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Friday, April 2 Shabbat of Passover 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Special Torah Reading for Shabbat Chol HaMoeid Pesach

Sunday, April 4 Last Night of Passover 7:00 p.m. Festival & Yizkor Memorial Service

Friday, April 9 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Shemini, Lev. 9:1 – 11:47

Saturday, April 10 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service and Torah Study

Friday, April 16 6:45 p.m. KIDZ Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service* Torah Reading: Tazria/Metzora,

Lev. 12:1 – 15:33

Friday, April 23 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Acharei Mot/Kedoshim,

Lev. 16:1 – 20:27

Friday, April 30 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Emor, Lev. 21:1 – 24:23

Friday, May 7 Youth Group Shabbat and the Dedication of the Jonathan S. Train Youth Lounge 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service led by current & former members of COFTY Torah Reading: Behar/Bechukotai,

Lev. 25:1 – 27:34 * Childcare available. Please contact the Temple office for details.

APRIL WORSHIP SERVICES

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

“KOL T.O.L.” — THE “VOICE OF THE TREE OF LIFE”

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2010 / NISAN – IYAR, 5770

The BIG NOSH Information 2-4

From the Rabbi 4

Religious School 5 & 6

Temple News 7

Purim Pictures 8

Sisterhood & Brotherhood 9

Sisterhood Bulb Order Form 10

Member News 11

Community News 12

Yahrzeits & Bimah Flowers 13

Contributions 14

Calendar of Events 15

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

It’s here! The biggest event of the year!

The first annual event celebrating “everything Jewish.”

THE BIG NOSH Tree of Life Jewish Cultural Festival

Sunday, April 25, 2010 11 a.m – 7:00 p.m. MAKE CHALLAH, BITE A KNISH, BLOW A SHOFAR, DANCE THE HORA.

See inside for more information on festivities, food, pre-orders, and entertainment, as well as

sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. We need your help to make The BIG NOSH a success! See you at Temple!

bignosh.org

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The BIG NOSH is coming! The BIG NOSH is coming! The BIG NOSH is coming!

The BIG NOSH TOL’s First Annual Jewish Food and Cultural Festival

Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The BIG NOSH celebrates “everything Jewish” and venerates the rich cultural diversity of Columbia and our local community. No finer way exists than to rejoice through music, dance, shopping, socializing, food and culture. We hope you, the Tree of Life Congregation, are es-pecially proud of this cultural festival. We are hoping to welcome 2,000 people at the event. The BIG NOSH’s success depends on you, our members, to help set up for the festival, cook and work the day of the event.

WE NEED YOUR COOLER/ICE CHEST! We would like to borrow your cooler for The BIG NOSH. Please drop your cooler off at Temple anytime between April 19 and April 24. Make sure your name is written on the cooler so it can be returned to you. Thank you for your help!

We need volunteers for the following OUTSIDE areas: Deli Foods, Taste of Israel, Potato Pancakes, Runners, Children’s Area, Outside Jewish Arts and Crafts, and the Beverage Area (beer, wine, soft drinks and water). We need volunteers for the following INSIDE areas: Sanctuary, Indoor stage and Social Hall, and Kitchen

Staff. If you would like to cook please contact Joy Parks at 803-782-8260 or neiljoyparks@earthlink.net. The shifts begin at 10:30 am and will be 2 to 4 hour shifts. Please let us know how many hours you can work and which times work best for you. We look for-ward to hearing from EACH of you as you come forward to support your temple. The Tree of Life needs you NOW. Please contact Annette Goldstein at agoldstein@sc.rr.com or 803.787.1652 to volunteer to work on Saturday, 4/24/10 and/or Sunday, 4/25/10.

The BIG NOSH – it’s food, fun, entertainment, all things Jewish and….SHOPPING! Yes, among the many activities at our Temple’s April 25 event, we will have a shopping area full of vendors selling unique gifts, jewelry, art, accessories, clothes, dolls, and more. Be sure to come and stop by the ven-dors’ booths on the day of The BIG NOSH. There will be something for every-one! On board so far are: Bookmarks, Entertaining at Home, Sugar Cookies Dolls & Jewelry, Libby Fleming Coynor - Studio Jewelry, mc studio glass, Nana by Sally, Silpada Jewelry, Steve’s Backporch Workshop, HelloEvery-Wear, Scrappin’ Creations, Monogram It!, Boogie Shoes, VIP Exclusives, and more to come!

PARKING NOTICE: Please note that there will be NO PARKING at the Temple on the day of The BIG NOSH. Volunteers as well as the public will be asked to park at Dent Middle School and at the Comedy House (at the corner of Trenholm and Decker). There will be a free shuttle to bring people to and from Tree of Life. Handi-capped parking only will be available at the Temple.

KIDS’ STUFF: We are very excited about all the fun ac-tivities specifically for kids! There will be 5 incredible inflatables, arts & crafts activities, and a real live camel to meet. The BIG NOSH will be fun for the entire family!

