Tevet/Shevat January 2015 TEMPLE BETH EMUNAH 479 Torrey Street Brockton, MA 02301 (508) 583-5810 Fax: (708) 778-5801 Ilana Foss, Rabbi H. David Werb, Rabbi Emeritis Stu Kirsch, President Beth Goldstein, B’yachad Educ. Director Deb Kirsch, Administrator Bulletin Aaron Riseman Editor Tom Robinson, Circulation February Bulletin Deadline: January 21, 2015 Articles must be submitted via e-mail to: [email protected] Services Shabbat Friday at 6:30 PM Saturday at 9:30 AM Daily Weekdays at 7:30PM Sundays at 9:00AM Unless otherwise announced Visit our website at www.templebethemunah.org OFFICE HOURS Sunday 9 am to 12 pm Monday closed Tuesday 1 pm to 6 pm Wednesday 9 am to 6 pm Thursday 1 pm 6 pm Friday 9 am to 12 pm Saturday closed From The Rabbi's Desk #Blacklivesmatter Whether you have been following this hashtag on social media or reading about the widespread protests throughout the United States we can confidently say that our country, in a way not seen since the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s, is engaged in a serious conversation about race. Protests have commanded the attention of many people- government officials, religious leaders and all of us. The peaceful, non -violent protests are models of how to engage with challenging questions. The tragic killing of police officers in New York City is horrific and has been rightly denounced as a detriment to the broader cause of a more just and peaceful society. When we look at the Eric Garner case it is again hard to know where to begin exactly. Is it the sight of the video and the police officer putting him in a chokehold watched by thousands of people on YouTube? Is it the decision of the grand jury not to indict him so that none of the evidence will be aired in a public courtroom, eliminating an opportunity for some transparency in the examination of the case? Is it the lists of black men who’ve been grievously injured or killed in police custody, right here in the United States? These questions are overwhelming because they touch on such broad swathes of our society and our history dating back to the establishment of our country. When looking at the Garner case, it is criticized as not being a good ‘test case’ to deal with these issues because Garner was selling loose cigarettes or, as in the Michael Brown case, some of the protestors were violent. Charles Blow, a conservative columnist in the New York Times, speaks to how critics of the protests distract us from the actual problem: “The argument is that this is not a perfect case, because Brown — and, one would assume, now Garner — isn’t a perfect victim and the protesters haven’t all been perfectly civil, so therefore any movement to counter black oppression that flows from the case is inherently flawed. But this is ridiculous and reductive, because it fails to acknowledge that the whole system is imperfect and rife with flaws. We don’t need to identify angels and demons to understand that inequity is hell.” That is what is challenging about the situation today, it isn’t just one incident, it isn’t just one death, it is fundamentally a system that treat some people differently than others. It would be fairly easy for many of us today that this isn’t our problem. Why should we care or even why should we pay attention to what is going on in New York or Saint Louis? There are some of us who are scared by what is happening— either scared for black family members and friends, or scared for police officers or scared because the country seems so angry right now. We need to pay attention to what is going on around us. The Martin Luther King luncheon on January 18th is one way we can come together. But it is only one afternoon. When Cain killed his brother Abel, God addresses Cain saying: “Listen, your brother’s blood cries out from the ground (Gen. 4:10).” We need to address these issues in impactful ways and at all times. In the coming months, together with area clergy, I’ll be sharing information about community programs addressing issues of race. There is too much of our brothers’ blood on the ground. L’Shalom Rabbi Ilana Foss FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT The Gratitude Attitude One area that we as an organization and as individuals can get much better at is saying thank you. It is sometimes hard and awkward, sometime curt and cursory. Thanking people is all the more difficult at times when we realize how people are embarrassed by receiving thanks. But there is a third party too that is affected by the lack of proper acknowledgement, the community. The Talmud tells us that three people are killed by gossip: the one who tells it, the one about whom it is told, and the one who hears it (Talmud Arachin 15b). Isn't the inverse true as well? Are not three people raised up by words of thanks, acknowledgement, graciousness? The one who offers thanks, the one who is thanked, and the community that hears the thanks. Let me now take a moment to offer some words of thanks, not only because I need to say them, and not only because people need to know they are being thanked, but also because you, our community, should be raised up as well. Thanks to the Executive Board and the Temple's leaders. Barely a day goes by where your inboxes or voicemail boxes are not filled with questions, concerns, and issues that come up. Due to your interest, abilities, and wisdom, we have developed a working relationship that lets us all consider important—and not so important—questions that come up. You respond when you can, but more importantly to me, you take action when you should. There is so much going on within our organization; through your opinions and actions, much more than one could ever believe is accomplished. Thanks to our new members and our families with young children who step up and involve yourselves in activities and work in the synagogue and the school. The value in helping in the office, or helping in the kitchen, or working on a project team, or attending a program, or even in making sure we are aware of complaints and problems you see, is valuable in two ways. It is valuable on its face: work gets done; programs and classes are successful; problems are recognized and solved. But your participation is also valuable in that it builds our community; you bond with other members, our leadership, our staff, and your peers through shared interest and experience. Our community is strengthened by those bonds. Thanks to our more senior members for your willingness to listen and to advise in addition to your activity. You are actively engaged now in the community as you have been for many years. You have experiences and insights and connections that you have collected through those years, and you are willing to share them with our leadership for the continued benefit of our community. Your words and your actions are immensely valuable. Thanks to those who handle things so regularly that the efforts often seem taken for granted—not wittingly ignored, but not acknowledged because they just become part of the background. Like offensive linemen in football, as the saying goes, your efforts are not properly noticed unless they are not done. Please know that we do notice and we thank you for those efforts. Understanding the risk of mentioning just a few people and not mentioning others, I will mention some. Thank you Bob Greenberg for Kiddush every week and your help in controlling and managing the kitchen. Thank you Steve Merlin for reading Torah each week. Thank you Dave Kramer for your omnipresence with keys and leaks and heating and cooling. Thank you Deb Kirsch for handling so much more than would ever be expected. Thank you Reva Stickler and Mike Raphaelson and Roz Nelson and your colleagues on the RitCom who make sure that services go as smoothly as they do. Thank you Rabbi Foss for your leadership. You encourage and cajole and negotiate all the best out of people. You bring people together within our community and you welcome those from outside to join us for the benefit of both. You build programs and build bridges and build compromises. Your public and personal communications are on target and on message. You have made your desk and your seat at a table and your home as much a part of your leadership platform as the bimah. You understand your role and the community to know when to act and when to let others act, or not. You ask questions and listen to opinion as well as you answer questions thoughtfully. There are more to acknowledge, and I will endeavor to do so appropriately. Please join me in those efforts. L'Shalom' Stu Kirsch Thank you to our entire Custodial Staff for their tireless work all year long! Our building shines because of their dedication! Judaism 101 Have you ever wanted to know more about Judaism but were afraid to ask? The Jewish Discovery Institute is offering a free course to help you learn some of the basic tenets of Judaism. Topics could include God, Torah, Israel, Jewish Thought, Jewish History, and the Jewish calendar. Bring your questions, concerns and curiosity. Judaism 101 is taught by Rabbinical Student Steven Jablow January 8, 15 and 22 Temple Beth Emunah - Brockton 7-9PM This class is free but registration is required. Please contact Rabbi Foss for instructions on how to register online. The class is open to all. This class is offered though the Jewish Discovery Institute though a generous grant from CJP. B’Yachad South Area Religious School. 2015 marks sixty-seven years since Israel was declared a country. And although sixty-seven years seems like a long time for many, Israel is just a baby as countries go. As we look back at the last sixty-seven years, what is it about this small country that still attracts so many people today? I hear many talk about the magic they felt the first time they stepped onto Israeli soil. The image, for many, of walking off the plane and kissing the ground still moves them to tears. For others it is simply eating in a café where everyone speaks Hebrew. Still others are moved by standing at the Kotel (Western Wall). On Sunday, January 25th the school will be celebrating Israel through a special Israel Fair for students and parents as we kick off a campaign to register all B’Yachad students for Passport to Israel! Passport to Israel is a risk free savings account which allows parents to save money for their children to one day travel to Israel. In addition, the CJP adds money to the account. To learn more about Passport to Israel join the school on Sunday, January 25th at 10:30am at Temple Beth Emunah. On the first Sunday in December, the teaching staff of B’Yachad attended Limmud Boston. Teachers attended sessions on everything ranging from classes on teaching to the future of American Judaism. It was a great day and is already making an impact on the teaching at B’Yachad. In addition, the Hanukkah party was on Tuesday, December 16th. Parents and students gathered to sing, light the Menorah, and eat. Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered both the Sunday before the party and on the day of the party to cook, help with the children, set up, clean up and so much more. It would not have been possible without you! Check out the great pictures! January is packed with many events and programs, in addition to Hebrew and Judaic learning. On Sunday, January 4th the Brotherhood will be working with the 5th grade students and their parents to create Tefillin and prepare for the World Wide Wrap (which is on Sunday, February 1st). On Saturday, January 10th, B’Yachad will hold its first ever Havdalah event. We will learn about and celebrate Havdalah together, eat dinner and watch movies/play games. On Sunday, January 11th, the school will have a “late start” and school will begin at 10am. On Saturday, January 24th, Jr. Congregation will be held at Temple Beth Am at 10:00am. And on Sunday, January 25 th, the school community will be celebrating Israel with an Israel Fair and Passport to Israel information session at 10:30am at Temple Beth Emunah. For questions about B’Yachad South Area Religious School, please feel free to email Beth Goldstein at [email protected]. Hanukkah 2014 5th Grade Letter Presentation HANUKKAH 2014 How Can YOU Help? Donate with an impact When we’ve needed something (heating repairs, painting and new doors, to name but a few) our members have been there! The call is going out again for your help. Could you pay a month’s worth of the electric bill? Or perhaps a week’s worth? Maybe you’d rather pay the Insurance bill? Below are a few ideas, but all donations welcome! Electric Bill $2,400 for a whole month or $600 for a week Gas Bill $1,000 for a whole month or $250 for a week Insurance $2,000 for a whole month or $500 for a week Trash Collection $260 for a whole month or $65 for a week Alarm Monitoring $240 for whole year or $20 for a week Social Action Temple Beth Emunah is looking for volunteers to join their Literacy team. Members of the Literacy Team go into local Brockton Elementary schools and work with students in their reading and writing skills. Our Team Leader is Tina Langson. She has been working with the JCRC and members of Temple Beth Emunah to help fill the need in our local schools. The commitment is for just one hour a week. All volunteers are trained in how to service these special students. If you are interested in working with children and you enjoy reading please contact Tina Langson at [email protected] December, for many, is the time for holidays and vacations. Children with serious illnesses, though, do not take a break from treatment and/or testing. The cooks from Social Action try to brighten their day with a delicious home cooked meal. This month, we baked chicken with Old Bay Seasoning, Spanish rice, and mixed vegetables. To top off this repast, were cranberry bars and peppermint chocolate cookies (thank you, Reva), chocolate chip cookies, a frosted gold cake, and clementines. We would be remiss if we did not thank the family whose multi Chai donation made this, and next month’s, meal possible. Please help acutely ill children and their caregivers by donating any amount to TBE. Please write Ronald McDonald House Dinner Fund on the memo line. From everyone in Social Action, a happy healthy new year. Winter St, Boston, circa 1866 RABBI H.DAVID WERB MEDITATION GARDEN AND TEMPLE BETH EMUNAH HONORS WALKWAY Would you like to commemorate a special occasion, such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, anniversary, or birthday; or honor or memorialize your loved ones? You can purchase a personalized, laser engraved brick to be placed in the Rabbi H. David Werb Meditation Garden or the Temple Beth Emunah Honors Walkway, both located in the Temple’s Korim Courtyard. The net proceeds go towards the Temple’s Endowment Fund, which helps our Temple and Religious School. Your purchases will keep Temple Beth Emunah strong for many years to come, and also add to the beauty of the garden - an area for reflection, relaxation and enjoyment. Please be sure to visit it when you’re at the Temple. 4” x 8” and 8” x 8” bricks are available, and are permanently laser engraved with your special inscription. Please pick up an order form at the Temple office, or call for more details. Do you know someone who has an upcoming Birthday or Anniversary? Who just got a new job? Could use some well wishes during an illness? Consider sending a Nedorim card! (Cards start at $5) Contact the Temple Office for more details. Come learn about Camp Ramah in New England without leaving your home! Please join us for an online virtual parlor meeting on Wednesday, January 14th at 7pm EST with our Assistant Director, Josh Edelglass. By using our online web conferencing site, you will be able to meet with and interact with Josh on your computer screen! You will be able to watch live video to see Josh’s short presentation about the magic of Camp Ramah, and you will be able to ask and have answered any questions you may have about Camp Ramah! Please RSVP to [email protected]. Electric Wire Recycling Fundraiser We can turn obsolete, no longer used electric wire of all types and in any condition into cash. $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ Do you have a smartphone or a cell phone that you no longer use? Please donate any unneeded phones to Temple Beth Emunah as we can recycle these items for C$SH. Old, cracked, or no longer used or needed electric wire can be recycled for ca$h. Check your cabinets, closets and basements…time to clean up, recycle and Temple Beth Emunah will benefit! Bring your phones and leave them in the main office. If the office is closed just place them in the open window. Please bring to the Temple any and all electric wire that you no longer use: Computer, audio and TV cables Equipment power cords and chargers Appliance and lamp power cords (cords only) Telephone and speaker wire Cell phone chargers and wire House and building wire Extension cords Temple Beth Emunah 479 Torrey Street Brockton, MA 02301 Phone: 508.583.5810 All types of electrical wire accepted. Place in basket located on main floor in the school hallway. Electrical wire can be recycled for ca$h. Please send any questions to Alan Castaline at [email protected] The letter ‘shin’ is based on a pictogram of teeth ש We know Orthodontics from aleph to tav. See us for AMAZING SMILES, INCREASED CONFIDENCE, NEWFOUND HAPPINESS. Dr. Robert Chavez Dr. Andrew Chase ARCH Orthodontics FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION 1 (800) 28- SMILE www.archorthodontics.com Sisterhood Judaica Shop Do you need that special Gift ? Start your shopping at the Sisterhood Judaica Shop. Come in and see all of the new merchandise. We have everything for that special Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Bride- tobe, & Housewares for the new home owner and, we are in the process of restocking the gift shop with all new merchandise. From tzedakah boxes to beautiful Shabbat candle sticks. Our prices are very reasonable. Don’t miss out on the beautiful selections. Don’t forget all of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah needs Yarmulkahs can be ordered in your special colors Hours: Sunday 9-11am & by appointment: Heidi Bourque 508-828-9515 Robin Ekpunobi 781-424-3276 Sharon Wolf 508-238-1507 Recycle for a Profit! Bring in your used printer and toner cartridges and the Temple earns from $2-$4 per cartridge! Don’t have curbside recycling? Bring your paper to the Temple and earn us even more $$...and save a tree and landfill space while you’re at it! ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺ Did you know…….? That many of the things you do every day can earn the Temple money? Use www.goodsearch.com for every internet search and earn a penny a search for the Temple. Use www.goodshop.com before you go to websites such as Amazon or Ebay (and dozens of others) and the Temple earns up to 37.5% of what you spend. Think it doesn’t add up? Last quarter we earned over $200! Use a Gift Card and increase our profit! SISTERHOOD Remember: It’s not hard, To Send a Card Just give us a Call, And we will help you all. Call Selma at (508)587-4278 or Marge at (508)588-5516 at any time except Shabbat. We are at your service to send the Simcha. New Baby, Mazel Tov and Get Well Torah Fund Cards. new new new new new new new new new new Go to www.gooddining.com and register whatever credit card you typically use when you go out to eat. Then enjoy a night out at one of the restaurants listed on the GoodDining website, use your registered credit card to pay, and the Temple gets a percentage! The Temple Beth Emunah section of Plymouth Rock Cemetery offers families an affordable, wellmaintained location as a final resting place. We offer our community two options: the Temple Beth Emunah section and Shaarei Emunah: the Gates of Faith Interfaith section. The cemetery is located on Pearl Street (west side) just south of Belmont Street (route 123) in Brockton. For more information please contact Mort Saftler (508) 587-2470 PRIDE OF BROCKTON CEMETERY L’DOR V’DOR (From Generation to Generation) A Temple Beth Emunah Cemetery, located On South Street, Stoughton,Ma. Plots are available for purchase, to anyone of the Jewish Faith. Directions to the cemetery from Brockton: Take Pearl Street north into Stoughton (Route 27), After the T.J. Maxx Plaza, take your next right, this is South Street. The cemetery is 1/2mile down on the left side, it has a white stone wall in the front. For more information please contact:Harriet Robie 508-587-3250 Thank, You!! To all you Gift Card & Benefit Mobile shoppers! Together, we purchased, for the Holidays alone, over $20,000 in Gift Cards, making your Holiday shopping easier and making $650 for the Temple! Don’t Forget! We have Gift Cards year round! These stores and a whole lot more! Temple Beth Emunah Grilled Cheese Festival A family lunch following Hebrew School. The whole community is invited. Sunday January 25th at noon. $3 per person or $10 per family. Reserve online at bit.ly/tbeprograms, or at the Temple office at 508-583-5810 Nedorim RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND THE SAFTLER FAMILY FUND In Honor of: In Memory of: Mazel Tov to Steve & Barbara Stanley Rabinovitz Merlin on the birth of their Morton Saftler grandson Toby Saftler Howard & Sharon Shore Harvey & Estelle Blackman Rabbi Foss’ HH participation Suzanne & Robert Wyman Roz Nelson Roz Nelson Susan Shwom NEDORIM FUND Morton Saftler In Honor of: Ellis Joseph Merlin’s Birth In Honor of: Steve & Barbara Merlin Ilene Belinsky’s marriage Mazel Tov to Joelle & Ethan Ed & Debby Baron on the birth of their son Mazel Tov to Joelle & Ethan Reva & Alan Castaline on the birth of their son Reva Stickler Ed & Debby Baron Mazel Tov to Steve & Barbara Mazel Tov to Steve & Barbara on the birth of their grandson on the birth of their grandson Reva & Alan Castaline Ed & Debby Baron Rabbi Kamens’ HH participation Roz Nelson For the Recovery of: Rabbi Werb’s HH participation Dina Marcus Roz Nelson Marilyn Geller Rina Kirsch’s HH participation Ed & Debby Baron Roz Nelson Steve Merlin’s HH participation RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FUND Roz Nelson In Memory of: Judy & Bob Fishman’s HH Stanley Rabinovitz participation Toby Saftler Roz Nelson Claire Finstein Joel & Marilyn Geller In Memory of: In Memory of: Stanley Rabinovitz William Pockar Alan Gerofsky Jill Skerker Steve & Julie Deak Cheryl Lesser Rena Hurwitz THE ADAM SLOTNICK FUND Sherry Malone In Honor of: Richard Kean Bob & Judy Fishman’s Brother of Jack Baron new home The Bingo Committee Barbara & Stan Ashman Bernie Potischman Selma & Bill Kracoff In Memory of: Martin Wolf Bernie Tack Claire Finstein Eleanor & Bill Kopp Pearl Anapolsky Irving Young Roz Nelson Barbara & Stan Ashman THE RABBI H. DAVID WERB YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND In Honor of: My children, for a Happy & Healthy New Year Elliot & Leslie Schwartz CRAIG MENDELSON H.S. SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Norton Mendelson Roz Nelson The Temple thanks you for your support Nedorim donation – $5.00 Minyan Circle Donation - $10.00 Chai Circle Donation $18.00 Silver Circle Donation - $25.00 Special Gifts Donation - $50.00+ Please help us expedite matters by making all requests in writing, with complete names and addresses, including zip codes. THE YAHRZEIT FUND In Memory of: Bernard Saftler Morton Saftler Morris Director Marge Goldberg Atty. & Mrs. Samuel Saber Mr. & Mrs. James Saber Henry & Esther Cohen Melvyn & Lorna Cohen Joseph & Dorothy Cohen Melvyn & Lorna Cohen OTHER FUNDS YOU MAY DONATE TO: Hachnasat Orchim Aliyah Fund Herbert Cohen Fund Teen Aide Scholarship Fund Rabbi H. David Werb Meditation Garden Harry Belinsky Fund Dr. Stuart Birnbaum Defibrillator Fund David Licter Scholarship Fund Lawrence Liberman Fund Stuart Koretz Fund Bella Kovick Fund Richard Rosen Learning Series Schair Memorial Lecture Fund Hilary Schutt Fund Edward Teller Fund Louis and Ruth Zax Fund Jacob N. Lipman Religious School Michelle Goldstein Bornstein Fund Harry and Bessie Lemelman January 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 pm Candle light 4:05pm 4 5 B’Yachad 9 AM Build a pair workshop 9:45 AM Membership 11 AM 11 6 7 B’Yachad 3:45 PM Brotherhood Meeting BINGO 6:30 PM 12 13 14 B’Yachad 3:45 PM TELEM onsite 6 to 8 B’Yachad 10 AM BINGO 6:30 PM 8 9 Judiasm 101 7-9 Ritual 7 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 pm Candle light 2:12pm 15 16 17 Judiasm 101 7-9 Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 pm Candle light 4:19pm Shabbat Services 9:30 AM Battle Kiddush USY Snow Tubing 22 23 24 Shabbat Services 9:30 AM Battle Kiddush B’nai Mitzvah 12:30 Executive Bd 7 PM 18 19 No B’Yachad MLK Luncheon 1:15 PM 25 B’Yachad 9 AM Israel Program 10:30 AM PJ Library 9:30 AM FUN lunch 12 26 20 21 B’Yachad 3:45 PM TELEM offsite 6 to 8 Bd of Directors 7 PM 27 B’Yachad 3:45 PM TELEM offsite 6 to 8 Book of Daniel 7 PM Shabbat Services 9:30 AM Observant Life Book Discussion 12:30 10 Shabbat Services 9:30 AM B’Yachad Havdalah 4:45 PM USY Turkey Dance 7 PM BINGO 6:30 PM Judiasm 101 7-9 Ritual 7 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 pm Candle light 4:28pm 28 29 30 31 Shabbat Sampler & dinner 6:30 pm Candle light 4:37pm Shabbat Sampler 9:30 AM Jr Cong 10 AM Battle Kiddush BINGO 6:30 PM THE LAW OFFICES OF ILENE B. BELINSKY, P. C. Providing legal services to and for Individuals, Families and Small Businesses Concentrating in Family Law, Business Matters and Organization, Wills, and Estate Administration Metro South Executive Park // 1115 West Chestnut Street, Suite 206 Brockton, Massachusetts 02301-7501 (508) 587-2929 // www.belinskylaw.com
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