Ha’ShofarVOLUME IX, ISSUE 12

CONGREGATION

BETH ISRAEL

December 2017

InsideMessage from the

President...... p. 2

Prayer Corner

..................... p. 3

Ongoing Events

..................... p. 3

Friday Noon

Study Group .......

......................p. 5

CBI Committee

News............ p. 7

Capital Campaign

Update ....... p. 11

Gift Shop

................... p. 11

Donations .... p. 13

December

Calendar .... p. 16

Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression broughton by limited or excessive daylight, impacts anestimated 15 to 25% of the US population witharound 5% displaying severe symptoms. It isprobably not by coincidence, then, that spiritualtraditions in the Northern Hemisphere tend tohave a light-centered festival in the depth ofwinter. In fact, even before the Hasmoneanvictory there seems to have been a winter festivalamong the Judeans known as Nerot (Lamps)which took place around the solstice. This year,Hanukkah ends on December 20 – WinterSolstice begins the next day, when the days beginto grow longer again.

This reminds me of a Midrash (Talmud BavliAvodah Zarah 8a) of the first Hanukkah (and it’sprobably earlier than you thought). Jewish legendtells the story that when the first humans saw thenights growing longer, they grew afraid that theworld was coming to an end because of theiractions in the garden. To try and avert thepunishment, the first humans fasted and prayedfor eight days. After eight days they saw the daysgrowing longer and the following year theycelebrated during those same eight days.

We so often think of Hanukkah as looking back,but the truth is that we are really being pushed tolook forward. The word Hanukkah itself comesfrom the same place as the word hinnukh, mean-ing education. We only educate ourselves aboutthe past in order to be able to be better suited tomove into the future. In seeking to educate futuregenerations about the past, a very good questionis presented in Megillat Ta’anit, a 2nd centurynarrative calendar. In Megillat Ta’anit it asks: Ifthe Dedication of the Mishkan by Moshe, theDedication of the Temple by Solomon, theDedication of the Temple by Ezra, and the Dedi-cation of the Walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiahwere all seven days, then why was the Dedicationof the Hasmoneans eight days? The answer giventhere is that they spent seven days applying plas-ter to the altar and it was only on the followingday that they found seven stakes, covered them

in tin, and turned them into a menorah. It wouldseem, according to this tradition, that the Has-moneans broke the mold of the seven day festivalin establishing Hanukkah. Irrelevant of seven oreight days, the motivation of the Hasmoneansmight have been something other than memori-alizing their past and may rather have beenencouraging future generations to look forward.A similar idea is encapsulated by a differentMidrash (Pesikta Rabbati 2) and a perplexingquestion is posed: How many Hanukkahs arethere? To which the answer is: Seven!

1) The Dedication of Creation, 2) The Dedicationof the Mishkan, 3) The Dedication of the FirstTemple, 4) The Dedication of the Second Temple,5) The Dedication of the Walls of Jerusalem,6) The Dedication of the Hasmoneans, and 7) TheDedication of the World that is Coming, becauseeven that will have Nerot, as it is written, Thelight of the moon will be as the light of the sun,and the light of the sun will be seven-fold as thelight of seven days, (Isa. 30:26).

Hanukkah comes as a ritualized reminder thatdarkness – both literal and figurative – is neverpermanent; that light will always dispel darkness.May the lights of our menorah shine seven-fold,and may the lightening of days after the WinterSolstice bring a brightening of prosperity andjustice in this world so that all may have a tasteof the World that is Coming.

Light Will Always Dispel DarknessBy: Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Hanukkah

1st Candle

December 12

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 2

A Message from the PresidentBy: Della Simon

Packing, Moving and getting settled –

The last 2 weeks of October were an interesting and exhaust-

ing time for many of us as we prepared to move. We sorted

and packed items belonging to CBI and had to decide what

would stay in the pod versus the shed, what would be

donated, and what would come with us. Several key individ-

uals were instrumental in this process including: Lee Avishai,

Norm and Tamar Katzwer, Eva Blinder, Bruce Brown, Ken

Vallario and Dusty Fox. The Katzwers and Samskys made

sure that we had an ark available to use and specially outfitted

it to be appropriate. Tamar and Norm along with a whole

crew packed a U-Haul filled with the items that we would

need to function at CBHT. Thank you also to: Rabbi Gold-

stein, Josh and Bob Pohlman, Bob Deutsch, Danielle Earley,

Robert Marcus, Shelley Fisher, Eva Blinder and Marlene Ja-

coby. I am personally very grateful to all of you.

As of December 1st, our congregation will have spent six

Shabbatot in our temporary home in Unger Hall at CBHT.

Our transition has not been without some hiccups as we

figured out where to store our supplies and how to use Unger

Hall optimally. Learning how to smoothly run a service with-

out our usual bima items and torah holders was a small chal-

lenge that we were able to overcome. The smallness of the

hall has allowed Rabbi Goldstein to explore different seat

configurations. Bruce Brown has been very flexible in man-

aging to organize a delicious lunch with limited tools and

space. Our youth education program has loved the beautiful

classrooms in the religious school. And most important, the

members and staff at CBHT have been incredibly welcoming

and friendly in opening their building and helping us to feel

comfortable in their space. Let’s all make sure to greet and

be grateful to CBHT members and staff when we see them.