WHAT TO NOSH AT THE BIG NOSH BUBBE’S KITCHEN: Brisket, corned beef, stuffed cabbage, kasha, kugel, tzimmes, latkes, chicken soup, cabbage soup, chopped liver, and more favorites THE NEW YORK DELI: Corned beef, pastrami, and brisket sandwiches, kosher hot dogs, & knishes TASTE OF ISRAEL (Kosher/Vegan): Falafel, hummus, & Israeli salad LATKE LAND: The best potato pancakes ever! BAGEL CAFÉ: Bagel and a shmear of cream cheese COFFEE KLATCH: Homemade Desserts (rugelach, cheesecake, mandlebrot), plus coffee & tea BEVERAGES: Egg creams, soda and water, as well as beer and wine

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TOL’s 1st Annual Jewish Cultural Festival

April 25, 2010

PRE-ORDER MENU

Sponsored and cooked with love by Tree of Life Congregation

All Items will be packaged refrigerated.

Pre-Orders can be picked up during festival hours, but parking will be limited.

Please return this order form with your check payable to Tree of Life Congregation by Friday, April 9 to:

Tree of Life Congregation 6719 North Trenholm Road

Columbia, SC 29206

Name_________________________________ Phone Number: ______________ Check # ________

Express Pre-Festival Pickup Orders with quick on-site 10 minute parking will be available from 9am - 10:30am on the day of the festival. We recommend you avoid the crowds and pick up your orders early!

Looking for a sandwich or a blue plate special?

Item Price Qty. Total

Quart of Bubbe’s Chicken Soup with Matzah Balls $7.00 Quart of Rabbi Marcus’ Special Cabbage & Beef Soup $7.00

Stuffed Cabbage (package of 4) $8.00

Noodle Kugel (9x9 pan) $15.00 Beef Brisket (pound) $12.00

Kosher style Corned Beef (pound) $12.00

Kosher style Pastrami (pound) $12.00 Chopped Liver (pound) $7.00

Knish (each) $3.00

Rugelach (dozen) $12.00 Challah $4.00

Ed’s famous Apple Strudel (whole) $12.00

Homemade Cheesecake $25.00 Total

PRE-ORDER MENU

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FROM THE RABBI

ARE YOU READY FOR A NOSH? By Rabbi Daniel M. Sherman

By the time you read this column, there is a good chance that you will either be sick of noshing on matzah or thankful that another Passover has come and gone. [Don’t forget: we will begin the last day of Passover with a special service on Sunday evening, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. The service includes Yizkor, as we remember our loved ones who have died this year as well as all of those whom we especially miss as we celebrate Passover.] I always look forward to Pesach, but let’s be honest: matzah tastes best on the first day of Passover. So you must be think-ing about meals to look forward to after the conclusion of our Festival of Freedom. Good news: The BIG NOSH is only a couple of weeks away, and there is great Jewish food to get excited about. When it comes to The BIG NOSH, I am excited about the whole event. I think this will be a wonderful opportunity for our congregation. We hope to welcome 2,000 visitors to the Tree of Life on Sunday, April 25. They will be greeted warmly and presented with wonder-ful choices: exciting and interesting music outside under a tent, vendors to shop, delicious food, games as well as arts and crafts for the kids – all before they have even entered the front door of the Temple. Inside there will be even more: our Jewish food court, tours of the sanctuary, cooking demonstrations, information on Israel, and much, much more. Our goal is to give everyone a taste of Jewish life and culture: from how and what we like to eat, to how we sing and dance and play, to how we pray and celebrate our Jewish holidays. Yes, The BIG NOSH is by far our biggest fundraiser of the year – and it comes at a crucial time for us. But it is much more than just that. The BIG NOSH will give us a chance to reach out to our greater community in a way like never before. Put it all together, and I am anticipat-ing a wonderful, amazing event. Hopefully by the time you receive your newsletter, you have already signed up to volunteer and to lend a hand. If not, please do so to-day: we really need your help. So many people have already worked for several months on our new and improved festival. I want espe-cially to thank The BIG NOSH Organizing Committee – Annette Goldstein, Jeff Selig, Howard Weiss, and Joy Parks – for all of their hard work and coordination. A huge TODAH RABBAH also goes to all of the committee chairs and members who are handling the myriad of de-tails of a project this size. To all who are sponsoring the event and to all of our volunteers, I thank you in advance

of what will be a most memorable day in our congre-gation’s history. Other April highlights: I want to remind everyone of our community-wide Yom HaShoah observance on Sunday evening, April 11 at Beth Shalom Synagogue. Details can be found on page 12. This is a very important service, and I hope that the entire Jewish community comes out to take part and to remember. One week later, we move from remembering the Holocaust to remembering the estab-lishment of the modern state of Israel. Sunday, April 18 is Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day, a day to re-member all of those who have lost their lives working for and protecting our Jewish homeland. The following day is Yom HaAtzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day. As we wish Israel a very happy 62nd birthday, we remember the important place Israel occupies in the heart of every Jew. We offer our continued support and our prayers for peace.

