1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

Agudas Achim Congregation
401 E. Oakdale Blvd., Coralville. IA 52241
Phone: (319) 337-3813 Fax: (319) 337-6764
www.agudasachimic.org
November 2014
Cheshvan—Kislev 5775
Schedule of Services
Shabbat Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)
Friday, October 31
Saturday, November 1
7:45 pm Services from Mishkan Tefillah
9:30 am Services from Mishkan Tefillah
Shabbat Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24)
Friday, November 7
Musical Shabbat led my Rebecca Kushner
Saturday, November 8
7:45 pm Services from Mishkan Tefillah
9:30 am Services from Sim Shalom
Shabbat Chaye Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18)
Friday, November 14
New Member Dinner. Please RSVP
Oneg Shabbat Program:
Saturday, November 15
Shabbat Yeladim
7:45 pm Services from Mishkan Tefillah
An evening with Samuel Adler
9:30 am Services from Sim Shalom
10:30 am
Shabbat Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)
Friday, November 21
Saturday, November 22
7:45 pm Services from Mishkan Tefillah
9:30 am Services from Sim Shalom
Rosh Hodesh Kislev
Sunday, November 28th
8:00 am at Hillel
Shabbat Vayetze (Genesis 28:10-32:3)
Friday, November 28
Saturday, November 29
7:45 pm Services from Mishkan Tefillah
9:30 am Services from Sim Shalom
FROM THE PRESIDENT– Vickie Ginsberg
As we begin to transition, we realize that change is a process not an event. Saying goodbye and welcoming the new are
equally important. A transition committee has been formed to assist the congregation during the entire process from
beloved Rabbi Jeff's retirement, through to a settled Rabbi. Keep an eye open for a variety of ways we will be honoring
Rabbi Jeff! The following speeches were delivered during the High Holidays in honor of Rabbi Jeff. They are worth
repeating! Thanks to David Lubaroff, Tom Gelman and Ellen Caplan for their warm words.
Facebook users, be our Facebook friend and "LIKE" Agudas Achim Iowa City!!
Then, watch for events and updates
Good evening – for those who do not know me, my name is David Lubaroff and I am the current chair of the Agudas Achim
Ritual Committee.
I am the first of several people from the congregation who will say a few words throughout these High Holiday services
about our Rabbi.
This series of High Holiday services is the last that Jeff Portman will officiate; he is retiring July 2015 after 41 years as our
Rabbi.
We did not want these events to start or proceed without acknowledging the person who has led us for over 4 decades.
Jeff has been everything to everybody; he has:
Been our spiritual leader – to the Orthodox, the Conservative, the Reform; to all members no matter which branch of
Judaism we all follow.
Led us at services on Shabbat, the High Holidays, Purim, Chanukah, and on and on.
Taught our children and adults; prepared them for, and officiated at, their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Officiated at the marriages of many of you, your children, and grandchildren.
Officiated at the funerals of our loved ones and comforted our families during those hard times.
Visited the sick and prayed for their recovery.
Has been our representative to other religious organizations.
He has even interacted with the U of I Athletics Department – speaking at numerous I-Club breakfasts.
The list could go on, but we have a limited amount of time.
Jeff is admired and respected by everyone – Jews and non-Jews; members and non-members; adults, youth, and children.
We all have grown with Jeff and his leaving us will not be easy, but he deserves the retirement that will come in less than a
year.
On a personal note –
Our family arrived in Iowa City in 1973, a year before Jeff.
He taught our 3 sons and officiated at their B’nai Mitzvah.
He officiated at the marriage of one of our sons.
He officiated at the Brises of 2 of our grandsons.
He taught and officiated at the B’nai Mitzvah these same 2 of our grandsons.
He officiated at the funeral of my mother.
Both Martha and I have had the pleasure of working with Jeff as presidents and members of various committees and boards.
Jeff is not the hard-nosed, strictly by the rules, my way or the highway kind of guy. He is a laid back, easy going person who
just gets things done. I remember when Jeff was being interviewed, our friend Jon Simon commented that Jeff was so
young; “I am afraid he will not become Rabbi Portman, but Rabbi Jeff.” The rest is history.
Jeff – we are so very appreciative of everything you do for us and will continue to do for the next year.
