A message from our president - The Temple, Congregation B'nai … · Marissa Ann McLain, daughter...
Transcript of A message from our president - The Temple, Congregation B'nai … · Marissa Ann McLain, daughter...
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A message from our president... What would you guess has been the most rewarding experience as B’nai Jehudah’s President? Short answer: It has been the many conversations with my fellow congregants. What has been my biggest regret? Short answer: I have not begun to have enough individual conversations. We are living in a time when being close with family and friends are even more important. There is a great deal of stress in the world around us. Perhaps it is a time to create even more comforting healthy dialogs and relationships with those in our everyday lives. Having caring conversations with one another helps reduce stress as well as drive home the realization that there is much about which to be grateful. Over the past several months the individual conversations I have had with fellow congregants have been rewarding, rich and in some cases inspirational. I have:
• Learned about impressive journeys in people’s lives.
• Obtained a sense of the histories of families.
• Developed a deeper understanding of views different than my own.
• Learned from some what keeps them up at night.
• Gained more understanding of what people look forward to each new day.
• Learned about the little joys and accomplishments of some new friends.
• Been inspired by how people have overcome tremendous challenges.
• Learned how one person extended the lifespans of many.
• Discovered a greater love and pride in being Jewish.
• Become more engaged in the lives of fellow congregants.
• Sensed that my children have more pride in being Jewish.
• Appreciated that action & behavior not words speak the truth.
• Admired the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. During the last 18 months I have experienced joy in taking time to listen to the ideas, dreams, concerns and even disappointments of many of you. I have heard enthusiasm and excitement expressed as people look forward to our building renovation project. Many congregants look forward to having a more spiritual building, to serve the needs of our families. However, in conversations I have had I also have learned about disappointments congregants have had with B’nai Jehudah. There are some who do not feel as connected to our community as we would like them to feel. To me it is always good to get positive feedback about the good we do in serving congregants. But it is just as important, perhaps even more important, to learn from those congregants who feel that their needs are not being addressed. B’nai Jehudah makes a positive difference in touching the lives of our members and the outside community. It is not perfection we seek as a congregation; it is progression in becoming a warmer and more caring community that we seek. If all of us treat each other with Open Hearts, Holiness and Common Decency we will continue on our journey to become the most caring and welcoming congregation in our country. How would each one of us feel if everyone of our fellow congregants treated us as if we were the most important person in the world when they see us? If we felt that important why would any of us ever want to leave this congregation? Two years ago I heard Dr. Ron Wolfson, a Jewish educator speak at a Jewish Community Center Biennial Convention. His talk was about the importance of relationships in transforming a Jewish Community. I visited with Dr. Wolfson and have read both of his books about the subject. In Dr. Wolfson’s first book Relational Judaism, Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community he states, “People will come to synagogues, Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Federations and other Jewish organizations for programs, but they will stay for relationships. Programs are wonderful opportunities for community members to gather, to celebrate and learn.” Dr. Wolfson reminds us that we need to continue to build strong relationships in B’nai Jehudah. Engaging in individual conversations and participating in small groups like Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Mitzvah Garden, committees, task forces or study groups will continue to help us build a strong, vibrant and lasting congregational community. If each one of us had a conversation with someone we did not know and ask them to share their background or story, we will make new friends and create warm relationships. Let us in the months ahead greet each other with more warmth, care and enthusiasm. Ken Sigman, President [email protected] , 816-516-1001
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Daily Minyan Monday—Thursday 5:45pm, Sunday 11:30am
Holiday Exceptions: Federal holidays, when the office is closed, minyan is held at 9:30am the morning of the holiday. For Jewish holidays, holiday
services replace daily minyan.
B’NAI MITZVAH
Marissa Ann McLain, daughter of Michelle Adler and David Wexler, will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah during the 10:30 am Shabbat service on December 1, 2018. Marissa is a 7th grade student at Indian Woods Middle School. She currently participates in Kesher. Marissa plays the violin and
basketball. She is passionate about art, music and helping others. For her tzedakah project, Marissa volunteered for Noah’s Bandage Project, helping collect cool and fun bandages for kids that need them and spreading awareness about pediatric cancer.
Noah Isaac Kavan, son of Cindy and Joel Kavan, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah during the 10:30 am Shabbat service on December 8, 2018. Noah is a 7th grade student at Pleasant Ridge Middle School. He is active in Kesher, BBYO and attends Camp Sabra. Noah plays guitar and participates in
basketball, cross country, soccer and football. For his tzedakah project, Noah raised money for the Ronald McDonald House by hosting a bake sale. He also collected for snack bags which he assembled and delivered to Ronald McDonald House.