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE BIG NOSH Check out the tentative schedule for

MUSIC & FUN on the Outdoor Stage:

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Jewish Music provided by our DJ 11:30 – 12:00 p.m. “My America” Jewish Concert Series 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Belly Dancing 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Southern Klezmer Band 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. “My America” Jewish Concert Series 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. More Belly Dancing 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Southern Klezmer Band 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Israeli Dancing 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. The Four Fathers Band 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Folk Music with Marvin Bienstock 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. The Four Fathers Band 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Jewish Piano Music with Irina Plotkin 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Sounds of Israel: Alon Segal & Michal Rubin

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Jewish Piano Music with Mira Borabova 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. More Sounds of Israel 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Jewish Music provided by our DJ

In addition, there will be live cooking demonstrations as well as video clips of famous Jews in the movies and on television. Jonathan Leader will lead a shofar-blowing workshop from 2:15 – 2:45pm. Rabbi Sherman will be giving tours and an-swering questions in the sanctuary, along with conducting a sample service and mock life-cycle events for our guests.

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I spent the entire decade between 1970 and 1979 screaming at my Mother. “Mom! Nothing fits!” “Because of you I have red hair.” “Why did you make

me look like this?” Helen Reddy, Billie Jean King, Bella Abzug – not one of those women made me feel any better about the fact that every pair of size 9 pants was a foot too long in length with a waist that was inevitably stuck somewhere around my knees. Even the greatness of Golda Meir could not erase the fact that I did not look like Tricia Nixon.

Contemplating why nothing fit or why I never seemed to fit in seemed to take up a lot of my time and was the main discussion topic with many of my girlfriends. The fact that we all were suffering from the same “I don’t fit in” disease definitely helped us all bond. However, for me at least, that feeling of sisterhood would quickly fade away when, upon looking in the mirror, I knew for certain that I was still the only teenager in the whole world with red hair, freckles and a giant pimple. The kicker was that I had to stand on a stool to even enjoy that vision.

Growing up is never easy, ask any adult. Usually, as soon as the topic of “your middle school or your high school years” is raised, moans and groans are heard. As adults, we gain a sense of perspective, allowing us to understand that our teenage struggle to “fit in” was universally felt by the majority of our peers. And even though we are armed with that knowledge, the same struggle to “fit in” continues into adulthood as we navigate our way through careers, friends, families, department stores and, yes, even synagogues with many of us striving for that “perfect fit.”

Since moving to Columbia seven years ago, I have found a deep sense of comfort and fulfillment being a part of the TOL community. With that thought in mind, I would like to share the 10 reasons why I “fit in” at TOL and why I am proud to be a “TOL’er” (or is it “TOL’ite”?):

Kavod: “Respect” is strongly felt throughout our congregation for all peoples, all Jews and all Jewish traditions.

Emet: “Truth” and honesty is reflected in the work of our rabbi and educators, congregants, our board of directors and committees.

Derech Eretz: A phrase that in English connotes a sense of courtesy, sensitivity and thoughtfulness permeates the air at Tree of Life – in the sanctuary, in the social hall, in the classrooms and even on the playground.

Torah, Avodah, Gemilut Chasadim: The world depends on three things: “learning, prayer and personal acts of loving kindness.” Nowhere is this more evident than at TOL, where Reform Jews are able to affirm and reaffirm the central tenets of Judaism – God, Torah and Israel – while at the same time recognizing that we are God’s partners in improving the world through Tikkun Olam.

Vikuach: At Tree of Life there is room for “healthy argument.” There is a respect for diversity of opinion, discussion and looking for peaceful solutions to problems.

Selicha: Everybody makes mistakes and selicha, the concept of forgiving and being forgiven, is a value that is embraced and upheld in our congregation.

Shmirat haTeva: “Protecting the natural world” and our earth and its environment is a primary concern at Tree of Life.

Simchah: At temple, “joy” fills the halls and there is an appreciation that being Jewish in and of itself is a joyful experience. Eating is also a part of many a “simchah” at Temple. I greatly enjoy this part.

Neshama: Tree of Life exudes “soul.” It is a special quality that defines character, personality and conscience. In many ways, Tree of Life rocks!

Shalom: Our Temple is a center and a refuge of Shalom: “peace, contentment and completeness.”

All of these reasons together make our kehillah, our

community, a very special one for me. I “fit in” to TOL. I am comfortable, happy, intellectually, socially and spiritually stimulated and at ease. Is it a “perfect fit”? After decades of trying on pairs of pants (the “petite section” is cut for those that are 5’4”– and I am only 4’9”), I can most assuredly tell you, that there is no such thing as a “perfect fit.” But I have found a pair of pants or two that, while not perfect, feel absolutely comfortable on me. Tree of Life is my home, a place where I fit in and find comfort around most every corner. During the month of April, the Big Nosh will be on the tip of everyone’s tongue! This is our opportunity to showcase the talents and strength of our TOL community. Please support the congregation and the Religious School in any way you can to help make this endeavor a SUCCESS!

FROM THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

FITTING IN AT TOL By Risa Strauss

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS

IMPORTANT TOL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DATES IN APRIL

4/01: Sisterhood Seder, 6 p.m.

4/02: Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m.

4/04: No Religious School – Spring Break

4/09: Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m.

4/11: No Religious School – Spring Break, TYG activity,

Yom HaShoah Observance at 7 p.m. at Beth Shalom Synagogue

4/16: KIDZ Shabbat, 6:45 p.m. followed by regular Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m.

4/18: Religious School, 9 a.m.