L’Shanah Tova. May you be inscribed and sealed in the book of life.
FROM THE PRESIDENT– Vickie Ginsberg
Good evening – For those of you who don’t know me, I am Tom Gelman and I am currently Treasurer of Agudas Achim
Congregation.
David Lubaroff spoke briefly about Rabbi Jeff at the Rosh Hashanah eve service, and I am another Congregant who during
these high Holiday Services is saying a few words about our Rabbi.
As David explained, these High Holiday services are the last that Rabbi Jeff will officiate. He is retiring July 2015 after 41
years as our Rabbi. As these events proceed, we wish to acknowledge the person who has led us for over 4 decades.
Jeff is a quiet but strong leader. The source and strength of his leadership is clearly in his passion for this Congregation and
compassion for its Congregants.
During the years I have served as treasurer it has become readily apparent that one of Jeff’s gifts is his capacity to get
others to do things for this Congregation. Because Jeff is who he is, it is exceedingly difficult to tell him “no,” principally be
cause his requests are rarely for or about Jeff, but rather for and about what is best for this Congregation and its
Congregants.
Rabbi Jeff was truly a moving force in connection with our recent transition to this wonderfully functional new synagogue.
He was optimistic, positive, and enthusiastic during the entire process. He set an example for all, and kept us focused on
the future.
Over the years I have had some unique opportunities to see some of Jeff’s outreach within the Congregational community
and to a much broader Jewish community in which he does many good deeds that few realize he is doing. He would never
do such things for notoriety, but rather it is apparent he does such deeds because of his genuine compassion for those in
personally challenging situations. Jeff silently, thoughtfully and compassionately does good deeds that reflect well on him,
our Congregation and Jewish people. He has done good deeds a Congregation might not necessarily expect their rabbi to
perform, but would be very pleased their rabbi does.
My role as treasurer often engages me in pragmatic aspects of the congregation, rather than those more religious,
spiritual or intellectual. For Jeff, that doesn’t matter. If it relates to a need of the Congregation or the Synagogue he is
always engaged. Whether repairs, maintenance, equipment, facilities, grounds, events, or other matter of things, Jeff is
engaged and helpful – many times ultimately being the driving force to getting tasks accomplished.
Personally, my re-engagement, as an adult, in the life of this congregation would have been substantially different if not
for Rabbi Jeff. He made participation comfortable and compatible with my particular circumstances. He has facilitated my
engagement in the life of the Congregation in ways I would not have imagined. I believe that is the case for many of us.
When Jeff happens to come up in my conversations with my mother, her comment is always the same, “I just love Jeff”.
Jeff has always been characteristically warm, kind and supportive to her. In what he does every day, Jeff demonstrates
compassion and love for this Congregation. And in return this Congregation does indeed love him back.
As David Lubaroff concluded, Jeff – we are so very appreciative of everything you do for us.
FROM THE PRESIDENT– Vickie Ginsberg
Good afternoon. I am Ellen Caplan, a member of this congregation for 53 years. Recently, you’ve heard from others
about Rabbi Portman’s activities and his impact on their lives. Let me mention a few other things about Jeff that
especially impress me. Within the congregation, he generously shares his pulpit with guest leaders. He teaches those of
us of any age in groups and individually. I think Jeff might have been happy to retire several years ago, but he stayed on
to guide us through the complex process of preparing and moving to this new home.
On an individual level, he is the consummate active listener, helping the speaker clarify personal views. He is a tireless
visitor, bringing comfort and cheer to the ill and lonely. In the general community, Jeff introduces Judaism to teenagers
in our public high schools who are studying World Religions; he brings Judaism to senior citizens as the leader of
occasional services at local retirement homes.
In the years since Jeff arrived in 1974, he has directly impacted my and Dick’s family often, guiding us through many
Jewish life milestones. Here are some examples:
In his second year here, he taught our youngest son, Aaron, for Bar Mitzvah as he has done with many other
children. After the service, preparing for lunch, I saw Jeff schlepping tables for additional seating. I hadn’t known that
was part of his job description, but for this rabbi it was.
