Founded
5745/1985
Adar & Nisan, 5775
Founded
March 2015
http://tbsfwb.com
Student Rabbi
Max Miller
President
Marty Siegel
1st Vice-President
Ed Mandel
2nd Vice-President
Alan Payne
Secretary
Joyce Karlson
Treasurer
Glenn Scharf
Past President
Herb Sanborn
Board of Directors
Burt Clayman, Dave Kaplan,
Mark Hammer, Andria Hill,
Erwin Fleet, Michael Walker
Religious School
Chad Hill
Religious Practices
Chuck London
Administrative Assistant
Webkeeper
Robin L A Matheson
the Rabbi’s Corner
W
S
hen the Jewish month of Adar enters
we are told that our joy should increase. This
idea comes to us from the Babylonian
Talmud (Taanit 29a). In Adar we not only
celebrate Purim, a holiday of joy and
celebration, but we mark the coming of
Spring.
Spring, the time of renewal in Jewish
tradition, is inexorably linked with Pesach the holiday of our redemption from slavery.
Pesach is by far my favorite holiday. The
Seder is filled with delicious foods, wonderful
songs and prayers, and my favorite part:
questions. Questions are so fundamental to
the holiday and to the Seder that we cannot
begin to tell the story until four very important
questions are asked.
This coming Pesach I want to challenge
you to ask questions. When we join together
for Seder I want everyone to bring a
question. Perhaps your question will have an
answer, perhaps it will not, but it is
fundamental to our Jewish tradition that we
ask! In preparation for our Seder I have a
question for you: what is your favorite Jewish
custom and what are its origins (personally
and traditionally)?
Max Miller
Student Rabbi
Our Location:
227 Beal Parkway NW at
Nature's Trail Court
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Mailing Address & Phone:
PO Box 111
Fort Walton Beach, FL
32549-0111
(850) 862-6086
Email Address:
[email protected]
How is a good sermon like
a piece of matzah?
They both should take less than
eighteen minutes!
the President’s Corner
T
HE VANISHING AMERICAN
REFORM JEW
Before I begin I must confess that “I have a
dog in this fight.” This is because I’m
concerned not only for my family’s future
Jewishness but also for that of Reform
Judaism.
If you read the second major release of
The Pew Research Religion & Public Life
Project issued in October 2013,
http://goo.gl/PV5ZwU, dealing with the
make-up and characteristics of the American
Jewish community there are facts that we
should be concerned with.
The survey suggests that Jewish identity
is changing in America, where 22% now
describe themselves as having no religion.
In a summary of the report it stated, “By
several conventional measures, Jews tend
to be less religious that the U.S. public as a
whole. Compared with overall population, for
example, Jews are less likely to say they
attend religious services weekly, that they
believe in God with absolute certainty, and
that religion is very important in their lives.
(Orthodox Jews are a clear exception in this
regard, exhibiting levels of religious
commitment that place them among the
most religiously committed groups in the
country) but while relatively few Jews attach
high importance to religion, eight-in-ten say
being Jewish is very important or somewhat
important to them.”
In “clicking” around the internet on this
subject I came across three articles touching
on the above that added to my concern. The
subject that these three sites, and there are
many, many more, have to do with interfaith
marriage. This is something that my family
and many in our temple family have dealt
with.
The Pew report indicated, “Moreover,
intermarriage rates seem to have risen
substantially over the last five decades.
Among Jewish respondents who have
To PREZ - PG. 4
1
7
DONATIONS
he oldest complete manuscript of the Haggadah dates
to the 10th century. It is part of a prayer book compiled
by Saadia Gaon. The earliest known Haggadot
produced as works in their own right are manuscripts
from the 13th and 14th centuries, such as "The Golden
Haggadah" (probably Barcelona c. 1320) and the
"Sarajevo Haggadah" (late 14th century). It is believed
that the first printed Haggadot were produced in 1482,
in Guadalajara, Spain; however this is mostly conjecture.
The oldest confirmed printed Haggadah was printed in
Soncino, Lombardy in 1486 by the Soncino family.