4/23: Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m.

4/23-25: NFTY-SAR Spring Kallah in Jacksonville

4/25: THE BIG NOSH

4/30: Shabbat Services, 7:30 p.m.

5/02: Religious School, 9 a.m.: Lag B’Omer

During this month of April, as Jews, our at-tention turns from the holiday of Passover and our liberation from slavery to the solemnity of Yom

Hashoah – our Holocaust Remembrance Day. On one hand, we joyfully remember our miraculous exodus from Egypt, and, yet on the other, we can never forget the oppression that the Israelites suf-fered at the hands of the Egyptians and the horrors that European Jews suffered in our own time. On April 11 at 7 p.m. at Beth Shalom Synagogue, please join us in a community-wide Yom HaShoah obser-vance. Thank you in advance to students Sarah Brotman, Stephanie Carr, Zackary Kaplan, Ben Kline and Leeam Stein for participating in this ser-vice.

Because of the way the calendar worked out, Religious School will only be in session once during the month. That does not mean that opportunities for learning will only be limited to that day. We will enjoy Kidz Shabbat, Yom Haatzmaut/Israel Inde-pendence Day activities, youth group activities and much, much more! Please note the changes in the

calendar and that even though the Big Nosh is scheduled for April 25 and there is no Religious School, we need you, your support, enthusiasm and spirit!

Todah Rabah to everyone who purchased candy from Barton’s/Miss Chocolate and for sup-porting this Religious School fundraiser. A special “WOW” goes to Shelby Feirstein for selling over $500 in chocolate! Todah Rabah as well to Beth and Ron Maris for their donation of an electric piano to the Religious School, and to Mary Helen Baum for her administrative assistance!

Special thanks to everyone who made Purim and the Model Passover Seder happen! Ey Zeh Yofi to the Brotherhood for all their hard work and their pizza-tossing talents! To Paul Feirstein, Jon and Debra Stombler and Bill Strauss, Todah Rabah for chaperoning our children to the NFTY-SAR Hatik-vah Kallah in Atlanta. And to the Sobel family, thank you for hosting the Grades 1 and 2 Family Life program!

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TEMPLE NEWS

COFTY EVENTS

As the end of the year approaches, COFTY continues to have many exciting and awesome programs! On the weekend of March 12, a total of 11 of our seventh- and eighth-graders at-tended the NFTY-SAR Hatikvah Kallah in Atlanta along with 90 other middle school teens! This month, there is a NFTY-SAR Kallah for our ninth- through 12th-graders in Jacksonville, FL on the weekend of April 24-26. Keep an eye out for other youth group events!

If you have any question regarding the TYG, feel free to e-mail Shayna Bannister at shaynabannister@gmail.com.

LAST DAY OF

PASSOVER SERVICE

Sunday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Come join us for this special festival service marking the last day of Passover. The ser-vice includes our Yizkor Memorial Service (similar to the Yom Kippur Yizkor service), at which we will read the names of all those in our congregation who have died since the

beginning of 5770.

REMINDER: The Temple office will be closed on Monday, April 5 for the last day

of Passover.

YOUTH GROUP SHABBAT & DEDICATION OF THE

JONATHAN SCOTT TRAIN YOUTH LOUNGE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010

We will have a very special Youth Group Shabbat Service on Friday evening, May 7, 2010 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The service will be conducted by members of COFTY – the TOL Temple Youth Group. At services we will also re-member and honor Jonathan Train. Jonathan’s family will be present to help dedicate the Temple Youth Lounge in memory of Jonathan. We would also like to invite former

COFTYites to take part in the evening, especially those who were in Youth Group with Jonathan. At the Oneg Shabbat, we will put up a plaque in Jonathan’s memory and open up the Youth Lounge for everyone to see. A special Oneg Shabbat will follow. Please plan on being part of this special service and ceremony.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

TOL CONFIRMATION SERVICE TO BE HELD ON EREV SHAVUOT – TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Please join us for this special service as we welcome the Festival of Shavuot with our Service of Confirmation, led by the members of the Confirmation Class of 5770.

TOL’S BUCKS BACK PROGRAM

Our strong 2010 campaign continued last month. We earned approximately $145 for TOL from our March Bucks Back order through The Great Lakes Scrip Center. Thanks to those families who participated! Our next Bucks Back order deadline is Mon-day, April 12th. See the new retailers, spe-cials, and permanent rate changes below! All checks need to be in the Temple office by noon. Order forms are outside the Temple office. Orders will be available for pick-up by Friday, April 16th. NEW RETAILERS Neiman Marcus has joined the program and is offer-ing a 12% return to the Temple. Omni Hotels are now available with an 8% return.

SPECIAL DEALS Fashion Bug 8% (until 6/4/10)

CONTRIBUTION RATE CHANGES Dominoes 8% Land's End 16% Shell 2.5% American Eagle Outfitters 10% Remember to mark your calendars for the 2010 Bucks Back Program. The deadline to order is the second Monday of each month. Order forms are available outside the Temple office. Upcoming order deadlines: May 10, June 14,

July 12, and August 9, 2010. Thanks again for your support!

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PURIM FUN!