Several years later, Jeff guided our daughter-in-law-to-be Joni as she became a Jew by Choice. The next year, he
officiated at her marriage to our son, David. And two years later, he led the service at their son Ben’s bris. A few
months later came the group B’not Mitzvah of Joni, our sister Betty, Rosalie Braverman and me. We, and several
others, were having a great time learning in early Saturday morning classes when one day Jeff announced ENUF: pick a
date and learn a haftorah. Which we all did. Two more years and there was the naming of David and Joni’s daughter
Shoshannah.
Months later, Jeff officiated at the wedding of our son Daniel and his wife Terri. Seemingly soon after, came Ben’s Bar
Mitzvah, Shoshannah’s Bat Mitzvah, and their confirmations….
At a frightening time in our lives, Jeff was there for all the family during David’s illness with leukemia. He was constant
support, continuing to visit David several times a week during his four long emotional months in the hospital.
Jeff: we thank you and value all you’ve done for us, communally and personally. And I thank God who enables his
children to remember these good deeds….
Shanah Tovah. May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES—Sarah Frank
The weather is cooling down, the leaves are falling from the trees and Fall has definitely arrived. There are two events
planned in November for families with children: a themed potluck Shabbat dinner and our monthly children's service. There
is no better way to stay warm and cozy on a chilly, dark night than celebrating Shabbat with friends. We look forward to
seeing you!
Shabbat Yeladim: Nov 15 at 10:30 AM
Children's services will be at 10:30 on Saturday. Singing, dancing, Alef-Bet Yoga, a Torah parade and story. Geared for
children 0-6, although I'm recruiting older children to help me lead the service.
Our next dinner will be Friday, November 7th at the shul. We will join the Sunday School students who are leading a Friday
night service at 6:30 pm. The synagogue will provide challah, grape juice and drinks. Please bring a vegetarian main course,
side dish or dessert to share. If you feel like being adventurous in the kitchen, consider bringing a Moroccan inspired dish. If
not, no worries! Any food will be gladly eaten. RSVP to the office [email protected]
TIKUN OLAM– Michelle Stalkfleet
Thanks to all who donated to the High Holiday Food Drive benefiting the Coralville Ecumenical Food Pantry. We happily
delivered approximately 1,100 lbs. of food and 90 lbs. of non- food items , such as diapers , toilet paper, etc.!!!
A BIG thank you to Jody Braverman for securing the van and delivering the items.
Many thanks to Sam, Aaron and Heidi Stalkfleet, as well as Sam and Ben Horwitz for weighing and loading the donations
into the van.
The Tikun Olam Committee is again this year looking for volunteers to assist at the Information Desk at Mercy Hospital for
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please contact Michelle Stalkfleet if you are interested. [email protected]
UPDATE FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE-Michael Flaum
Search Committee Update
At our most recent meeting we had a videoconference with Rabbi Alan Henkin, who heads up the rabbinic placement office
for the Central Conference of American Rabbis, (which is the rabbinic arm of the Union for Reform Judaism). We discussed
many things. I’ll highlight a few related issues here.
First, he talked about how a synagogue might approach the departure of its rabbi from a “disease” vs. a “health”
perspective. In the former, we might see Rabbi Jeff’s retirement as a problem that needed to be fixed, as something
“wrong” in our community that needs to be dealt with, grieved and overcome. The “health” model might approach it more
as a normal, expected event within the life-cycle of a community, that indeed presents an important opportunity for its
ongoing healthy growth and development. There was a lot of head-nodding among the committee hearing this, especially
when he said “clearly, it is some of both”.
He then reiterated a point that we had learned from watching a webinar from his office last month - that the way a synagogue says goodbye to its current rabbi, informs the way it will say hello to its new rabbi. He stressed that there is a
difference between the work of a rabbi search committee, and what they refer to as a “transition” team or committee – the
latter whose work has to do with leading the congregation very intentionally about both the saying goodbye and saying
hello processes. He explained that ideally this should begin as soon as it is known that the current rabbi will be moving on,
and continue through the time that the “settled” rabbi is indeed settled into the community. We discussed this at the
September board meeting, and at the October meeting, a charge for the “transition team” was developed. You will be
hearing more about this in upcoming bulletins.