Samantha Jordan Squire, daughter of Mindi & Jamie Squire, will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah during the 10:30 am Shabbat service on December 15, 2018. Samantha is a 7th grade student at Leawood Middle School. She currently participates in Kesher and attends Herzl Camp every summer. Samantha enjoys
playing volleyball, basketball, baking and hanging out with her friends. For her tzedakah project, Samantha organized and played bingo with the residents of Village Shalom.
UPCOMING SERVICE TIMES
Friday, November 30 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, December 1 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Bat Mitzvah: Marissa McLain Parashat Vayeshev Friday, December 7 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service 180 Menorahs Service and Dinner Saturday, December 8 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah: Noah Kavan Parashat Miketz Friday, December 14 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, December 15 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Bat Mitzvah: Samantha Squire Parashat Lech Vayigash Friday, December 21 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service
Saturday, December 22 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Parashat Veyechi Friday, December 28 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, December 29 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Parashat Shemot
SOCIAL ACTION
Give Blood – Give the Gift of Life On Sunday, December 16, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, we will be holding the second of this year’s Blood Drives. It will be held during Religious School. Contact Gary Rogoff (913-522-5307; [email protected]) to sign up and for information.
Micah Ministries – Serving Food Monday, December 17 5:00 – 7:00 pm 606 Gladstone Blvd, KCMO 64124 While we do not provide transportation, there are a group of dedicated volunteers who will give you the low-down on this particular Mitzvah.
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“To keep Chanukah alive, you have to emphasize the task of telling and explaining the meaning of the celebration” Joel Lurie Grishaver
8 DAYS OF
CHANUKAH
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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR URJ CAMPS AND ISRAEL TRIPS
It’s not too early to think about sending your child to Jewish summer camp. Need financial help to send your child to camp or Israel? Through the generosity of donors, B’nai Jehudah has several scholarship funds to help send children to URJ camps and Israel. Scholarships are awarded each year to help worthy students. Criteria include enrollment in Religious School or Hebrew Academy and involvement in Jewish life. All requests are kept strictly confidential. A lay Scholarship Committee reviews applications blind and only the Executive Director knows the identity of the applicants. Scholarship applications are available now at the B’nai Jehudah office or by calling Jeanne Adler (913) 663-2641. Below is a list of our camp and Israel trip scholarship funds. We thank the families who established these funds for the youth of our congregation. Donations to support our children attending camp and Israel programs can be made to any of the following funds: CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS: Jacob and Elizabeth Blum Temple Camp Scholarship Fund, Alfred and Bernice Blumenthal Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund, Bob Jonas Memorial Camp Scholarship, Bud and Ethel Liebman Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund, Nathan Weiner Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund YOUTH ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIPS: Barney and Estelle Goldberg Memorial Israel Scholarship Fund, Ben and Helen Poisner Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund Deadline for all scholarship applications is February 1, 2019.
FOR SUMMER 2019 AND MORE!
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B’NAI JEHUDAH SISTERHOOD - The benefits are never ending
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ADULT PROGRAM
Celebrating 40 Years or More
Jan & Ed Barash Sherry & Michael Blumenthal
Gloria & Steve Cohen Teri & Steve Cohn
Ellen & Mike Dalen Kathy & Bob DeWitt
Heidy & Norman Farber Pella & Jack Fingersh Linda & Brad Finkle
Sharon & Steve Gerson Trudie & Greg Goldberg
Phyllis & Rudy Green Gayle & Steve Jagoda
Bev & Juddy Johl Raquel & Joe Kanarek
Marcia & Steven Komm Gayle & Bruce Krigel Susan & Irwin Levine Debbie & Jay Lubin Judy & Larry Mayer
Carol & Mike Morgan Lana & Gary Ravis
Ruby & Bert Reuben Diane & Michael Shultz Margaret & Jerry Singer
Bev & Stan Singer Nancy & Bob Tomassi Linda & Marc Turner
Janet & Louie Zwillenberg
Turn It and Turn It Again Jewish Texts Throughout the Ages Weekly Torah Portion With Rabbi Nemitoff and Rabbi Smiley Wednesdays at 10:00 – 11:30 am This seminar focuses on the weekly Torah reading with occasional excursions to other elements of Jewish life.
Talmud Study With Rabbi Padorr Wednesdays at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Yevamot: a discussion about procreation: is there an obligation to raise children? How many? Gender? How do we take these Talmudic discussions and apply them to our community and lives today? Join the rabbis of the Talmud for a dynamic
discussion of Judaism and Jewish law and behavior: a way of thinking and looking at the world then and now. We are looking at various aspects of the relationship between spouses: inception of marriage, during the marriage, after the marriage whether by divorce or death. We study in English and its relevance for today’s world. Please join us as we continue our stimulating discussions. For information please call Rabbi Beryl Padorr, Shared Vision Coordinator (913-663-1805; [email protected]). Or just show up!
From Our Accounting Office YEAR END DONATIONS We will be moving the offices in late December and will not be able to process donations during part of that time. We are asking that donations be made prior to December 18 to insure those donations are processed in 2018 and will be on the donor statements sent to you at the end of January 2019. December is the seventh month of the fiscal year here at B’nai Jehudah. Please take a look at the statement you received at the first of the month. It is vital that payment of your Terumah commitment be made as soon as possible. If you would like to make a payment using a credit card, please call our Bookkeeper, Tricia Ghekas (913-378-1260; [email protected]) or return the stub of your statement with your credit card information. If you would like to make a payment with appreciated stock and take advantage of the tax deductions this year, please contact Executive Director Jeanne Adler (913-663-2641; [email protected]) and she can direct you on where to send the stock.
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RABBI NEMITOFF'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
HIGH HOLIDAYS
High Holidays
Barbara & David Bayer
MEMORY
Stacey Reines
Judy & Larry Mayer
Ronald Shapiro
Ilene Shapiro
Mike Shapiro
Lois Singer
Manon Mallin
Ruth Spielman
Steven Spielman
TZEDAKAH
Judith & Laurence Mayer
Irv Robinson Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
WEDDING
Emily Kasman & Yuri Shif
Sharon & Robert Kasman
YAHRZEIT
Juda Gilgus
Beverly & Larry Mallin
Arthur Nachman
Judy & Larry Mayer
Morris Rosenberg
Beverly & Larry Mallin
Morris Ruderman
Gail Shaw
Brad Shaw & Family
Melissa Ritter & Family
Reva Mann Ruderman
Gail Shaw
Gloria Schlossenberg
The Schlossenberg Family
Sandra Shaffer
Norman Shaffer
Harry Sircus
Manon Mallin
RABBI SMILEY'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
MEMORY
Ronald Shapiro
Ilene Shapiro
Lois Singer
Debra & Mark Singer
YAHRZEIT
Dorothy Balke
Thomas Balke
JACOB AND ELIZABETH BLUM TEMPLE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND
MEMORY
Mickey Adler
Jenifer & Michael Blum
MOSSEL-MILLER DWORKIN EDUCATION FUND
MEMORY
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Sharon & Steve Gerson
GENERAL FUND
BAT MITZVAH
Evelyn Harris
Freida & Marshall Duny
Jennifer Savage Sales
Betsy & Bruce Sales
BIRTHDAY
Carol Marks
Bonnie & Herb Buchbinder
MEMORY
Mickey Adler
Vicky & Howard Mayer
Audree M. Klein Baer
Beverly & George Lewis
Vera Caruso
Mary & Mark Greenberg
Jean Weill Nachman
Beverly & George Lewis
Vicky & Howard Mayer
Jeane Navran Oppenheim
Robert Navran
Ronald Shapiro
Kiley Brooks
Alice & Tom Lewinsohn
Beverlee Lopez-Plata
Irv Robinson & Ellen Miller
Alice & Clarence Winer
Lois Singer
Shirley & Suzanne Passman
Harry Sircus
Robert Navran
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Trudie & Greg Goldberg
Betty & Rick Klein
Irv Robinson & Ellen Miller
Barbara & John Waldron
YAHRZEIT
Marcus Bendorf
Gen. Harry H. Bendorf
Mary Berman
Lindy Glass
Rebecca Bold
Carol & Larry Bold
Sidney Carr
Rose Carr
Nellie Eisman
Sandra Parelman
Louis Fehr
Minnie Fehr
Irene Fehr
Pauline Gelhaar
Eugene Gelhaar
Michelle Harris
Evelyn Harris
Allen Hecht
Michelle & Neal Deutch
Charlene Hecht
Barbara & Scott Hecht
Rosa Pfeifer Isacson
Patricia Werthan Uhlmann & Family
Louis Jacobs
Rose Carr
Dorothy "Sis" Katz
Donna & Ward Katz
Jack W. Kuhn, Sr.