Grade 8/9 Leadership class working with TOL's Green Team on the Rain-garden

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SISTERHOOD

BROTHERHOOD

April Fitness Ride

Sunday, April 18, the Brotherhood will be coordi-nating a Trek for Fitness bicycle ride. We will be riding a course on Fort Jackson; we can either do a 10- or 20-mile ride with a 15-16 mph pace. All rid-ers are welcome; if you are interested in joining the ride, please let David Carr know at brother-hood@tolsc.org.

July Blood Drive

A request has been made to the Brotherhood to hold another blood drive. We are considering sometime in July. Please send an e-mail to David Carr at brotherhood@tolsc.org if you would possibly be in-terested in giving at that blood drive. This is not a commitment, but we are trying to gauge interest.

TOL Women of Reform JudaismTOL Women of Reform JudaismTOL Women of Reform JudaismTOL Women of Reform Judaism Invite You to Attend Our AnnualInvite You to Attend Our AnnualInvite You to Attend Our AnnualInvite You to Attend Our Annual

Women’s SederWomen’s SederWomen’s SederWomen’s Seder April 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.April 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.April 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.April 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Tree of Life Social HallTree of Life Social HallTree of Life Social HallTree of Life Social Hall

Members:$5Members:$5Members:$5Members:$5 NonNonNonNon----members: $8members: $8members: $8members: $8

If you need a ride, contact Daniela Friedman at (803) 586-0460 or sisterhood@tolsc.org

SISTERHOOD BULB SALE IS UNDERWAY! The 57th annual Tree of Life Congregation Sisterhood Holland Bulb Sale is underway with top quality

# 1 selected bulbs that are guaranteed to bloom. The Tree of Life Sisterhood has been selling Holland bulbs since 1954. Blooms from the Sisterhood grace many personal gardens, patios, and various businesses across

the Midlands and all the Carolinas since mail order is available.

Many different varieties are available and prices vary. Even if you live in an apartment, bulbs grow

beautifully in containers. They also make lovely gifts that last for a long time.

Orders should be placed by May 30, 2010 to ensure delivery by mid-October.

Anyone ordering more that $30 and received by May 15th will receive a free gift of five Van Elk Darwin

Hybrid Tulips.

Proceeds help support the Sisterhood’s many community efforts. Please see the order form on page 10 in the newsletter. For more information call Cheri Alexander at (803) 530-4307 or email cheri-donna@prodigy.net. The order form as well as photos of the flowers can also be found at http://

www.tolsc.org or emailed to you upon request.

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Amy & Rob Scully April 4 Sally & Steven Langer April 9 Caryn & Gregg Helman April 10 Rachelle & David Blackmon April 20 Bonnie & Jonathan Leader April 27 Eleanor & Sidney Hack April 28

MEMBER NEWS

MAZEL TOV

• Mike & Linda Frederico on the birth of their grandson Christopher John. Proud parents are Megan & Tony Frederico of Grafton, MA.

• Rick & Dena Wessinger on the birth of their son Jasper. Jasper was welcomed by big sister Meadow. Grandparents are Ed & Sandy Hertz.

REFUAH SHLEIMA

Get well wishes to TOL members recently hospi-talized or at home recovering: Hal Birch, Dan Davis, Khaya Dobrushkina, Henrietta Farber, Ron Garber, Meri Gergel, Carol Glass, Sandy Hertz, Ann Krauss, Ruth Marcus, Julie Strauss, and Har-riet Tischler

CONDOLENCES TO

• Stephen Friedman & family on the loss of his father, Sam Friedman

• Alvin Steingold & family on the loss of his mother, Charlotte Steingold

• Howard Weiss & family on the loss of his sister, Renee Rollins

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Carole Rothstein April 2 Daniel Sobel April 2 Jennifer Elkins April 3 Peter Blue April 5 Marisa Kornblut April 5 Donald Portnoy April 5 Henry Bedinger April 6 Natalie Peavy April 6 John Vertes April 6 Lucy Westfall April 6 Molly Westfall April 6 Sophie Westfall April 6 Anne Reyner April 8 Brianna Rafferty April 9 Kathryn Shaw April 9 Alice Terner April 9 Lauren Kuperman April 10 David Nudelman April 10 Gwen Sasiene April 10 Journey Stein April 10 Heather Weiss April 10

Jonathan Friedman April 11 Elliott Chartock April 12 Gaynell Gavin April 12 Ericka Johnson April 15 Travis Wheeler April 15 Ariel Brandin April 16 Alan Horn April 17 Carly Kraemer April 17 Katherine Kessler April 18 Maddy Wassermann April 18 Margaret Workman April 19 Sanford Daniel April 20 Sheryl Kline April 21 Jill Carr April 22 Henrietta Farber April 22 Lois Green April 22 Barbara Mazer April 22 Kathryn Rubin April 22 Jerry Euster April 23 Jack Ginsberg April 23 Morgan Sherman April 23

Gail Bienstock April 24 Andrew Levy April 24 Daniel Bannister April 25 Terry Gomberg April 25 Ross Lynch April 25 Muriel Masur April 25 Andrew Wheeler April 25 Charlotte Peavy April 26 Karen Portnoy April 27 Audra Feirstein April 28 Benjamin Kline April 28 Gwynyth Pass April 28 Louis Tedeschi April 28 Hiroko Bowen April 29 David Wallace April 29 Gabi Baker April 30 Bryce Oberman April 30 Arline Polinsky April 30 David Richman April 30 Shu-Mei Richman April 30

HONOR ROLL

We salute and thank our wonderful volunteers! Office – Mary Helen Baum, Ann Gaton, Sandy Hertz, Scarlett Nolen Hospital Calls – Sandy Hertz Library – Alvin Steingold

Unveiling of the Stone for Lilyan Picow

Sunday, April 18 at 11:30 a.m.