We also discussed many practical details of our tasks, including how compressed the timeline for the interim search is
relative to that of the search for a settled rabbi. Interim rabbis are typically at their congregations for only a year, and as
they are usually very busy with the High Holiday season, they don’t start looking for their next assignment until after that.
So, applications mostly come in around November / December – and practically, if we are going to have an interim in place
by this Summer, we’d like to get serious about making offers by before the spring. So, the priority now is interviewing
interim candidates. We will begin interviews via video-conferencing within the next two weeks, with the hope of inviting
the most promising candidate for an on-site visit – probably in January.
Finally, we are continuing to work on our “self-study” process in which we will try to get as much substantive input as
possible from the congregation and broader Jewish community on the questions of: What we are looking for in a rabbi, and
perhaps more importantly, “who are we, or who do we want to be, as a congregation?”
Lots going on – more to come.
JEWTH GROUP– Chloe Goodman
AAUSY major events for November:
November 2nd: Coralridge Ice Skating, 1-2:30 pm.
Admission: $6 Rental: $2
November 15th-16th : AAUSY Lock-In, 7:30 pm-9:00 am.
Agudas Achim youth! Come join us for an overnight in the synagogue. Dinner, breakfast, and snacks in-between are
provided.
November 27th-30th: EMZTA USY Kinnus.
United Synagogue Youth regional convention in Minneapolis.
November Lounge Nights:
November, 4th, 11th, and 18th.
WE WILL NOT BE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 25TH.
AAUSY major events for December:
December 6th: Movie & Chinese Food
December 14th: Hanukkah Party, 5-7pm.
December Lounge Nights:
December 2nd, 9th, and 16th.
ZUKIN FAMILY
We moved to Iowa City in
December 2013 from Grand
Rapids, Michigan. Eric is in
Sales at Geico and Em is the
Secretary at Agudas Achim
Congregation and is attending
classes at Kirkwood
Community College. We have
two children Chloe, 14, is a
freshman at West High and
Esther is one and a half years
old.
HADDASSAH EVENT
INHERITED EYE DISEASES AND
JEWISH PEOPLE
A presentation by:
John Fingert, MD, PhD
Director of the Glaucoma Research Center of The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research
At the University of Iowa
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014
WINE RECEPTION 5:45PM
DINNER 6:15PM
TEMPLE JUDAH, 3221 LINDSAY LANE SE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
RSVP By October 28TH
Amy Barnum )319)362-5642 or [email protected]
All donations appreciated.
HADASSAH WILL RECEIVE 100% OF YOUR DONATION THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR HOSTS:
Amy and Joel Barnum
Libby and Arnold Bucksbaum
Theresa and Rand Fishleder
Kathe and Gary Goldstein
Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful. - Helen Keller
THE FIVE MEGILLOT, JONAH, AND THE BOOK OF MACCABEES
We are very pleased that he will be presenting another series of stimulating and informative presentations.
“The Five Megillot, Jonah, and The Maccabees”
And A Talk on Yom Yerushalayim (Day of Jerusalem)
The Five Megillot () ‫מגילות חמש‬are parts of the Ketuvim (“Writings”), the third major section of the Tanach (Hebrew
Bible). The Five Megillot or Scrolls are the Song of Songs, the Book of Ruth, the Book of Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and the
Book of Esther. These five relatively short biblical books are grouped together in Jewish tradition and are read during
certain holidays. Other biblical books read during the holidays are Jonah, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes. The First and
Second Books of Maccabees are not included in the Tanach but in the Apocrypha. Each presentation has been scheduled to
be as close as possible to the holiday in which the book will be read.
These Oneg Shabbat Talks are after services on these Fridays at about 8:25 pm.
Friday, December 19 Maccabees
The First and Second Books of Maccabees are not read as part of the Tanach but include the earliest references to
the story of Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple.
Friday, February 27 Esther (Purim).
Friday, March 27 Song of Songs (Passover).
Friday, April 17 Ruth (Shavuot).
Friday, June 26 Lamentations (Tisha B’av).
Sunday, May 17 at 2pm Yom Yerushalayim (Day of Jerusalem) Topic TBA
HEBREW & SUNDAY SCHOOL—Sonja Spear
Coming Up:
The Sunday School students age 4-7 will lead a brief and musical Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday Night service) on Friday,
November 7th at 6:30. Potluck supper to follow. Parents, friends, and siblings warmly invited!
The kids have been practicing Shabbat songs with the talented Karen Charney, who taught them a Shabbat nigun
(a wordless melody) as well as some songs about Shabbat dinosaurs.
Simchat Torah was a Blast!
All the kids paraded with the Torah. The Hebrew School students recited the end of Deuteronomy and the beginning of
Genesis. The students who recited Deuteronomy even chanted alternate lines! I am so proud of them for working so hard
and for standing up in front of everyone. I know a few of them were nervous.
There was so much warmth and love in the room that I can’t believe that any child was nervous for long. Thank you to
everyone who came on a weeknight to make Simchat Torah happen. I am especially grateful to the Education Committee
for making phone calls and for taking care of dozens of details. A special thank you goes to Kae and Neil Segal for bringing
pies. You can never have too much dessert!
Now that the holidays are behind us, the Hebrew School will settle into learning Shabbat prayers. We will be coming at the
prayers from two directions: meaning (in English) and Hebrew vocabulary and grammar. We are using the Journeys series
from Torah Aura, which includes midrash and folktales with each prayer. Students will learn and discuss these stories. They
will also practice reading fluently, learn roots and vocabulary, and pick up basic grammatical structures.
I see no reason to learn a language sitting down! So if your kids tell you that they marched, sang, or played games, it’s
because the mind sometimes works better when the hands and feet are in motion.
Sunday School:
The Three-Year-Old Class will meet for the first time on November 9 th at 10:00. Em Petersen is planning a hunt for items
that go in a Shabbat bag and other fun activities. You can register for the class on the ninth, if you are not already
registered. Please plan to stay with your child.
The Four and Five-Year-Old Class is changing teachers. John Richards has handed the class over to Jamie Pritzker, who
has experience working with very young children. The class will be exploring the synagogue and learning more about
Shabbat. We have new felt board Bible stories, which should be a lot of fun.
First Grade held a practice Shabbat. They pretended to light candles, and bless bread and wine. Then they made
beautiful Kiddush cups with fancy stick-on jewels!
Second Grade dug a little deeper into Simchat Torah. They learned that the four kinds of plants in the lulav symbolize
different kinds of Jews, all important and all stronger when bound together. Last week they started to learn about modern
Israel by getting familiar with the map.
Third Grade discussed what it means to walk with God. Some of them drew pictures and others performed their
conversation with the divine.
Fifth Grade started with the Babylonian exile. Then they talked about Alexander the Great and Hellenism. This class is
thinking a lot about culture and why cultures change.
HEBREW & SUNDAY SCHOOL CONT.
Sixth Grade studied a little Talmud with the rabbi. They spent a lot of time in the sukkah, shaking the lulav and learning
the blessings. The following week, there were only two students in the class. But those two learned about the origins of
Jewish denominations in Germany.
Eighth Grade also spent much of October studying Talmud with the rabbi. In the last week of October, they returned to
their main topic, the Holocaust. I substituted for Chloe, who was out of town. I would say that we had a lively discussion
about Kristallnacht, but there was only one student there, so it was more a dialogue than a discussion. It was lively
nonetheless. We concluded with an animated short of Maurice Ogden’s poem “The Hangman,” which opened a
conversation about personal responsibility and the power of fear.
Learn about Camp Young Judea!
On Sunday, November 9th at 11:40 a representative from Camp Young Judea will give a presentation about the camping
experience. Refreshments provided!
Sunday School Students ages 8-14 will join their parents for the presentation.
ONEG COMMITTEE—Andy Frank
Wow, the high holidays have passed, and we are well into autumn. Other than weekly Shabbat, there are few Jewish
holidays until we light the Chanukah candles on the evening of December 16. With school and work deadlines, this is a busy
time of year for many of us – but please consider signing up to host an Oneg as we close 2014 and begin 2015. If you check
the online calendar, you will find open dates. There are many ways to participate:
1. Use the Signupgenius website (which shows open dates and upcoming events): http://www.signupgenius.com/
go/70A0B4AAFAA2DA57-oneg
2. Email <[email protected]>
3. Call Andy Frank (319) 512-0899.
4. No time for shopping? That's okay, there is an Oneg Fund! Send your check to the synagogue, marked "Oneg Fund" on
the envelope and the check memo.
SISTERHOOD– Jorie Slodki
Torah Stitch by Stitch
Do you like to cross-stitch? Toronto-based artist Temma Gentles is looking for volunteers to cross-stitch the entire Torah,
word by word! For more information, visit torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com
Thank You
Many thanks to everyone who provided food for our Rosh Hashanah Oneg and Yom Kippur Breakfast. Your dishes were
delicious, and helped make the holidays even more special.
Dues Reminder
This is a reminder to submit your Sisterhood dues for the 2014-2015 year. Dues are $36. For more information, contact
Mindy Russell at [email protected].
ADULT EDUCATION COMMITTEE– Kathy Jacobs
Adult Ed Events:
All Adult Education programs are open to the public.
Sunday November 2nd Schmooze 10:30 AM:
"Money of the Holocaust" Steve Feller, professor of Physics at Coe College will discuss his and his daughter Ray's
research into the monies developed by ghetto and concentration camp inmates during the holocaust. Join us at 10:-- AM
for tea, coffee and bagels with the Sunday School Parents and other adults.
Sunday November 9th Reading sponsored by the Iowa City Jewish Federation, UI Hillel House, Dreamwell Theater and
Agudas Achim Adult Education
"Kristallnacht- Night of Broken Glass" Reading from a transcript of a meeting of Nazi officials "The Value of Glass"
Directed by Jorie Slodki
Introduced by David Roston
Guided Discussion by Professor Lisa Heineman
2 P.M. Hillel House
Sunday November 14th 8:30 PM following services
"Music by Composers of the Holocaust" arranged and programmed by Samuel Adler with Cantor Debra Morin. Choral
voices organized by Steven Swanson of the University of Iowa Department of Music, accompanied by Dick Caplan.
Friday December 5th, 8:30 PM following services
"Religion and Healing"
Dr. Frederick M Smith of the UI Department of Religion will discuss the relationship between religion and means of
healing in world religions. Following the talk, Dr Smith will ask congregation members to provide information about the
healing practices of Judaism. Refreshments by the Adult Education Committee.
Friday December 19th, 8:30 PM following Services
Dr Robert Cargill of the UI Department of Religion will discuss the Book of Maccabees. Refreshments by the Adult
Education Committee.
This year I've faced a real challenge scheduling adult education programs due to the early holidays and a commitment I
made to other groups to avoid scheduling my programs at the same time as events by other groups. I'm also trying to
avoid scheduling schmoozes on weekends coming before or after secular or Christian holidays, since members could be
busy or out of town. This is to assure the opportunity for good turnout for our presenters.
All the same, we have some excellent programs for you. Janie Braverman's schmooze will be rescheduled for sometime
this spring, watch for information in a future bulletin and the Rabbi's weekly announcements. I want to thank Jorie Slodki
for stepping in and providing an excellent alternative program at the last minute.
In November and December we have the Steve Feller schmooze on 11/2, about the monies created within the ghettos
and camps during the Shoah, and the Adler Music program on 11/14. We are collaborating with the IC Jewish Federation,
Hillel and Dreamwell Theater to bring you a reading related to Kristallnachte at Hillel on 11/9. We also have Oneg
Shabbat programs after services on 12/5 (Dr Fred Smith on Religion and Healing) and 12/19
(Dr Bob Cargill on Maccabees).
We will be scheduling additional Schmoozes by Jorie and other presenters, with a goal of providing at least one
schmooze each month.
In addition, as part of the Relational Judaism effort here at Agudas Achim, the Sunday Morning Coffee, Tea, and Bagels
served at 10 AM on Sunday School Sunday's is now open to all adults, sponsored by the Iowa City Jewish Federation
and the Adult Education committee. Come and join us when Sunday School is in session for Sunday morning nosh and
some adult conversation.