The John Uhlmann Family
Martin Levy
Mark Levy
Ethel Liebman
Judy Liebman
Thelma Magariel
Barbara & Scott Hecht
June Miller
Vicki & Alan Bronfman
Martha Neiburger
Roe Bovos
Bertha Nussbaum
Janis Senungetulk
Marvin Peltzman
Julia Peltzman Wolff
Nina Peltzman Wolff
John Roberts
Barbara & Scott Hecht
Rebecca Goldberg Snyder
Trudie & Greg Goldberg
Lawrence Starr
Norton Starr
Alois Alvin Stulz
DONATIONS
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Marge Adler
Hazel F. Tigerman
Charles L. Tigerman
John Wallace
Bill Wallace
LIBRARY FUND
MEMORY
Lois Singer
Jeanette Lewis
YAHRZEIT
Marcia Geiderman
Jeanette Lewis
MEMORIAL & REMEMBRANCE FUND
YAHRZEIT
Morris Kurz
Hal Kurz
Jimmie Kurz
Steve Kurz
MITZVAH GARDEN
YAHRZEIT
Florence Kirschbaum
Steve Kirschbaum
Susie Kirschbaum & Walt Stubbings
PRESCHOOL FUND
MEMORY
Toby Simon
Bonnie & Len Friedman
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Bonnie & Len Friedman
Janet & Louie Zwillenberg & Family
YAHRZEIT
Harry Friedman
Jeanette Friedman
Bonnie & Len Friedman
RENOVATION CAMPAIGN
APPRECIATION
Dan Stolper
Gloria & Eddie Feinstein
MEMORY
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Donna & Harvey Thalblum
SOCIAL ACTION/HUNGER FUND
BIRTH
Rita & Matt Sudhalter's grandson
Marilyn & Cal Cohen
MEMORY
June Miller
Kristy Blackman
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Kristy Blackman
Evy & Lowell Tilzer
YAHRZEIT
June Feinsilver
Evy & Lowell Tilzer
Harvey R. Hyken
Linda, Myles, Amy, Jason Hyken & Julian Lande
Morris Katz
Irma & Jack Katz
Tea Stiefel
Joan Greenbaum & Family
Marsha Stiefel Pinson & Family
WENDY TALBOT MEMORIAL YOUTH-IN-CRISIS OUTREACH TEMPLE FUND
MEMORY
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Hope & Marshall Talbot
JACK S. TRANIN SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND
YAHRZEIT
Bess Tranin
Barbara & Ted O'Connor
SISTERHOO FUNDS
HELEN S. GREEN MEMORIAL PULPIT FLOWER/FOOD BASKET FUND
MEMORY
Lois Singer
Rosalie Bovos
RUTH KAROL LEADERSHIP TRAINING FUND
BAR MITZVAH
Judah Schuster
Jill Jacob
MEMORY
Frank Adler
Milton Adler
Stacey Aviva Solomon
Jill Jacob
DONATIONS Donations to the synagogue are
always greatly appreciated. Due to the increased administrative and postage costs necessary to notify
recipients of your generous gifts, we ask that each donation be $18 or more per requested notification.
Thank You!
We Remember
Anne Fox Greenbaum Mother of Larry Greenbaum
Marilyn Hoffman
Loved one of Paul Wacknov Cherished Member
Rowena Marcella Jacobs
Mother of Larry Jacobs
Bernadyne Hurst Mother of Steven Hurst
Cherished Member
Marcia U. Krinsky Sister of Brenda Schifman
Betty Robbins
Mother of Ruth Gordon Cherished Member
Shon Showalter
Brother of Cody Showalter
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The next bulletin will be the January 2019 issue. The deadline for the Jan bulletin is Dec 5. If you have any questions about the Temple Bulletin please contact Jeanne Adler, at 913-663-2641.
B’nai Jehudah Blood Drive Sunday, December 16
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Please come donate blood. Bring friends and relatives.
For more information and to reserve a time,
Contact Gary Rogroff, [email protected]
12320 NALL AVENUE OVERLAND PARK, KS 66209
PHONE: 913-663-4050 / FAX: 913-906-9544 WEB: WWW.BNAIJEHUDAH.ORG
Dated material -do not delay. Return service requested.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID Kansas City, Mo.
Permit No. 721
RABBIS Rabbi Arthur P. Nemitoff, Senior Rabbi Rabbi Sarah Smiley, Rabbi
OFFICERS Ken Sigman, President Amy Bryant, Vice President Adam Cohen, Vice President Amanda Morgan King, Vice President Sharon Iseman, Secretary/Treasurer Jocelyn Fry, President-Elect ADMINISTRATION Jeanne Adler, FTA, Executive Director Michelle Cox, Music Director Dayna Gershon, Director of Formal & Informal Education Rabbi Beryl Padorr, Shared Vision Coordinator Emily Williams, Assistant Director of Education
EMERITUS Michael R. Zedek, Rabbi Emeritus