Arcadia Lakes Cemetery

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COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY YOM HASHOAH MEMORIAL SERVICE

Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Beth Shalom Synagogue

On Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. our community will come together at Beth Shalom Synagogue to commemorate Yom HaShoah – our Holocaust Memorial Day. This annual service is an important event for the entire community as we promise never to forget. Our featured guest speaker this year will be T. Moffatt Burris. Mr. Burris, a native of Anderson, SC and former member of the SC House of Representatives, will share his experiences as an army officer who helped liberate the Wobblin Concentration Camp near Hamburg. As part of its mission, the Columbia Holocaust Education Committee collaborated with the State Museum to produce a 12-panel visual display of Midlands Holocaust survivors and libera-tors, which chronicles the history of the Holocaust. This exhibit, entitled “Holocaust Remembered,” will be on display throughout the month of April at the Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center.

ISRAEL BONDS 2010 COLUMBIA COMMUNITY TRIBUTE RECEPTION

Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Columbia Marriott Hotel

Columbia State of Israel Bonds cordially invites you to attend the 2010 Columbia Com-munity Tribute Reception on Thursday evening, May 6, 2010 beginning with a dessert reception at 7:00 p.m. The event is honoring Heidi and David Lovit, as recipients of the State of Israel’s Gates of Jerusalem Award. Our special guest will be Joshua Matza, President and CEO of State of Israel Bonds. The speaker will be Dr. Michael Bar-Zohar, distinguished Israeli writer, soldier, and former legislator. The event will take place downtown at the Columbia Marriott Hotel (1200 Hampton Street). The cost is $36 per person. Please RSVP by April 26 to 800-752-5649 or rodd.neumann@israelbonds.com.

SUMMER CAMP AT THE KATIE & IRWIN KAHN JCC REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR CAMP CHAVERIM

Camp Chaverim is for ages 2 to 8. Weekly camp sessions begin June 7 and run through August 13, 2010. Camp Chaverim offers one of the most exciting camp experiences in Columbia with lots of fun activities. NEW FOR 2010: Camp Chaverim Extreme for ages 9 to 14. Early bird discounts available through April 15. For more information, please contact Brenna Sparrow at 803-787-2023 x206 or brennas@jcccolumbia.org.

TOL GREEN TEAM UPDATE

RECYCLING Our first load of office paper was sent for recycling in late January, and we also sent a load of batteries for recycling. Thanks to all who brought paper and/or batteries, as well as those who recycled plastic caps. We will be assisting with recycling for the Big Nosh. RAIN GARDEN PROGRESS The 7th and 8th grade Religious School students planted our first two trees and a bush on Tu Bishvat. On February 28, thirteen volunteers plus the 7th and 8th grade students planted 34 more trees and bushes. Volunteers also installed posts for the boardwalk and cleaned up the area. Boardwalk con-struction began on March 7 and is now complete. We are most grateful to everyone for their help. We will be spread-ing more wood chips and installing benches in April.

13

April 2 – Ralph J. Friedman*, Bessye D. Kantor*, Julius E. Love*, Samuel A. Specter*, David L. Slone, Susan Markel Starr*, Celia Foxman*, Jacob Foxman*, Sadie Dickman, Max Kalb, Sophie Revelise*, Joseph Gergel*, Bernard Hupert, Ida Abrams*, Esther Politis, Sarah Young, Woodrow

Emanuel, Henry G. Levkoff*

April 9 – Oscar Brill, Richard Hafter*, Ben Steingold, Boyd Haven Sulser, Barbara Jane Helman*, Elsie Turner, Rose Zellman, Ehrma Beattie, Jane Cypres, Sonia Davis*, Sara Fingerhut, Laura Burnstein*, Samuel Burnstein*, Ethel Dunay*, William P. Green, Benjamin Hack*, Melvin Gergel*, Edith Hunter Krauss*, Harold Markel*, Mitchell Weiner*, Michael S. Blick*, Abe Siskin, Herbert Sobel, Beatrice Stiglitz, Helen Strauss*, Florette Weitzman, John Joseph Alion*, David Frank Browne, Jay J. Duni*, Samuel L.

Sherman

April 16 – Leon W. Love*, MaryJane Workman, Charles F. Donen*, Charles Madoff, Barbara Rosenberg, Rakhil Veytskin, Miriam G. Kohn*, Gabriel Levy, Lenny Volin, Simon Goldenberg,

Bertie Simmons*, Ralph Lerner*

April 23 – Ruth Wilma Farber*, Edward E. Baker, Helen Kohn Hennig*, Francis Oliver Musarra, Roslyn Goodwin, Verna Mooney, Lewis Weinberg*, Pat McGee, Harriet Hoffman, George Julius Mann*, Joseph Marton, Mordie M. Donen*, Joseph Weinberg*, Julius Morris, Alvin H.