Meanwhile the inside of our building on Murdock is actively

being demolished – ceiling tiles are gone, wires, plumbing

PVC and HVAC ducts are visible. Our security committee

has met with SAI architects to make sure that all of our secu-

rity needs are being met. Mark Goldstein and Lauren

Malinoff along with Mike Weizman and the CCOG commit-

tee are continuing to make sure that we stay on time and on

budget working within our shared vision.

As we have settled into Unger Hall and CBHT, we realize

the parking situation is a little more complicated than we

planned. As part of our agreement with CBHT, we promised

that CBHT members would have primary access to the

parking lot.

During Saturday morning services, we can use the main

parking lot except when CBHT has a B’nei Mitzvah, at

which point CBI members should park on the street (prefer-

ably Broad, not Liberty Street); or St. Mark’s Church parking

lot or Plant restaurant parking lot. These Saturdays are

November 18th, December 23rd, April 14th, May 12th, May

26th, June 2nd.

On Friday nights, CBI members should park in the McGill

parking lot (across Broad Street from the CBHT lot) first

then on Broad Street.

It is crucial that we comply with these requests especially

since CBHT is being so hospitable and generous with us.

Thank you for your cooperation with this.

B’shalom,

Della

https://www.facebook.com/bethisraelnc/

A monthly tour through the Siddur:

the meaning, significance, customs, laws,

history and choreography of prayer

Hatzi Kaddish (pg 148 of Lev Shalem) – Kaddish is placed between sections of prayer. Hatzi Kaddish, in particular, divides

between two distinct sections – in this instance between Pesukei D’Zimra and Shaharit. While Hatzi Kaddish literally means

Half Kaddish, it is better understood as Abridged Kaddish. It is missing three additional lines from the Full Kaddish. Before

it became known as Hatzi Kaddish it was known as Kaddish Ad Le’eilah, in reference to the last line recited in the abridged

version. This implies that the text of the Full Kaddish (or more likely the Kaddish D’Rabbanan) was the original liturgical

piece and the Hatzi Kaddish became appropriated to divide between liturgical divisions in the midst of a prayer service.

Next month …. Barkhu

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 3

Ongoing CBI Events

Torah on Tap – A Lively Group Discussion

Led by Rabbi Goldstein

The last Sunday of the month 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. We will be meeting at Habitat Tavern & Commons,

174 Broadway, Asheville 28801. You are welcome to bring a snack or meal as Habitat does not serve

food. Dog-friendly with non-alcoholic options.

Weekly Beginners’ Yiddish Vinkel

Wednesday Mornings at 11:00 am

A weekly Beginners' Yiddish Vinkel led by Robert Marcus meets at CBI on Wednesdays. Yiddish philosophs who

will hopefully share their Yiddish language skills and Yiddishkeit with us are also welcome. In addition to learning a

bissel Yiddish, we will explore Yiddish music, singing, poetry, literature, history and culture.

All are welcome. To help with costs there will be a fee per class of $3 for CBI members and $5 for non-members.

For more information, contact the synagogue office (828) 252-8660.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 4

Ongoing CBI Events

Meet the Midrash

Out of the texts of the Torah, the Rabbis created teachings bringing deeper meanings to the wisdom of the Jewish

people known as Midrash. Each week we will explore some of these teachings based on the weekly Torah portion.

We will gain not only an understanding of what the Rabbis were teaching, but how and why they were able to offer

these teachings. While there are many compilations of Midrash from different periods in Jewish history, we will

focus our studies on Midrash Rabbah. Wednesdays 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

Hazak

Hazak is a group of empty nesters who meet monthly for good food and conversation at local restaurants. The group

usually meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm, barring holiday conflicts. Anyone who is interested can

be added to the email list. Contact Sue Lerner.

Hasidishe Kiddushled by Rabbi Goldstein

Fill your heart and soul with Torah (and schnapps...) and join together to learn Hasidic thought and wisdom on parashat

ha'shavu’a, the weekly Torah portion. Last Shabbat of each month at 12:30 pm.

Living Torah with Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Timeless teachings for walking in the world. Start your day off with inspired learning and meaningful conversations.

Relevant and insightful lessons from the wellspring of Jewish wisdom. All are welcome, no experience necessary.

Thursdays 8:30 am at 75 N. Market Street, Asheville.

For Information about Burial Plots

at Lou Pollock Memorial Park

Contact:

Josh Tager cemetery@bethisraelnc.org

or Fred Lashley

Current rates: $1,000 CBI members;

$1,250 non-members

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Aviya Kushner has worked as a travel columnist for The International Jerusalem Post and she is currently language columnist for The Forward. She teaches at Columbia College in Chicago and is a mentor for the National Yiddish Book Center.

The Grammar of God tells the story of Ms. Kushner’s vibrant relationship to the Bible, and along the way illustrates how the differences in translation affect our understanding of our culture’s most important written work. Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky writes: “Aviya Kushner has written a passionate, illuminating essay about meaning itself. The Grammar of God is also a unique personal narrative, a family story with the Bible and its languages as central characters.”

Our informal discussion group meets every Friday, from 12-1, in Ungar Hall at Congregation Beth Ha Tephila, at 43 North Liberty Street. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise. If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.

Hanukkah Party

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Bring your menorahs and a meal to share together at:

Congregation Beth HaTephila UNGER HALL

43 N. Liberty Street

CBI Committee NewsLiaison Committee

The committee’s purpose is to help resolve interpersonal conflicts within the shul. These disagreements can occur

between congregants, between congregants and the Rabbi, between congregants and the Board, or between the Board

and the Rabbi. The Liaison Committee is here to assist you if you have a concern.

Committee members are carefully chosen for their abilities to be impartial and to provide a discreet and safe sounding

board. They are ready to listen to any concerns that you may have. You can contact any of the members of the

committee. They are:

Caren Kessler – chairperson (693-0897) Rabbi Wolff Alterman (337-6185)

Eva Blinder (275-6447) Laurie Chess (545-7318)

Marc Penansky (279-0940) Davida Horwitz (279-6599)

Our Madrichim Help You Create

Personal and Meaningful Programs at CBI

At its core, the CBI Madrichim initiative is designed to engage each and every member on a personal level; empower

each of us to create the Jewish experiences that are meaningful for us; and, in doing so, enhance our potential for

authentic Jewish expression. Success is when we realize that we benefit as much by supporting another’s personal

journey as we do from the program itself. What is your passion or interest: a class, a club, a social action program, a

fundraiser, a tikkun olam project, a social event? Think about it. Then contact one of the folks below and let us help

you make it happen!

CBI MadrichimBruce Brown Ali Climo Sally Gooze

Caren Kessler Alan Silverman Mike Weizman

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 7

A Note of Thanks from the Winkelman Family

Rabbi Goldstein, Rabbi Wolff, and all of our family at Congregation Beth Israel,

It is difficult to find the words to express our gratitude for the many kindnesses you have shown us during this sad and

difficult time. We are so grateful for all you have done for us. The cards, prayers, and visits meant a great deal to us as

we struggled with our heartbreaking loss. Along with the emotional support you gave us, the meals, and the gift of your

time every evening helped sustain us day to day. Sharing your memories and kind words touched our hearts. Carrie was

an incredible wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend.

We are unable to write individual thank you notes to each one of you, given the great outpouring of support. Please

know that your generosity and thoughtfulness have touched us deeply. Knowing that we were and are not alone help us

continue to bear our grief and sadness.

With our sincerest gratitude,

The family of our beloved Carrie Winkelman

Norman, Bonnie, Ilene & Phil, Bernie & Karen, Shelby & Foster

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 8

Love Nailed to the DoorpostBy: Rick Chess

! Please send me ____ copies of Love Nailed to the Doorpost !Name __________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________

Telephone _______________________________________________________

E-mail __________________________________________________________

Bill to my (circle one) Visa or Mastercard no. __________________________________

Please make checks payable to the “University of Tampa Press” and return this form to: University of Tampa Press, University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33606 • To order by phone: (813) 253-6266

– Love Nailed to the Doorpost order form –______ @ $14 each __________ for Paperback

______ @ $25 each __________ for Hardback

Postage and handling for -rst book: $4.00 Add $1.00 for eachadditional copy: __________

Fla. residents add 7% sales tax: __________

Total Enclosed: __________

Order Love Nailed to the Doorpost online! • tiny.cc/lovenailedpbk

Card Security Code on back of card:________ Expiration date:_______

LoveNailed Doorpost

to the Poems by

Richard Chess

Richard Chess is the author of three previous books of poetry: Tekiah (1996), Chair in the Desert (2000),

and !ird Temple (2006), all published by the University of Tampa Press. His poems have appeared widely

in journals such as Image, Literature and Belief, New England Review, and Smartish Pace, and in anthologies

including Best American Spiritual Writing 2005, Telling and Remembering: A Century of American Jewish Poetry, and !e Bloomsbury Anthology of Contemporary American Jewish Poetry. He is Chair of the English

Department and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina, Asheville.

In Love Nailed to the Doorpost, Richard Chess offers poems and lyrical prose inspired and informed equally by the pleasures and

pressures of everyday life and by sacred and secular texts ranging from Torah to Basho to Robert Creeley. This new work transports us from the biblical past to the present, from creation stories to stories of brotherly struggle to meditations on married and family love.

Love—that’s the thing, whether spontaneously arising or commanded, as it is, the commandment to love inscribed on parchment, rolled up and tucked into a small case, a mezuzah, and nailed to the doorpost of the house. You shall love: the challenges of fulfilling that commandment, and the joy and transformation one experi-ences when one does: that’s what Chess’s powerful new work explores.

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Richard Chess will read from his new book, Love Nailed to the Doorpost, on December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm at Congregation

Beth HaTephila’s Dave Hall. The reading is co-sponsored by Congregation Beth HaTephila and Congegation Beth Israel.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing at the reading. Light refreshments will be served.

Rick Chess and his wife, Laurie, are long-time members of CBI where Rick has presented at multiple adult education classes.

He is an award winning professor at the University of North Carolina Asheville, serving a leading role in the contemplative

pedagogy and practice initiative since 2011. He is chair of the UNCA Department of English, Roy Carroll Professor of

Honors Arts & Science, and is in his 26th year as director of the Center for Jewish Studies at UNCA. He authored 3 previous

books: Tekiah (1996), Chair in the Desert (2000) and Third Temple (2006). His poems have been published in numerous

journals, including The Bloomsbury Anthology of Contemporary American Jewish Poetry.

For more information, contact the synagogue office – (828) 252-8660 admin@bethisraelnc.org.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 9

Have You Tried Out Our

Web Check Payment System?CBI’s Web Check Payment system is being used by quite a few congregants. Try it out, if you haven’t already. It’s an

easy-to-use, NO FEE way to make any of your payments to CBI – Dues, Bet Sefer, Ingles Gift Cards, or Donations. This

is a direct debit from your checking account. You just need your routing number and account number. There is also a

place for a memo entry so that you can indicate the purpose of your donation (in memory of, a particular fund, etc.).

Please make sure to fill in the memo box so that we can allocate your payment correctly.

We have contracted with a third party web check provider for this service. They have all of the necessary security issues

in place to handle sensitive account information data. Beth Israel Web Check Payments Online

Click on the donate button at the left to pay your dues,

make a contribution, pay your Annual Appeal Pledge or

pay for your Ingles cards. This simple Web Check system

is a direct debit to your checking account and allows you

to send a message to the CBI office along with your pay-

ment. No need to write checks or make special trips to the

office.

Ingles cards are a no-cost fundraiser for Beth Israel. Each month

CBI members and friends buy $14,000 worth of Ingles gift cards

to help raise $700 for Beth Israel – over $8,000 annually. Ingles

gift cards can be used at any Ingles store for groceries, pharmacy

items and gasoline. Sign up now to receive your Ingles cards auto-

matically each month. The office also keeps an inventory of Ingles

cards for immediate purchase. Contact the CBI office to get more

information and/or to participate at 252-8660 or admin@bethis-

raelnc.org.

WelcomeTo our new members,

Ben Kohan & Hannah Limov

Your Amazon Purchases Can Help Support Beth Israel

Your Amazon purchases can help support Beth Israel. Amazon Smile donates 1% of your purchases to CBI. No cost

to you. Just visit https://smile.amazon.com and select Congregation Beth Israel, then shop as you regularly would. If

you are a regular Amazon shopper, you can bookmark this website so as to find it easily every time you shop.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 10

Carolina Jews for Justice Update

By: Frank Goldsmith

CJJ/West has two significant events coming up in December

– please try to attend both.

The first event will take place on Monday, December 4, at

6:30 pm, at the Altamont Theatre, 13 Church Street, in

downtown Asheville. Together with Hood Huggers

International and the WNC Chapter of the ACLU of North

Carolina, CJJ/West will be co-sponsoring the screening of

13th, a documentary by filmmaker Ava DuVernay. The title

refers to the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,

abolishing slavery. The film explores the history of racial

inequality in the US, focusing on the disproportional number

of our nation’s prisons that are filled with African-Americans.

Catering will be provided by Comedy Catering, and Black

Star Line Brewing from Hendersonville, a new African-

American owned brewery, will be featuring its brews. The

suggested minimum donation is $5; all funds will go to Hood

Huggers.

The showing of the film anticipates the visit to UNC-A in

January by Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow.

CJJ is putting together a distinguished and knowledgeable

panel for a discussion following the film. Because space is

limited, it is important to RSVP right away, by e-mail to

cjjwest@carolinajewsforjustice.org.

Then on Sunday, December 10, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm,

CJJ/West will host an Open House to socialize and organize.

The event will take place at Congregation Beth HaTephila,

43 North Liberty St, Asheville. Please come to meet your

fellow Jewish social justice advocates and learn more about

the issues we are working on, including economic inequality,

racial justice, voter engagement and immigration. Most

importantly, find out how you can be involved. Refreshments

will be served. There is no charge to attend.

CJJ/West marched proudly with its banner in the

Gerrymander 5K held on November 4 in West Asheville.

Hundreds of people walked or ran the dividing line between

the 10th and 11th Congressional Districts to protest the

absurdity of district lines drawn to maximize partisan

advantage in a way that divides communities of interest.

As always, we encourage you to tell your friends about

Carolina Jews for Justice. Ask them to go to our website and

sign up for the newsletters at www.carolinajewsforjustice.org.

If in the WNC area, have them contact:

Judy Leavitt at judleavitt76@gmail.com or

Frank Goldsmith at goldsmith.cf@gmail.com.

Finally, please keep Carolina Jews for Justice in mind when

you plan your year-end giving. You may make a donation by

going to our website, carolinajewsforjustice.org, and clicking

on the Donate tab.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 11

Our Gift Shop

During our year away from our home on Murdock Avenue the Gift Shop will

have to be shuttered as well. However, if you remember unique items from our

shop, especially works of a local artists, for instance the mezzuzot by Walter Zif-

fer, please get in touch with Carol Samsky at (828) 676-0765. Most of our stock

is stored at her home and she is happy to help you.

We also hope to have new and ample Chanukkah merchandise at our annual

party on December 12th in Unger Hall at CBHT.

Come this time next year, we look forward to a Grand Reopening of the Gift

Shop. Meanwhile Carol Samsky (828) 676-0765 or Beth HaTephila’s Gift Shop

(828) 633-6666 are both available to you.

It has started! After 2 years of planning and 1.5 years of

fundraising, our nearly 50 year old building is currently in

the process of being remodeled. On behalf of the Capital

Campaign Oversight Group (CCOG), I want to first thank the

CBI Board of Directors for a thoughtful and spirited discus-

sion surrounding the passage of the final project budget. I

also want to thank Tamar and Norm Katzwer, Bruce Brown,

Lee Avishai, and Della Simon for leading a group of volun-

teers in getting us packed up and moved over to our tempo-

rary space at CBHT. This was a Herculean task bringing

many folks together who pitched in to help us pull this off

just in time. Thank you.

The early stages of the on-site construction include exposing

much of the HVAC/wiring of the building, demolition of the

old bathrooms and preparing the sanctuary and social hall for

remodeling. Congregants will be able to view photos and real

time updates in a dedicated section of our CBI website –

which is currently under development.

Regarding fundraising, as I mentioned during my Kol Nidre

appeal, our community has done very well, though we do

have just a bit more to go. We have secured just over

$1,200,000 in pledges and gifts with approximately 55% cash

in hand so far (the rest being pledges over the coming 2-5

years). Our current goal is to raise an additional $100,000 by

December 31st to help guarantee funding for the kitchen

remodel and a few other items that are currently on hold

based on where we are right now financially.

There are a few ways in which congregants and friends of

CBI can help right now:

• If you find yourselves in a position to make payments

earlier on your multi-year pledges that would be great.

This would result in less mortgage interest for CBI to pay

over time.

• If you are in a position to increase your pledge (including

adding an additional year to your giving), NOW would

be the time to let me know so that we can make critical

(time-sensitive) decisions in the coming weeks before

year end. As always, you can reach me at

msweizman@gmail.com or (828) 778-8330 with updates

on your giving.

• If you have family members or friends who might be

interested in supporting our project, payments received

before December 31 are a worthy end of year tax

deductible gift. Now would be a great time to reach out

to them on CBI’s behalf.

As always, thanks for your support. The CCOG will continue

to keep the CBI membership up to date as events unfold.

Capital Campaign UpdateBy: Michael Weizman, Campaign Co-Chair

Boray Perie HagafenBy: Ira Naiman

One day, Value Man couldn’t figure out what to add to his

extensive wine cellar (extensive wine cellar sounds a lot

better than a 20 year old small wine refrigerator in his

garage). What did he feel like adding? A blast from the past

suddenly came to mind: Sometimes you feel like a nut,

sometimes you don’t. Peter Paul’s Almond Joys got nuts,

Mounds don’t.

That’s it, a sign from above! Almond Joy is a mixture, a

blend. Value man will rush to Ingles waving his CBI Ingles

gift card (contact Lee in CBI’s office and you can get one to

wave also) and hunt out red blends! You’d be surprised how

fast people get out of the way of a silver-haired Jewish guy

running through the street waving an Ingles gift card.

While stalking the red blend aisle, I saw several labels

winking at me.

For those with a celestial bent, 7 Moons Red Blend is a

winner. The winery is in Oakville, California and sources its

grapes from various vineyards. Ready for this? It’s a blend

of Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Malbec and Grenache. It has cherries, chocolate,

spices and vanilla. It has a nice mouth feel and has some

length. On sale, it is well worth a try.

Next up is Blackstone Delectable Red Blend. This winery is

in Acampo, California. This red blend contains Syrah, Merlot,

Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah. It spends 12 months in

American and French oak barrels. Flavors include raspberry,

cherries, vanilla and marshmallow. A very nice and pleasant

to drink blend.

A full-bore, here I am, red blend is Carnivor Zinfandel. The

winery is in Modesto, California. It’s predominantly

Zinfandel, but there is some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

added. Blackberry, plum, chocolate, pepper , vanilla and oak

make up its profile. It also has a long finish. When on sale,

it’s an absolute bargain. The Carnivor winery also makes

other single grape wines that are very good.

Although mentioned in a previous column, it’s mandatory to

remind everyone about Primal Roots Red Blend. On sale in

Ingles, it’s barely over $7, which is a steal. When Value Man

buys this, he looks around to make sure there are no police

around. The winery is in Acampo, California. Primal Roots

Red Blend has Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. Very nice flavors

of raspberry, mocha, cherries, chocolate, vanilla and spice.

The above beg the question, why make a blend? The answer,

is to create an interesting flavor profile. Each grape has

certain characteristic flavors, mouth feel/viscosity, acidity

and tannins. The wine maker harnesses these variables to

create a flavor profile that will entice people to purchase their

wine.

For those who like white blends, look for Primal Roots White

Blend, as well as Menage A Trois White Blend. White blends

tend to mix Chardonnay, Muscato and Chenin Blanc. They

have a very happy, fruity profile.

Until next time.

January Ha’Shofar Deadline –

December 10thI welcome your newsletter contributions, but

please, please respect the deadline of the

10th of the month.

~ Bruce

PAGE 12

Support Your Shul and Its Congregants!

Active Donor Directed FundsFor those members of

CBI who would like to

direct their financial

support toward a spe-

cific area within CBI,

these are the active

donor directed funds.

You are encouraged to

support the General

Fund with your dona-

tions, allowing the Board of Directors the

discretion to direct this support toward

areas of the most need.

** These funds are very active and in the

most need of regular contributions.

� ** Spiritual Life Fund – Support of

spiritual life programs and needs

� **Social Action Fund – Funds CBI’s

social action projects

� ** Chesed/Tzedakah Fund –

Supports the Bereavement Committee

and other Chesed related activities

� ** Ted Liebowitz Children’s Fund –

Provides scholarships for Bet Sefer

students and supports Bet Sefer

expenses

� ** Toby Cohen Minyan Katan and

Junior Congregation Fund

� ** Family Education Fund –

Supports family education program-

ming

� Shorashim Teen Program Fund –

Supports CBI teen programs

� **Adult Ed Fund

� Website/Computer/Tech Fund

� Cemetery Committee Fund –

Supports maintenance of CBI’s

Lou Pollock Cemetery

� Chevra Kadisha Fund – Supports

efforts toward preparing the body of

the departed for Jewish burial.

� **Rabbi Discretionary Fund –

Supports needs or causes the Rabbi

chooses to support

General Fund

Michelle McCalla & Bart Brass

Karin Fraade

Bob & Carol Deutsch

Eva Blinder: in memory of her

father, Joseph Blinder

Sheldon & Rochelle Neuringer: in

memory of Dr. Marvin Jaffee

Iva M. Edward: in honor of the

Feast of Tabernacles

Patrick Smith & Kathleen Griffin:

in memory of Dr. Marvin Jaffee

Lee Berkwits & Barb Hall: in

memory of Carrie Winkelman

Bill & Jo Golson: in memory of

their friend and colleague, Ken

Fisher

Lee Berkwits & Barb Hall: in

memory of Dr. Marvin Jaffee

Caren Kessler: in memory of Carrie

Winkelman

Jordan & Barbara Miller: in

memory of Carrie Winkelman

Avishai family: in honor of Eliot &

Nancy Renick’s birthdays

Lee Avishai: in memory of Carrie

Winkelman

Jan Kahn

Gerard & Thelma Uhler: in

memory of a wonderful friend,

Carrie Winkelman

Lee Avishai: in memory of Dr.

Marvin Jaffee

Gerard & Thelma Uhler: in honor

of their son Moris Uhler’s

birthday

Carol Cohen: in memory of

Deborah Miles’ father, John Miles

Gerard & Thelma Uhler: in honor

of their grandson Dr. Stephen

Smith’s birthday

Yahrzeit Fund

Jordan & Barbara Miller: in

memory of Jordan’s father,

Hyman Miller

Norma Schulman: in memory of

her father, Jack Yospin

Jordan & Barbara Miller: in

memory of Barbara’s mother,

Ruth Goodman

Eliot & Nancy Renick: in memory

of Eliot’s father, Nathan Renick

Give-a-Gobble Thanksgiving

Turkey Fund

Carol Cohen

Jay & Marlene Jacoby

Robert & Kathie Kline

Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Caren Kessler

Rick & Laurie Chess

Alan & Suzanne Escovitz

Adrian & Shirley Sandler

Wendy Feinberg

Lee Avishai

Capital Campaign Fund

Perry & Haviva Dror: in memory

of Ernest & Florence Gaynes

Perry & Haviva Dror: in memory

of Aziz Sasson

Ted Liebowitz Children’s

Education Fund

Gerard & Thelma Uhler

Gerard & Thelma Uhler

October to November

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Gail Shulimson: in honor of Rabbi

Goldstein in appreciation of

beautiful and meaningful High

Holiday services

Nadav Lapidot & Alexandra Ross

Chesed Fund

Eva Blinder: in memory of Carrie

Winkelman

Adult Education Fund

Jay & Marlene Jacoby: in honor of

Norman & Tamar Katzwer

Gerard & Thelma Uhler

Jay & Marlene Jacoby: in memory

of Carrie Winkelman

Ira & Sheila Naiman: in honor of

Jay Jacoby

Jay & Marlene Jacoby: wishing a

speedy recovery to Margot

Coleman

Cemetery Fund

Charles & Jo Ann Myers: in

memory of Sam Baer

Charles & Jo Ann Myers: in

memory of Ruth Baer Cooley

October to November(continued)

Have You Tried Our Dip Jar?As you know, most of our programs are FREE and open to all. The Dip Jar resides on the piano in

the Social Hall alongside a donation jug. It is an easy way to make a $5 contribution to Beth Israel

by inserting your credit or debit card. Or feel free to leave a check or cash in the donation jug.

If you have enjoyed a program at CBI, please make a donation the next time you are in the building

(except on Shabbat).

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 14

Our SympathyTo Deborah Miles on the passing of her father, Pastor John Miles.

To Norm Winkelman on the passing of his wife, Carrie Winkelman.

To Claire Mager-Jaffe on the passing of her husband, Dr. Marvin Jaffee.

Social Action Volunteer Opportunities

Help serving dinner at the Western Carolina Rescue Mission on the third Tuesday of the month from 4:00 pm to

5:30 pm. The Rescue Mission is located at 225 Patton Avenue, Asheville. Contact Alan Escovitz aescovitz@charter.net

or Marlene Jacoby socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org.

Help with our involvement with Room In the Inn. Contact Jan Zollars warreallysucks@yahoo.com or Marlene Ja-

coby socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org.

Mazel Tov !December Birthdays02 Richard Caro

05 Eva Blinder

Jimi Moore

06 Indiana Aaron West

08 Loretta Holmes

09 Rhonda Diamond

Sara Heckelman

10 Phineas Tager

12 Bruce Brown

13 Alan Silverman

Curtis Waters

18 Barbara Hall

Miranda Mouillot

19 Estelle Mouillot

20 Alex Reich

Irvin Saron

21 Jay Jacoby

Dani Waters

23 Sandi Freedberg

Natasha Wood

Jenna Levine

25 Judy Hoffman

26 Neil Garroway

28 Gail Gordon

30 Gerry Hausman

02 Irvin & Vivien Saron, Gerry & Mary Hausman

09 Walter Ziffer & Gail Rosenthal, Lee Berkwits & Barb Hall, Paul & Barbara Michalove

16 Mark & Robin Goldstein, Roberta Wall

23 Ileana Grams-Moog, Lauren Malinoff, Leonard Koenick

30 Sally Gooze, Richard Nielsen, Rebecca Gholson

December Kiddush Hosts

December Anniversaries13 Ron & Deborah Neimkin

Jonathan & Sandi Freedberg

16 Norman & Tamar Katzwer

20 Mark & Robin Goldstein

Rick & Ellen Sanders

23 David & Sharon Boas

29 Jeremy & Carol Samsky

30 Stephen & Barbara Lehrer

Tony & Danise Hauser

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 15

To Rabbi Goldstein, Della Simon, Jay Jacoby, Frank Goldsmith, Mike Weizman and Ira Naiman

for their articles to Ha’Shofar this month.

To Tamar & Norman Katzwer, Della Simon & Mike Weizman, Bruce Brown, Brad Fisher, Josh

Tager, Elie Aharon, Jeremy Samsky, Eva Blinder, Ken Vallario, Dusty Fox. Rabbi Goldstein,

the Pohlman family, Bob Deutsch, Danielle Earley, Robert Marcus, Shelley Fisher, Carol

Samsky, Marlene Jacoby and all of the other wonderful volunteers.

To Michelle McCalla & Bart Brass for the donation of a car to the CARS program, with the proceeds benefiting CBI.

Many Thanks!

Refuah ShleimahTo Natasha Wood

1

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

4:59 pm Candles

2

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

5:48 pm Havdalah

31:00 pm Jewish

Meditation

3:00 pm Rick

Chess Book

Reading

4

6:30 pm Teens’

class

5 6

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

7

8:30 am Liv-

ing Torah at 75

N. Market

Street

8

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

6:00 pm Friday

Night Family

Shabbat Service and

Potluck4:59 pm Candles

9

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

Krupp-Martindale

Welcome Shabbat

5:48 pm Havdalah

10

HaShofar

Deadline

11 12

5:30 pm CBI

Hanukkah

Party

13

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

14

8:30 am Living

Torah at 75 N.

Market Street

7:00 pm Board

Meeting

1512:00 pm

Noon Study Group

5:04 pm Candles

16

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

10:30 am Youth

Shabbat

5:53 pm Havdalah

17

9:30 am Youth

Education

18 19 20

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

21

8:30 am Living

Torah at 75 N.

Market Street

22

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

6:00 pm Friday

Night Services

5:03 pm Candles

23

9:30 am

Shabbat morning

services

5:52 pm

Havdalah

24

314:00 pm Torah

on Tap

25 26 27

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

28

8:30 am Living

Torah at 75 N.

Market Street

29

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

5:08 pm Candles

30

9:30 am

Shabbat morning

services and Has-

dishe Kiddush

5:57 pm

Havdalah

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 16

December 2017SUN FRI SATTHUWEDTUEMON

1st Hanukkah Candle 2nd Hanukkah Candle 3rd Hanukkah Candle 4th Hanukkah Candle 5th Hanukkah Candle

6th Hanukkah Candle 7th Hanukkah Candle 8th Hanukkah Candle

HA’SHOFAR

December Yahrzeits

PAGE 17

Announced during services on:

December 2

02 (14 Kislev) Lauren Malinoff for her grandfather, Herbert Lipman

02 (14 Kislev) Gail Shulimson for her uncle, Morris Shulimson

03 (15 Kislev) Jodi Travis for her uncle, Norman Bander

04 (16 Kislev) Miriam Zaretsky for her husband, Phil Zaretsky

05 (17 Kislev) Marc Penansky for her mother, Ruth Penansky

05 (17 Kislev) Goldie Weizman for her mother, Anna Zucker

06 (18 Kislev) Bernard Coleman for his sister, Yvonne Coleman

08 (20 Kislev) Barbara Lewin for her mother, Ruth Kaufman Blick

December 8 & 9

10 (22 Kislev) Sara Y. Heckelman for her grandfather, Jack Heckelman

11 (23 Kislev) Paul Michalove for his father, Jack I. Michalove

12 (24 Kislev) Barbara Hall for her father, James Hall

12 (24 Kislev) Jodi Travis for her grandfather, Phil Bande

14 (26 Kislev) Barbara Lewin for her father, Milton Blick

14 (26 Kislev) Abe Freedman for his father, Louis Morey Freedman

December 16

17 (29 Kislev) Thelma Uhler for her grandmother, Ida Sherman

18 (30 Kislev) Claire Mager-Jaffee for her mother, Adele Mager

19 (01 Tevet) Bob Pohlman for his mother, Alice Pohlman

22 (04 Tevet) Alison & Frank Gilreath for their daughter-in-law,

Ashley Gilreath

22 (04 Tevet) Caren Kessler for her father, Abraham Kessler

22 (04 Tevet) Alison B. Gilreath for her mother, Ethel Gross

December 22 & 23

25 (07 Tevet) Barbara Michalove for her mother, Ruth Silver Lewis

26 (08 Tevet) Michele Heller for her mother, Adele Ross

28 (10 Tevet) Julie Sherman for her aunt, Susan Goldenberg

28 (10 Tevet) Davida Horwitz for her grandmother, Martha Jacobson

28 (10 Tevet) Fred Lashley for her mother, Sally R. Lashley

December 30

30 (12 Tevet) Barbara Crume for her mother, Kaylene Karesh Schoenberg

31 (13 Tevet) Thelma Uhler for her father, Barney Sherman

May their memories be for a blessing.

Beth Israel Synagogue

Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Congregation Beth Israel

229 Murdock Avenue

Asheville, NC  28804

Office Phone (828) 252-8660

Rabbi’s Phone (828) 252-9024

Fax (828) 252-8431

email: admin@bethisraelnc.org

Synagogue Office Hours:

Monday to Friday

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

For updated information visit our website at

www.bethisraelnc.org

December

Candle-lighting & Havdalah

Friday 12/1/2017 4:59 pm

Saturday 12/2/2017 5:48 pm

Friday 12/8/2017 4:59 pm

Saturday 12/9/2017 5:48 pm

Friday 12/15/2017 5:00 pm

Saturday 12/16/2017 5:49 pm

Friday 12/22/2017 5:03 pm

Saturday 12/23/2017 5:52 pm

Friday 12/29/2017 5:08 pm

Saturday 12/30/2017 5:57 pm

RabbiRabbi Justin Goldstein rabbi@bethisraelnc.org

Office AdministratorLee Avishai admin@bethisraelnc.org

Executive CommitteeDella Simon, President president@bethisraelnc.org

Ali Climo, Vice President vicepresident@bethisraelnc.org

Norman Katzwer, Secretary boardsecretary@bethisraelnc.org

Bruce Brown, Treasurer

and Ha’Shofar Editor vpfinance@bethisraelnc.org

Legal CounselBob Deutsch bob@dglawpa.com

Board Committee Chairs/Members

Alan Silverman, Membership membership@bethisraelnc.org

Eva Blinder, Spiritual/Ritual ritual@bethisraelnc.org

Marlene Jacoby, Social Action socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org

Robert Kline, Adult Education adulted2@bethisraelnc.org

Members-at-Large:

Julie Sherman mal1@bethisraelnc.org

Tamar Katzwer mal2@bethisraelnc.org

Gerry Hausman mal3@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz mal4@bethisraelnc.org

Non-Board Committee ChairsMeryl Goldstein, Chevra Kadisha chevrakadisha1@bethisraelnc.org

Jay Jacoby, Chevra Kadisha chevrakadisha2@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz, Habitat & Mission socialaction4@bethisraelnc.org

Mike Weizman, Capital Campaign msweizman@gmail.com

Lauren Malinoff, Yahrzeit yahrtzeit@bethisraelnc.org

Caren Kessler, Liaison liaison@bethisraelnc.org

Caren Kessler, Chesed chesed@bethisraelnc.org

Jeremy Samsky, House/Grounds houseandgrounds1@bethisraelnc.org

Steve Kayne, House/Grounds houseandgrounds2@bethisraelnc.org

Josh Tager, Cemetery cemetery@bethisraelnc.org

Security:

Frank Goldsmith security1@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz security2@bethisraelnc.org

Marc Rudow security3@bethisraelnc.org

Chesed: CBI’s Support NetworkChesed is a caring team of CBI members who are here to help out the CBI

community during both challenging as well as joyous times. Some of the activities

we have been involved with are:

• Visiting those who are sick

• Checking in with those who are homebound

• Assembling a minyan for shiva

• Preparing meals

• Providing transportation

• Running errands

• Helping people connect with area services

• Assisting with set up for a bar/bat mitzvah party

We need YOUR help to continue our work effectively. We can’t offer to do

anything unless we know who needs and wants some support. If we can help you

with something or if you are aware of someone who needs assistance, please tell

Lee or the Rabbi. They will pass along that information to the Chesed committee.

Many people at CBI are happy to help out.

We need YOUR help to respond to the requests. If you can volunteer to provide

any of the kinds of help Chesed offers, please tell Lee or the Rabbi. You can also

contact the Chesed committee directly at chesed@bethisraelnc.org. Your involve-

ment is not usually something that takes a lot of time; yet it will create tremendous

satisfaction in knowing you have helped someone.

Jewish communities have a rich history of taking care of each other. The Babylon-

ian Talmud teaches us that All Jews are responsible one for another (Shevuot 39a).

The Chesed Committee invites you to be a part of that meaningful tradition.