Although the Jewish printing community was quick to
adopt the printing press as a means of producing texts,
the general adoption rate of printed Haggadot was
slow. By the end of the 16th century, only twenty-five
editions had been printed. This number increased to
thirty-seven during the 17th century, and 234 during the
18th century. It is not until the 19th century, when 1,269
separate editions were produced, that a significant shift
is seen toward printed Haggadot as opposed to
manuscripts. From 1900–1960 alone, over 1,100
Haggadot were printed.
While the main portions of the text of the
Haggadah have remained mostly the same since their
original compilation, there have been some additions
after the last part of the text. Some of these additions,
such as the cumulative songs "One little goat" ("Had
Gadyah") and "Who Knows One?" ("Ehad Mi Yodea"),
which were added sometime in the fifteenth century,
gained such acceptance that they became a standard to
print at the back of the Haggadah.
In recent times, attempts have been made to
modernize and revitalize the Haggadah, but Orthodox
Jews continue to adhere to the traditional texts.
The earliest Ashkenazi illuminated Haggada is
known as the "Bird's Head Haggada", now in the
collection of The Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The
Rylands Haggadah is one of the finest Haggadot in the
world. It was written and illuminated in Catalonia in the
14th century and is an example of the cross-fertilization
between Jewish and non-Jewish artists within the
medium of manuscript illumination. In spring and
summer 2012 it was exhibited at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York.
The British Library's 14th century Barcelona
Haggadah is one of the most richly pictorial of all Jewish
texts. Meant to accompany the Passover eve service and
festive meal, it was also a status symbol for its owner in
14th-century Spain. Nearly all its folios are filled with
miniatures depicting Passover rituals, Biblical and
Midrashic episodes, and symbolic foods.
Published in 1526, the Prague Haggadah is known
for its attention to detail in lettering and introducing
many of the themes still found in modern texts. Although
illustrations had often been a part of the Haggadah, it
was not until the Prague Haggadah that they were used
extensively in a printed text. The Haggadah features
over sixty woodcut illustrations picturing "scenes and
symbols of the Passover ritual; biblical and rabbinic
elements that actually appear in the Haggadah text;
and scenes and figures from biblical or other sources that
play no role in the Haggadah itself, but have either past
or future redemptive associations".
When contributing to TBS
please consider these established categories
in addition to any causes
that are dear to your heart, & we thank you.
CARPET REPLACEMENT FUND
HIGH HOLY DAYS
MITZVAH CARDS
PRAYER BOOK DONATIONS / DEDICATIONS
RABBI LEAF FUND
SPECIAL FUND
TREE OF LIFE LEAVES
TBS FOUNDATION/WASHOFSKY SUMMER CAMP FUND
TBS FOUNDATION
YIZKOR
CARRIE GLASSMAN HIGH HOLY DAYS FLOWER FUND
The Hertzfeld Family
GENERAL
Vivian & Paul Nelson
Margaret Finkle Charitable Fund
 in memory of Margaret & Mel Finkle
HOLOCAUST TORAH FUND
Wendy & Alan Payne
 in memory of Joe Fraden
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
Lori, Craig, and Brenna Oliver
 1 tree planted in memory of Marge Jones
YAHRZEITS
Della & Ed Mandel
 in memory of Jerome Chasan
Georgi & Herb Sanborn
 in memory of Mary Sanborn
Jo & Erwin Fleet
 in memory of Nathan Fleet
Sue & Barry Cohen
 in memory of David Cohen
Mildred Clark
 in memory of Jerrold Clark
Lila & Phil Block
 in memory of Rose Cohen
Robert Horowitz
 in memory of Solomon & Gary Horowitz
TREASURER’S CORNER
If you have any questions regarding financial matters,
general or personal, do not hesitate to contact me.
Remember all conversations are confidential.
It is the policy of Temple Beth Shalom that
members are NEVER turned away for financial reasons.
REMINDER: Mail checks & receipts to:
Temple Beth Shalom Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 111
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32549-0111
Glenn Scharf
[email protected]
(850)243-6713 (office) (850)598-1596 (cell)
2
PREZ - from pg. 1
March Dates to Remember
gotten married since 2000, nearly six-in-ten have a nonJewish spouse. Among those who got married in the
1980s, roughly four-in-ten have a non-Jewish spouse.
And among Jews who got married before 1970, just
17% have a non-Jewish spouse.
http://goo.gl/JuS8DK
http://goo.gl/IhGOzG
And this one from the Orthodox Union: “After Pew:
What will it take to save American Jewry?” This is a 16
page report with some very interesting facts.
http://goo.gl/d2sZZp
It is encouraging to see that at TBS our interfaith
couples are raising their children as Jews. This is
evident at our Religious School. But how do we ensure
that they continue this education into adulthood?
To leave on a positive note here is a way from the
Orthodox site above:
“Encourage young people to attend Jewish camps,
to go on Taglit/Birthright. It is well known that attending
a Jewish camp can help solidify one’s Jewish identity in
a powerful way. Encourage your nonreligious friends
and co-workers to send their children to a Jewish camp
or summer program. Such an intense Jewish
experience can literally be life changing…camping and
summer experiences that are designed for unaffiliated
kids and instills in them a deep and abiding appreciation
for Judaism.”
We at TBS have funds available to help with
expenses. Please contact Chad Hill ([email protected])
or Chuck London ([email protected]) for more
information.
Marty Siegel
President
Birthdays
Temple Directory Update
Temple
Beth Shalom welcomes the following new
members to the congregation:
Kathryn & James Hyatt…………………. (850)226-4776
332 Woodrow St NE apt 4, FWB, FL 32547-2264
[email protected]
Beth & Robert Ostroff……………….….. (314)800-7284
156 Beach Dr, FWB, FL 32547-2467
[email protected]
Please report all & any mistakes/changes in information
Wedding Anniversaries
Fern & Joseph Trambley
Jenna & Aron Ritterband
3/15
3/21
Yahrzeits
Alex Nemoff
Eileen Greenfield
Martha Winter
Leon Aussenberg
Roger Elliott
Beatrice Charcas
Vera Rothwell
Hyman Packman
Miriam Washofsky
Gary Horowitz
Eva Saiff
Irving Gold
Henry Simmons
Herman Gross
Bertha Rothstein
Janet Nadel Morell
Sylvia Barnett
Maida Fraden
Joseph Steinberg
Katherine D’Agostino
Leigh Ann Clark
3/01
3/02
3/02
3/06
3/07
3/09
3/10
3/10
3/11
3/13
3/13
3/14
3/18
3/20
3/20
3/23
3/24
3/26
3/26
3/28
3/31
note that Kaddish is recited at the Friday
Shabbat service after the Yahrzeit. If the Yahrzeit
occurs on a Saturday, it is recited the previous Friday
night. If you would like to make a donation in memory
of your loved one, as is traditional, you may do so by
sending a check to Temple Beth Shalom, PO Box
111, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32549-0111. Please write
in the memo line “Yahrzeit donation in memory of
_______”.
If you want to make a correction or addition, please
email [email protected] or leave a message at
(850)862-6086. 
Men’s Breakfast Chavurah
The Men’s Breakfast Chavurah
will meet on Tuesday,
February 10, 2015 at the Two Trees, FWB Golf Club,
at 8:30 AM.
Topics are, as usual, open, and informal. Fellowship
is foremost. Encourage others to join our group. Pass
the word around!
(850)897-5057
3/01
3/01
3/04
3/05
3/14
3/16
3/17
3/17
3/18
3/21
3/25
3/26
Please
to the Admin Assistant, [email protected]. 
Phil Block
Aaron Barniv
Jeremy Pederson
Sergei Naydenov
Art Lester
Shirley Mandel
Gabriel Callier
Pamela Powell
Selah Walker
David Rovner
Chuck London
Alison Freiman
Mary Strynar
[email protected]
3
I was ashamed
Recently
I was contacted by a reporter from the Bay
Beacon who had attended the “Stand for Israel” rally in
Pensacola at which I spoke about the Volunteers for
Israel. She wanted to do an article on the program. She
asked if she could be present when I conducted an
interview. I explained that I had none scheduled
presently (actually, I did have one with a non-Jew).