Reyner*, Aaron Strasburger*, Harry Zalin*

April 30 – Minnie R. Ackerman*, Samuel Kaplan, David Levin, Anne Wadness Segal, Arthur Silber*, Theresa S. Vineburg*, Samuel Bienstock, Martha Levy, Isaac Simmons*, Leo David Goldblatt*, Yafa Iskhakov, August Kohn, Jr.*, Bess Goldstein*, Diane Klein*, Moe Harts, Herbert Weisberg*, Wilfred Atran, Freidl Bekier, Rebecca

Brenner, Ann Hurwitz, Ida Aroneck*, Jerry Cooper

*name memorialized by a plaque in the sanctuary

YAHRZEITS BIMAH FLOWERS

March 5 Carolyn & Alan Conway, in memory of Sidney Conway Irene & Fred Fields, in memory of Rachele A. Rothfeder Daniela Friedman & Michael Dojc, in memory of Doreen Friedman Lois Rauch Gibson & Jerry Gibson, in memory of Morris Rauch Diane Gomberg, in memory of Gary Gomberg Stan Gomberg, in memory of Elaine Gomberg Stan Gomberg, in memory of Gary Gomberg The Feliks & Sarra Rabinovich family, in memory of Mariya Volfson Joan Tucker, in memory of Beatrice Kapilian March 12 Bessie Garber, in memory of Nathan Brenner Jennifer & Ryan Liss, in memory of Benjamin Shechter Henrietta Farber, in memory of Harold Schleider Rabbi Sanford & Ruth Marcus, in memory of Harold Schleider Peggy, Jeff, & Danny Miller, in memory of Paul B. Snyder Marvyn Milman, in memory of David Milman Harriet Posner, in memory of Kate Posner Rob, Amy, & Matthew Scully, in memory of Kate Posner Jerry Rothstein, in memory of Mary Rothstein Jan Rivers, in memory of Grier Park March 19 Winnie & Todd Jacobs, in honor of Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah Julie & Marc Berger, in memory of Arline Wander Carolyn & Alan Conway, in memory of Arline Wander Carolyn & Alan Conway, in memory of Myron Wander Nard & Pam Fleischman, in memory of Marian Fleischman Lois & Jerry Gibson and Dave & Nancy Gangemi, in memory of Mike Sigel Stuart Goodwin, in memory of Sidney & Roslyn Goodwin Joanne Hafter, in memory of Julius Jastrow Harriet Posner, in memory of Elliott Posner Rob, Amy, & Matthew Scully, in memory of Elliott Posner Annette Goldstein, in memory of James Masur Muriel Masur, in memory of James Masur Barbara & Bill Rast, in memory of James Masur The Reyner family, in memory of William S. Reyner March 26 Nard & Pam Fleischman, in memory of Elic Hyman Ann Gaton, in memory of Rose Silk Gaynell Gavin & Charles Geffen, in memory of Dorothy Haegele Gerald & Arline Polinsky, in memory of Edward Furman Alice Terner, in memory of Goldie Hoffman Joan Tucker, in memory of Irving Schwartz Howard Weiss, in memory of Nancy L. Weiss

Correction from the March issue:

Ned Strauss’s business partner for the TOL Gold Rush

Fundraiser is Joey Daniels.

14

ONEG SHABBAT HOSTS CONTRIBUTIONS

We gratefully acknowledge the following

thoughtful donations:

April 2 – Passover Oneg Chair: Michelle Bowen, Lance & Barri Thompson, Svetlana Tsukhay & Anzhelika Jik-hadze, Andrew & Mindy Tucker, Joan Tucker, John & Alissa Vertes, Boris & Jane Veytskin April 9 – Chair: Scott Kaplan, Andy & Jeanne Volin, Frank & Barbara Volin, Igor & Irina Volynets, Abe & Lois Wandersman, Richard & Nancy Wassermann, Pamela Weiss & Murray Mitchell April 16, 2010 – Chair: Todd Weiss, Todd & Heather Weiss, Howard Weiss, James & Dena Wessinger, Hugh & Sara Wheeler, Michael & Valerie Wheeler, Travis & Lisa Wheeler April 23, 2010 – Chair: Deb Tedeschi, Paul & Elisa Westfall, Margaret Workman-Valentine, Shawn & Teresa Berez Youngstedt, Suzanne Abrams-Ash Roper, Allan & Linda Ackerman, Cheri & Allen Alexander April 30, 2010 – Parents of Kitah Alef students Note: If you are unable to bake or purchase Oneg Shabbat

refreshments you may donate $20.00. Homemade goods are

always preferable. Checks need to be sent to the temple office

two weeks prior to your Oneg Shabbat date. Thank you for your

support.

General Fund Jacki Baer, in memory of Clara Levin Marcia & Ron Gordenstein, in memory of Clara Levin Marilyn & Carl Hellman, in memory of Eugene Korash Leah Meador

Memorial Plaque Harriet Posner, in memory of Ben Levin Rob & Amy Scully, in memory of Clara Levin

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Marlene Korash, in appreciation

Religious School Fund Anonymous

Religious School’s Neil Cartiff Memorial Fund Bruce & Barbara Becker, Happy Birthday to our wonderful daughter Laura Nancy Cartiff, get-well wishes to Julie Strauss Nancy Cartiff, congratulations to Ned & Julie Strauss on the engagement of their daughter Sarah to Brian Nancy Cartiff, Happy Birthday to Laura Becker Nancy Cartiff, congratulations to Howard Weiss on becoming president of the JCC Nancy Cartiff, congratulations to Richard & Myrna Cohen’s daughter, Melissa, on obtaining her PhD in Audiology

Reyner Fund Carol Reyner Barnett, in honor of Todd Weiss’s birthday

Sisterhood Courtesy Fund Barry & Eleanor Bornstein, in support of Joe, Linda, and Joey Martino at the time of their loss

Jonathan Scott Train Youth Group Fund Rob and Amy Scully, Mazel Tov to the Strauss Family on the engagement of Sarah to Brian Harriet Posner, wishing Julie Strauss a speedy recovery

WRJ SHABBAT SERVICE REPS

April 2 – Donna Magaro

April 9 – Daniela Friedman

April 16 – Jeanne Volin

April 23 – Cheri Alexander

April 30 – Jeannie Rubin

A GREEN REMINDER

RECYCLE!

Please use our office paper recycling

bin at the rear of the building and our

battery recycling and plastic cap bins in

the foyer. Bring old cell phones to the

table outside the office.

15

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Passover

6:00pm

Sisterhood Women’s Seder

2 Passover

7:30pm

Shabbat Service

3 Passover

4 Passover

No

Religious School

7:00pm Passover Service

5 Last Day of Passover

(Temple Closed)

6:30pm Big Nosh

Committee Mtg

6 7 8 9 7:30pm

Shabbat Service

10 10:00am

Shabbat Morning Service & Torah

Study

11 No

Religious School

7:00pm Yom Hashoah Service at Beth Shalom Synagogue

12

6:30pm Big Nosh

Committee Mtg

Newsletter Deadline for May

13 14 6:30pm

Executive Board

7:30pm Board of Directors

15 16 6:45pm

KIDZ Shabbat

7:30pm Shabbat Service

17

18

9:00am Religious School

19 Israel

Independence Day

6:30pm Big Nosh

Committee Mtg

20 21 22 23 7:30pm

Shabbat Service

NFTY-SAR Spring Kallah

@ Jackonsville

24

NFTY-SAR Spring Kallah

@ Jacksonville

25 No

Religious School

11am—7pm

THE BIG NOSH

26 27

7:00pm Sisterhood Board Meeting (library)

28 29 30

7:30pm Shabbat Service

April 2010

16

DIRECTORY

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Endowment………………………………….…Ned Strauss Finance………………………………...………..Peter Kline Fundraising…………………………...…….G. Todd Weiss House & Ground………………..………….…..Andy Volin Membership…………………...……………...Laney Cohen Outreach…………………………………....Debra Tedeschi Religious School Board………………...….Debra Stombler Ritual…………………………….……….…...Terry Garber Security……………..…………………….……………….. Social Action………………………………………………. Temple Youth Group……………………….…..Bill Strauss AFFILIATES Brotherhood President………………………….Brad Smith Sisterhood President..………..……….….Daniela Friedman COFTY President…………………….…..Shayna Bannister TOL NEWSLETTER Design...…..……………………………….Morgan Sherman Proofreader……..………………..…………....Marc Rapport TEMPLE STAFF Office Manager……………………………...Linda Frederico Custodian………………..…………..….....Demitris Gilmore TEMPLE MUSICIANS Music Director……………………...…...…Sharon Witherell Music Director Emeritus………………......…Jackie McNeill

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION Established 1896

6719 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206

Office: (803) 787-2182 Fax: (803) 787-0309

Website: www.tolsc.org Email: tolcong@bellsouth.net

Office Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday 8:30 am – 4 p.m.

Closed daily 12 noon – 1 p.m.

RABBI Daniel M. Sherman rabbisherman@bellsouth.net RABBI EMERITUS Sanford T. Marcus, D.D. Risa Strauss, RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR risatol@bellsouth.net

OFFICERS PRESIDENT………….…………………………….…….Jeff Selig jhselig@bellsouth.net 1ST VICE PRESIDENT…………..……………...Annette Goldstein 2ND VICE PRESIDENT………….………………..…….Ilene King TREASURER………………………..………..….....Howard Weiss SECRETARY…………………………..…...….........Jackie Michel IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT………………….....Amy Scully

BOARD MEMBERS Michelle Bowen Scott Kaplan Julie Strauss Laney Cohen Donna Magaro Debra Tedeschi Richard Cohen Joy Parks Andy Volin Richard H. Cohn Arline Polinsky Paul Westfall Deborah Greenhouse Marc Rapport LIFETIME BOARD MEMBERS Bernard Fleischman, Jr., Stephen Savitz, Howard Weiss

Tree of Life Congregation 6719 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT #121