Chanukah lights; say or sing:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Chanukah lights.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v'imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.

For first night only:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

Ch

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December Events

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraisers The Huntsville Organization of Temple Youth (HOOTY) is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on the 12th of December in the social hall at 5:00 pm.

Adults - $12 | Kids 3-12 - $8 | Under 3 - Free! Dinner will include: pasta with tomato sauce (with or without meat,) salad, roll, drink, and desert. Wine will be available for $5. More information to follow. For any questions please email huntsvilletbsyouthgroup@gmail.com.

Sisterhood Chanukah Sale The Judaica Shop will be open December 7th 9:00 to 1:00pm and December 14th, 2:00 to 3:00PM and following the Congregational Meeting from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.

Artist-in-Residence Mordechai Rosenstein, a renowned Jewish artist who gives contemporary meaning to the art of Hebrew Calligraphy, will be our Artist-in-Residence Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 pm, Art Becomes Me wine and cheese reception and slide show. Join us on Wednesday, December 10th at 11:30 am for Art is for Any Age. We will learn in depth about Jewish art and create a piece of art while enjoying lunch together. Pre-ordered box lunch is $10.00 per person. Also on the December 10th at 5:30pm is Fascination with the Hebrew Alphabet, a family program and pizza dinner, co-sponsored by NACHaS. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. RSVP to the Temple. 5:30 pm.

Congregational Meeting Our Semi-annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Dec. 14th at 3:00 pm. We will go over recommendations regarding the Rabbi’s contract renewal from the Special Pulpit Committee and the Board of Trustees. We hope everyone will join us.

2nd Annual Hanukkah Fry Fest December 19th at 5:45pm (Details on page).

Community Menorah Lighting December 20th at 5:30pm (Details on page).

Galaxy of Lights Volunteers needed at The Botanical Gardens for The Galaxy of Lights. This is something the Jewish community has been doing so that our neighbors can enjoy spending their holiday with family and friends. If you’d like to join the team, please contact Nancy Fishman: 256.534.2025 or alafish3@comcast.net

Dinner at Ding How Reserve your seat for dinner at Ding How on December 26th following the 5:30pm Shabbat Service. Please RSVP to the Temple office if you will be joining us for dinner.

2nd Annual Hanukkah Fry Fest Where: Temple B’nai Sholom What: Enjoy fresh fried chicken, latkes, salads and more! When: Friday Night December 19 at 5:45pm How Much: $10 suggested donation/family

Chanukkiah Lighting Please join us as we light our Chanukkiah in Big Spring Park Saturday evening December 20 at 5:30pm We will sing, eat donuts and celebrate Hanukkah! If you are interested in joining us for dinner afterward at Pane e Vino please call the Temple Office

Ever want to fry an Oreo? Bring your own Oreos and give it a try! Arts and crafts, face painting, and more! Sponsored by: Temple B’nai Sholom, Popeye’s Chicken and Temple B’nai Sholom’s sisterhood!

Learning to Pray as a Jew Join us for Adult Education Sundays from 11:00-12:00. This class is for those will little or no previous exposure to Hebrew. It focuses on developing the foundation for reading comprehension and a basic Hebrew vocabulary learning the basics of prayer book Hebrew.

Toddler Playgroup Do you have a toddler or young preschooler? Want to meet other Jewish parents? Come join our playgroup! We plan fun, themed activities on a weekly basis throughout the school year. We typically meet from 10-11:30 on Tuesdays, alternating meeting locations between the Temple and people's homes. Email Jennifer Nelson (jlinels@gmail.com) for event details and to get on our Temple B'nai Sholom Young Families email list. You can also find us at http://www.facebook.com/TBSTots. 2015 schedule TBD.

BBYO Update Just wanted to let you all know about what BBYO events are coming up. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our soccer event at the last minute because we were not able to use the field. We are going to reschedule the event for the Spring when it starts to get warmer. So our closest event is a game night on December 4th. It will start at around 6 at Etz Chayim, and we will be playing Taboo and Apples to Apples. It was a lot of fun last time we did it, and it would be great if everyone could make it. The next event after that is on the 14th. We will be helping out with the Etz Chayim latke party, and right afterward we will have a chapter spirit/ convention preparation meeting. We will be making shirts and banners, and it will be fun even if you aren't attending the convention. Thanks, Ethan Smyth.

Artist in Residence

Mordechai Rosenstein

December 9th & 10th

Since 1979, Mordechai Rosenstein started

creating Jewish Art and putting it up in

people’s homes, synagogues, and agencies

throughout the world. In addition, he had the

opportunity to visit many different

organizations and wanted to make sure that

the walls of office buildings are covered with

Jewish Art.

From his studio in his home in Elkins Park,

Pennsylvania, Mordechai creates myriad of

pieces utilizing vibrant colors and flowing

lines that transform the art of Hebrew

calligraphy into a modern day feast for the

eyes.

His unique style evolved as a result of various

influences. He was a member of the first

graduating class of Akiba Hebrew Academy.

While studying at The Philadelphia College of

Art, Abstract Expressionist professor Franz

Kline profoundly influenced Rosenstein. By

uniting his interest in Judaica and painting,

Rosenstein has given a contemporary

meaning to the art of Hebrew calligraphy.

Mordechai feels that “It is very stimulating

and rewarding to interact with members and

communities throughout the country and

develop a rapport with them. He has traveled

throughout the country visiting many states

where synagogues and conventions have

exhibited Rosentstein’s works.

Internationally, audiences in Zurich, Hong

Kong, and London have welcomed

Mordechai, viewing his paintings and

learning from the slide lecture he presents.

He has become one of the leading designers

in the stained glass field. Synagogues all

over the United States have requested

Mordechai to create their stained glass

windows, ark doors, Torah mantles, and

memorial or builders’ walls. In the Summer

of 1990, Camp Ramah in the Poconos

dedicated Mordechai’s first outdoor steel

sculpture in honor of their 40th

anniversary.

“The flowing forms of the letters

have been an inspiration since my

youth.” Mordechai Rosenstein

http://rosensteinarts.com/

Temple B’nai Sholom December

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2

Tuesday Playgroup 10:00am

3 4 5

Tot Shabbat 5:30pm

Service 7:00pm

6

7

Sisterhood Chanukah Sale 9:00-1:00pm

Learning to Pray as a Jew 11:00 am

8

9

Tuesday Playgroup 10:00am

Artist in Residence Art Becomes Me 7:00pm

10

Artist in Residence -Art is for Any Age 11:30am

Artist in Residence -Fascination with the Hebrew Alphabet 5:30pm

Board Meeting 6:00pm

11

12

Youth Spaghetti Dinner 5:00pm

Tot Shabbat 5:30pm

Service 7:00pm

13

14

Learning to Pray as a Jew 11:00am

Judaica Shop 2:00-3:00pm, 4:00-5:00pm

Congregational Meeting 3:00pm

15 16

Chanukah – 1st Candle Lit at Sundown

Tuesday Playgroup 10:00am

17

18 19

2nd Annual Hanukkah Fry Fest 5:45pm

Service 7:00pm

20

Community Menorah Lighting at Big Spring Park 5:30pm

21

Learning to Pray as a Jew 11:00 am

22 23

24

Galaxy of Lights 5:45pm

25 26

Shabbat Service 5:30pm

Dinner after Service at Ding How 6:30pm

27

28

29

30

31

NEW LOOK Tell us what

you think

The Temple Times looks different! We are experimenting with a new format which is being collated and formatted by our UAH Marketing Project group. We hope it is easier to read and gives you the information you need. Please let us know how you like this new look.

Temple B’nai Sholom

PO Box 2463

Huntsville, AL 35804

Registration available at

TempleBnaiSholom.org

Artist Website:

http://rosensteinarts.com

Phone: 256-536-4771 | Fax 256-536-2220 | templemail@knology.net | www.templebnaisholom.org | Elizabeth Bahar, Rabbi

Join us for an experience with renowned Jewish artist Mordechai Rosenstein. By uniting his interest in Judaica and painting, Rosenstein has given a contemporary meaning to the art of Hebrew calligraphy. His vibrant shapes and colors enhance synagogues and homes worldwide. Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00pm ART BECOMES ME, wine and cheese reception and slideshow presentation in the Temple Social Hall

Temple B’nai Sholom’s Joys of Jewish Learning Welcomes

Artist-in-Residence Mordechai Rosenstein

December 9-10