Kathy Jacobs
LIFE MILESTONES
Mazel Tov to Nancy Goldsmith on the birth of her granddaughter, Lillian (Lilly) Arlene Goldsmith. Lilian is the daughter of
Zach and Emily Goldsmith
An Evening with Samuel Adler– Friday, November 14th
Agudas Achim is extremely proud to have as our guest the esteemed composer
Samuel Adler who is considered one of the great composers and arrangers of Jewish music in the 20 th century. He has written
arrangements for a number of prayers found in the liturgy many of which will be sung with Cantor Deborah
Norin-Kuehn.
Mr. Adler has also arranged vocal music written by Holocaust survivors and with the help of Professor Stephen Swanson of the
UI School of Music a few of these
arrangements will be sung by a quartet made up of UI School of Music students.
All of this will be part of a very special Shabbat service on Friday, November 14 at the synagogue. This will be preceded by the
New Member Shabbat dinner. Please RSVP for the dinner; no reservations are needed to attend Shabbat services.
Samuel Adler continued the tradition of composing Jewish music that his father,
Hugo Chaim Adler, began. Mr. Adler's
prolific career has produced a wide range of works for choir, art and solo music,
orchestra, and opera. Mr. Adler was born in Mannheim, Germany and in 1939
immigrated to the United States. He earned a BM from Boston University, an MA
from Harvard University, a Doctor of Music (honorary) from Southern Methodist
University, a Doctor of Fine Arts (honorary) from Wake Forest University, a Doctor of
Music (honorary) from St. Mary's College (Indiana), and a Doctor of Music (honorary)
from St. Louis Conservatory. Mr. Adler was awarded the Army's Medal of Honor for
his work with the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra during his service. Mr. Adler's
catalog of published works numbers over 300. They have been performed in such
places as Israel, South America, Europe, and most major cities in the United States. In
addition, he has published three books: Choral Conducting; Sight Singing; and The
Study of
Orchestration. Since 1966, Mr. Adler has been a professor of composition at the
Eastman School of Music and chairperson of that department since 1974. The
recipient of numerous commissions, and grants, Mr. Adler has been awarded many
prizes including the Charles Ives Award, the Music Teachers' National Association's
Composer of the Year award, Composer of the Year for the American Guild of
Organists, and the Eastman School's Eisenhart Award for distinguished teaching.
Since her 1994 New York debut, soprano Deborah Norin-Kuehn has dedicated her
performance career to presenting contemporary vocal repertoire, premiering and
interpreting works of our time, without neglecting the traditional fare. Regarding
Norin-Kuehn’s United Kingdom premiere of Milton Babbitt’s Du, Phyllis Bryn Julson
said, “She puts a little Schubert in her Babbitt, and vice versa.”
Unrolling the Torah on Simchat Torah
On Simchat Torah Kineret and
Joseph Zabner’s Torah was
unrolled. We identified major
sections and some of the post
B’nai Mitzvah children found
their maftirs.
We’re hosting a catered Shabbat dinner to
honor our new members.
Please join us on November 14th at 6:30 pm at
the synagogue.
Please RSVP to the office by November 11th,
2014
319-337-3813 or [email protected]
$15 per person
$10 per child
$40 per family
NOVEMBER YAHRZEITS
Selma Asch
Emilia B. Lasansky
Simon Assouline
Abraham Levitz
Doris Bonfield
Maria Lewin
Jean Weinstein Breggin
Jack Lubin
Remi Cadoret
Reba Magaziner
Rose Marie Caplan
Leon Middleman
Tom Clancy
Renate Nadler
Victor Cohen
Jacqueline Fooshe Ormond
Raymond Duitch
Abe Pessin
Edward Dvoretzky
Jacob Portman
Max Dvoretzky
Max Rosenbaum
Ruth Prager Engleman
David Rothstein
Mertie Ellen Evans
Edith Schneider
Harry Feldt
Norman Sellz
Stanley Flatté
Anna Shulman
Lillian Friendman
Betty Simon
Miriam Saltzman Goichberg
Louis Snider
Liba Goldberg
Herman Sterman
Chaim Graber
Joseph Sunshine
Sydney Harold Gurian
Joseph B. Tauber
Victoria Haendel
Bertha Tiss
Sage Adams Hall
David Vernon
Maurice H. Herman
Bernice Warren
Andrew Hoffman
Al Widiss
James Isom
Elsie Wingo
Dorothy Kanef
Betty Braverman Wold
Fanny Eva Kimmel
Bernard Zwerling
Joseph Kimmel
Gordon Korsmo
Ed Laquer
DONATIONS
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Arthur Bonfield: In memor y of
Doris Bonfield
Richard & Ellen Caplan: In honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of Isaac Bender and the Bat Mitzvah of
Avery Carneol
Joy Keener
Gary & Randi Levitz
Paul & Esther Retish: in Honor of
Rabbi Jeff’s leadership & for the honor of an
Aliyah
Jonathan & Susan Simon: Thanks for all
your efforts, Jeff!