Since we do not actively recruit non-Jews, I did not
mention it. She then asked how many in our Jewish
community had participated in the program. Sheepishly
and honestly I had to answer “just me”. Then an amazed
“Really?” followed by a long silence that said volumes –
you knew she was thinking, “Jews here do not want to
support Israel?” I, of course, went on to explain how our
Jews support Israel by large donations and other
methods. These, obviously, are extremely important,
but how many of us are willing to take two or three
weeks out of our lives and busy schedules to get our
hands dirty to actually support the Israeli war effort by
packing medical supplies, refurbishing equipment, filling
sand bags and other necessary tasks to keep the IDF
prepared. With this in mind, I thanked her and tactfully
declined the article. What kind of message would this
imply to our non-Jewish community?
Of the over forty volunteers that I have processed
since I have become regional manager for the north and
west coast of Florida, approximately 30 percent have
been non-Jews as opposed to nationwide 20 percent.
Most of these have discovered the program through
contact with other volunteers or through searching the
internet for ways to support the State of Israel.
Considering that we do not actively recruit non-Jews,
this is exceptionally high. Where is the Jewish
commitment to support Israel?
I do not mean to imply that all of our community
Jews do not want to participate. Many cannot because
of health conditions and are not physically able; others
cannot because of financial reasons and others that
have just too many obligations. I would only ask them to
promote the program to others they know that are able.
But there are others of us, including myself (I have only
been twice), that seem to find excuses to put it off and
willing to let someone else do it.
I have made a personal commitment to volunteer
once a year as long as I am physically able. I am
planning to go in October or sooner (if hostilities require
it). I invite anyone interested to join me. I want to do
whatever I can to insure “NEVER AGAIN” is not just an
idiom, but a commitment.
Jerry Barnett
Florida Coordinator
Volunteers for Israel
What: A “FUN-d” Raising
Luncheon and Meeting
When: Sunday, March 8, 2015
Time: 1 PM - 3 PM
Place: The Terrace at Pelican Beach
970 Hwy 98 East
Destin, FL 32541
Contact: Marie Schwartz
(850) 654-4739; Cell (717) 642-8343
Lunch Provided
Guest Speaker: Dr. Art Lester, M.D.
Gift Basket Auction
Ice Breakers - Greeting Cards – Door Prizes
Non-Members and guests are welcome!
Donations by check payable to:
Emerald Coast Hadassah
Carpooling is available. Call for information.
RSVP, please………..Betty Siegel (897-0522)
Emails: (Betty) – [email protected]
(Marie) – [email protected]
4
You are cordially invited to join us for the
Temple Beth Shalom Community Seder
Saturday, April 4th, 2015
(second night of Passover)
Eglin AFB Bayview Club 6 PM
Buffet Menu
Matzah Ball Soup
Salad of Dressed Mixed Greens Gefilte Fish
Beef Brisket Sicilian & Baked Chicken
Herb Roasted Red Jacket Potatoes, Spring Vegetable Medley
Fresh Fruit Cup Coffee Tea Water Kosher Wine Matzah
Reservations are open now through March 14, 2015 for TBS members, families & guests ONLY.
After that date, reservations will be open to ALL on a space available basis.
The prepaid cost for TBS MEMBERS is:
 $38.00 per adult, $12.50 per child (ages 3 – 10)
 There is a family maximum of $90.00 for two adults and two or more children (ages 3 – 10).
 For a single parent family with 2 or more children (3 – 10), the maximum is $55.
The prepaid cost for NON-MEMBERS is:
 $48.00 per adult, $16.00 per child (ages 3 – 10)
Special cost arrangements may be discussed & reservations made through:
Marty Siegel (850)897-0522 OR [email protected].
Remember all conversations are confidential and are NOT discussed with anyone else.
Entry to the base is not complicated when you follow the below requirements.
With your reservations, those WITHOUT military ID must provide:
1. Names, Dates of Birth, SSNs.
2. Additionally, those 16 and over MUST provide DL# (including State) OR other valid picture ID#.
VALID PICTURE ID’s include Driver’s License, School ID, other State ID or Federal ID.
SSN’s will be used by the Security Police Office ONLY for security requirements.
They will be released to NO-ONE ELSE.
Reservations for all are due Monday, March 30, 2015. None will be accepted thereafter.
Reservations will not be finalized without payment.
NO EXCEPTIONS
A Map is on the reverse of this page and is available by request through email.
Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Shalom, with “Seder” on the NOTE line and send to:
Temple Beth Shalom attn: Seder
PO Box 111
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32549-0111
Checks will not be cashed until after the event.
The tables seat 10. If you have a particular seating wish, please let Robin know.
We’ll try as best we can to satisfy those requests.
Any questions? Please contact Robin Matheson at (850)243-2879 OR [email protected].
If you have a copy of A Passover Haggadah, edited by Herbert Bronstein, (shown above, right)
please bring it with you, as the temple has a limited amount of copies.
Remember, the ABSOLUTE deadline for reservations and payment is Monday, March 30, 2015.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
5
6
March 2015
Sun
1
9:30 AM
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Thu
5
Fri
Sat
6
7:30 PM 7
10 AM
Erev Shabbat
Weekly Torah/
Purim/Ki Tisa
Haftarah/
Service & Oneg
Prophets
led by
Study and
Rabbi Max
Discussion
Religious
School
Purim Lesson
Elementary/Middle
Early Release Day
Purim
Ta’anit Esther
8
9:30 AM
9
Religious
School
10
8:30 AM
Men’s Breakfast
Chavurah,
Two Trees
Restaurant,
FWB Golf Club
11
12
Shushan Purim
13
7:30 PM 14
10 AM
Erev Shabbat
Weekly Torah/
Vayakhel
Haftarah/
-Pekudei/Parah
Prophets
Study and
Discussion
Service & Oneg
led by
Rabbi Max
Contemporary
6:30 PM
Board of
Directors
meets
All are Welcome!!
15
9:30 AM
16
17
18
19
Religious
School
20
7:30 PM 21
10 AM
Erev Shabbat
Weekly Torah/
Vayikra/
Haftarah/
HaHodesh Lay
Prophets
Service & Oneg
Study and
led by
Discussion
Robin Matheson
NO
SCHOOL/Teacher
Work Day
22
NO
23
24
25
26
Religious
School
Spring Break
7
27
Rosh Hodesh
Nisan
7:30 PM 28
10 AM
Erev Shabbat
Weekly Torah/
Tzav/HaGadol
Haftarah/
Lay Service &
Prophets
Oneg
Study and
led by
Discussion
Chuck London
Temple Beth Shalom
PO Box 111
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32549-0111
March TBS Events At-a-Glance

Friday,
Saturday,
Tuesday,
March 6,
March 7,
March 10,
Friday,
March 13,
7:30 PM,
10 AM,
8:30 AM,
6:30 PM,
7:30 PM,
Saturday,
Friday,
Saturday,
Friday,
Saturday,
March 14,
March 20,
March 21,
March 27,
March 28,
10 AM,
7:30 PM,
10 AM,
7:30 PM
10 AM,
Kabbalat Shabbat Ki Tisa/Purim Service & Oneg
Weekly Torah Study & Evaluation
Men’s Breakfast Chavurah – Two Trees, FWB Golf Club
Board of Directors meets
Kabbalat Shabbat Vayakhel/Pekudei Contemporary
Service & Oneg
Weekly Torah Study & Perusal
Kabbalat Shabbat Vayikra Lay Service & Oneg
Weekly Torah Study & Questions
Kabbalat Shabbat Tzav Lay Service & Oneg
Weekly Torah Study & Investigation
Religious School meets every Sunday this month EXCEPT the 22nd!
8