Mel & Diane Sunshine: In memor y or
Mildred Siegel
FAMILY ASSISTANCE FUND
Lea Haravon Collins & Steve Collins
Claudio Margulis & Xiaowei Han
Neil & Kae Segal
Craig Zwerling & Nancy Sprince
FINE ARTS FUND
Kathy Ormond: In memor y of
Jacqueline Fooshe Ormond
TIKUN OLAM FUND
Richard & Ellen Caplan: In memor y of
Irene Sideman & Iylene Caplan
HIGH HOLIDAY/CANTOR FUND
Richard & Ellen Caplan: In memor y of
GENERAL GIFTS
Jeff & Wendy Bender: In honor of
Rose Marie Caplan
Isaac Bender’s Bar Mitzvah
Art & Sydelle Charney
Richard & Ellen Caplan: For the Oneg Fund Mark Finkelstein & Jody Hramits
Steven Fisherman & Renda Greene-Fishman Tom & Becky Gelman
Richard & Karen Lipman: Mazel Tov to
Richard & Karen Lipman
Ben Berman & Natasha Robin, to Lauren Levy David & Martha Lubaroff: In memor y of
& Daniel William Welter, to Lizzie Ginsberg & Mary Lubaroff
Andy O’Neill, to Miriam Weiner &
Carrie Z. Norton
Dylan Murray,
Mel & Diane Sunshine
to Renee Zukin & Andrew Epstein
Michael & Joanne Margolin
Ben & Michele Hurwitz: In honor of the
Sunday School teachers
GARDEN & LANDSCAPING FUND
Richard & Ellen Caplan: In memor y of
Leonard A. Cohn
Mel & Diane Sunshine: In memor y of
Joseph Sunshine
BUILDING FUND
Steve & Nicole Wolf-Camplin
CEMETERY FUND
Jack L. Snider: In memor y of Her man Snider
“As tiny scales join to form a strong
coat of armor, so little donations combine
to form a large total of good.”
From the Talmud
Should you desire to make a contribution, may we suggest any of the
following synagogue funds:
____ Braverman Talmud Torah
____ Marcus Scholarship Fund
____ PJ Library
____ Building Fund
____ Prayer Book Fund
____ Cemetery Fund
____ Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
____ Fine Arts Fund
____ School Fund
____ Garden & Landscaping Fund
____ Sim & Sara Strauss
Memorial Fund
____ General Fund
____ Sisterhood Mitzvah &
Memorial fund
____ High Holiday/Cantor Fund
____ Synagogue Assistance Fund
____ Lauren Reece Flaum Terrace Fund ____ Tikun Olam Fund
____ Library Fund
____ Torah Enhancement Fund
____ Louis Ginsberg Youth Fund
Contribution in memory of__________________________________________
Contribution in honor of____________________________________________
Jeffrey R. Portman
Nina Weinstein
Sonja Spear
Chloe Goodman
Sarah Frank
Em Petersen
Amos Kiche
Rabbi
Administrator
Principal
Youth Director
Children’s Program Director
Office Secretary
Custodian
Board of Trustees
Vickie Ginsberg
Michael Flaum
Carrie Z. Norton
Tom Gelman
Sara Braverman
Teresa Weiner
David Lubaroff
Karen Charney
Kathy Jacobs
Michelle Stalkfleet
Karen Lipman
Teresa Weiner
Kineret Zabner
Jorie Slodki
Renee Zukin
Jody Braverman
Neil Segal
President
President Elect
Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
School
Ritual
Membership
Adult Education
Tikun Olam
Youth
Past President
Social
Sisterhood
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee