Connection April 2019 Adar 11/Nisan 5779

May 17: Shabbat Ruach Services and Volunteer Appreciation & Awards Dinner

May 18: Shabbat Services, Volunteer Recognition and Kiddush Luncheon

To become a sponsor to honor our awardees and volunteers, contact

Marjorie Perlman or Bob Greenberg.

Volunteer Appreciation & Awards Weekend: May 17-18 Join us for a weekend of celebration and our annual fundraiser honoring the award

winners listed below, as well as all of our dedicated volunteers.

Young Leadership Award: Jacob Halpern For his years of commitment to the people and programs of our synagogue, serving as a leader of our Board of Directors, our Men’s Club and as an advocate of the mission of

Temple Beth-El.

Jewish Inspiration Award: Minyanaires

Represented by Melvin Zivitz, Jeff Padawer, Matt Levey, David Reznik For their commitment to the continuation of Jewish ritual practice, providing daily support during Minyan for those remembering loved ones and seeking solace in prayer.

Yasher Koach and Thank You to our 2018-19 Volunteer Awards Honorees

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers. You continue to

sustain our synagogue. From religious services to social action, Board leadership to office support, volunteers are our lifeblood!

To find out more about this special weekend visit www.templebeth-el.net.

April 5 Erev Shabbat 5:45 pm Candle lighting 6:52 pm April 6 Shabbat Tazria Morning service 9:30 am Maftir: Barry Dreayer New Member Shabbat Yoga Nidra with Nan Mincha 6:30 pm April 12 Erev Shabbat 5:45 pm Candle lighting 6:58 pm April 13 Shabbat Metzora Second Bar Mitzvah of Ed Fineberg Morning service 9:30 am Maftir: Ed Fineberg Mincha 6:30 pm

April 19 Erev Pesach & Erev Shabbat 5:45 pm First Seder Candle lighting 7:03 pm April 20 Pesach Day 1 Morning service 9:30 am Maftir: Naomi Ivker Mincha 6:30 pm (No evening study with Rabbi) Candle lighting 8:12 pm April 21 Pesach Day 2 Morning services 9:30 am Maftir: Josh Ivker

April 26 Pesach Day 7 Morning services 9:30 am Maftir: Sarah Metzger Erev Shabbat 5:45 pm Candle lighting 7:08 pm April 27 Pesach Day 8 Morning service 9:30 am Maftir: Chevra Kadisha Yizkor service Mincha 6:30 pm

APRIL RELIGIOUS SERVICE SCHEDULE (ALSO SEE PASSOVER 5779 TIMELINE PG. 3)

PAGE 2 APRIL 2019

2018-19 Board of Directors

Dalia Abrams Marsha Asman Fred Benjamin Barbara Brande Julie Cohen Todd Doobrow

Barry Dreayer Shira Goldberg Jessica Goldstein Steve Greene Alex Grodner Allen Halpern

Jacob Halpern Katie Hausman Dani Kahn-Krell Lynette Mazer Leonid Mazur Arlene Redisch

Loraine Reznik Ben Rosenbaum Rebecca Rothman Abe Schuster Esther Schuster Martin Sher

Steven Sikora Alan Weintraub Seth Wolnek

PROFESSIONAL STAFF Rabbi Stephen Slater rabbistephen@templebeth-el.net Executive Director Bob Greenberg bgreenberg@templebeth-el.net Music & Youth Director Sarah Metzger smetzger@templebeth-el.net Communications Lindsey Herring lherring@templebeth-el.net Bookkeeper Pam Waggoner pwaggoner@templebeth-el.net Office & Operations Haley Vines hvines@templebeth-el.net

BOARD OFFICERS

President Dan Weinrib dan.weinrib@gmail.com

Vice President Ronald Levitt rlevitt@sirote.com

Vice President Cathy Fingerman C fingerman@gmail.com

Vice President Naomi Ivker nivker@zsattorneys.com Treasurer Steve Altmann saltmann@najjar.com

Secretary Naomi Kipp naomi_kipp@alnd.uscourts.gov

Weekday Service Schedule Daily Morning Minyan 7:00 am Sundays & Secular Holidays 8:00 am Daily Afternoon Minyan 5:30 pm

Shabbat Service Schedule Friday Kabbalat Services 5:45 pm Saturday Morning Services 9:30 am Saturday Evening Service 6:30 pm

PAGE 3 APRIL 2019

Passover is about freedom from slavery. The Haggadah states, “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, but God brought us out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” The freedom of Passover is not the freedom of anything goes, the freedom from work or school—it is, rather, the freedom to serve God together as the Jewish people. There are many practices that create this special service to God.

There are three central elements to the observance of Passover:

Getting rid of and not eating any chametz (leaven) during the 8 days of Passover Eating Matza Having a Seder

There are many, many details associated with the observance of Passover. My goal with this guide is to provide a basic reference for what to do and when, and a suggestion for sources of additional information.

5779 Timeline Times are local for Birmingham, Alabama only!

• Deadline for submitting a sale of chametz form: 5 PM Thursday, April 18

• Bedikat Chametz: Thursday night, April 18

• Fast of the Firstborn: Friday, April 19, beginning at Dawn, 5:47 AM. Rabbi Slater will hold a special Torah study, known as a Siyyum after minyan and burning chametz that morning at 8:45 AM; attendance exempts the firstborn participant who would otherwise need to fast this day.

• Last time to Eat chametz is 4 hours after sunrise, 10:12 AM, Friday, April 19.

• Last time to Burn chametz is 5 hrs after sunrise: 11:12 AM, Friday, April 19.

• Seder Night: Friday, April 19: It is required to wait until sunset, which is 7:21 PM to begin the Seder, as the rabbis teach that eating matza and maror should be after dark.

• Second Seder: Saturday, April 20: Light Candles at 8:00 PM. Note that since the second Seder is on Saturday night, you cannot start cooking until after Shabbat goes out at 8 PM. So you will want to have everything cooked ahead of time, so you simply reheat the food the night of the second Seder.

Chametz Chametz is leaven from one of the five species listed in the Torah: wheat, oats, barley, spelt or rye. We are forbidden to have chametz in our homes or in our possession during Passover. If one of these five grains is in contact with water for more than 18 minutes, it becomes chametz. Matza is not chametz because it finished baking within 18 minutes after it is mixed with water; hence it does not have the time to rise. The rabbis say that the puffed up chametz symbolizes our “puffed up” egos. Therefore as we clean our homes, in addition to ridding ourselves of the physical chametz, let’s think about how we may need to rid ourselves of our pride, i.e. our inflated sense of self-importance, and how we need to do Teshuva.

The rules about chametz are very serious: you are not allowed to eat or own any chametz during the eight days of Passover.

The first step in getting rid of your chametz is to do a deep spring cleaning of the entire house. You don’t need to go overboard – neither the children nor the walls are chametz. Remember to clean out every place where you might occasionally eat food, such as your car, office or bedroom, and clean out bags and purses that carry food.

You should use separate dishes that are only used for Passover that have never been used with chametz. Any fully metal silverware, pots or pans you want to use during Passover should be kashered by immersion in boiling water. In order to do this, please see the Passover Preparation Guide. Countertops can usually be cleaned through a thorough cleaning and pouring boiling water over them, a practice known as Irui. Ovens should be koshered by cleaning them out, and turning them up to full heat for 1 hour, or using the self-cleaning setting. Cupboards that contain non Passover dishes should be taped shut to remind you not to use them.

Passover

Temple Beth-El’s Passover Guide

5779/2019

PAGE 4 APRIL 2019

Selling our Chametz (Mechirat Chametz). Any chametz you need to keep beyond Pesach due to significant financial loss, (such as whiskey, or very large quantities), should be put in a box or bag and placed in a designated, separate location, such as a closet, or storage shed. If you fill out the form on pg. 6, Rabbi will sell this chametz for you: it will technically be owned by a non-Jew during Passover. Please note that any alcohol made from one of the five species is chametz, and needs to be set aside and sold during Passover. No beer or whiskey during Pesach!

Searching for Chametz (Bedikat Chametz). Once your house is ready, you can conclude it with the final search for chametz. On the night before the Seder, April 18, we take a feather and a candle, and search the house for any leftover chametz. It is customary to put out 10 wrapped pieces of bread to collect and burn in the morning. If you look in any Haggadah, you will find the Beracha. Burning our Bread (Biur Chametz) At 8 AM, the morning of Erev Pesach, April 19, we burn our chametz. Please join us at Temple Beth-El front parking lot, for a fun morning to burn our last chametz. Bring the kids. It’s fun!

Matza Eating Matza on Passover is a separate, specific commandment. To make sure we have an appetite for matza at the seder, it is forbidden to eat matza during the day on Erev Pesach, during the day before the seder. At the seder we eat matza, and as called for in the Haggadah we recite a special bracha regarding the commandment to eat matza. It is preferable, but not mandatory, to use Shmira Matza, matza which has been guarded every step of the way, for fulfilling this mitzvah at the seder. Shmira Matza is usually available at any store selling Passover foods. Warning: the handmade Shmira Matza is definitely “the bread of affliction!” You should not use egg matza to fulfill the mitzvah of eating matza at the Seder.

Seder The Seder is, of course, the heart of the Passover experience. We are commanded to tell the story in such a way that we will feel that we ourselves were brought out of Egypt by God. If everyone falls asleep or can’t wait to get to the food, you have not properly fulfilled the mitzvah.

The key to having a seder where people will feel as if they lived through the experience is to be creative. The person leading the seder should definitely do some planning as to how he/she wants the seder to go. It is worthwhile to look at a variety of Haggadot with commentaries to find interesting ideas to bring into your seder.

Some things you can do to help enliven your seder:

• Act out the plagues—use props, like ping pong balls for hail. Have first borns sitting at the table do a dying act.

• Dress like you are about to go on trip. Have a suitcase sitting near the table.

• Tell the story in the first person.

• Encourage discussion. While it is good for everyone to have the same Haggadah for following along, it is also good for people to have different Haggadot so that they can share different commentaries during the Seder.

The Basic Seder. It is not mandatory to read every single word in the Haggadah. It’s not even necessarily recommended. The basic seder requirements are listed below. There is always tension between the tradition which says, “the one who expands on the Passover story is praiseworthy” and the tradition which focuses on the fifth question: “When do we eat?” If you recite the following selections from your Haggadah and skip the rest, you will meet the minimum requirement and you will be eating about an hour after you start.

Note Well Fast of the First-Born. In memory of the plague of the firstborn that brought our people freedom, it is traditional for first-borns to fast during the day before the Seder, April 19, from dawn till the Seder meal. In lieu of fasting, you are welcome to join us for a brief Torah study on the practices of Passover at 8:45 AM, April 19.

The first days and the last days are all Passover holidays on which nearly all work that is forbidden on Shabbat is forbidden. In the Diaspora, our tradition is to hold Seders in our homes on both the first and second nights. This special time allows us to connect both with family and with community respectively on different nights. The final two days of Passover should be observed fully, much like on Shabbat. However on Yom Tov, it is permitted to a) transfer flame from an existing flame, b) cook food, and c) carry objects in the public domain. Use these days to go on a spiritual “retreat” at home with your close friends or family.

Passover

PAGE 5 APRIL 2019

Kitniyot. Ashkenazi Jews have the custom of not eating kitniyot (legumes) during Passover. Rabbi Slater agrees with a responsa (Jewish legal opinion) that permits Ashkenazim to eat kitniyot during Passover. However if you have inherited a tradition of not eating Kitniot, Rabbi Slater strongly recommends maintaining it.

You can see the Rabbinic Teshuva at https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/assets/public/halakhah/teshuvot/2011-2020/Levin-Reisner-Kitniyot.pdf

Resources • Please use Rabbi Ethan Tucker’s Passover Preparation Guide, available online at the TBE website, to help you answer your

more in depth questions regarding Passover observances and requirements. If there is a question that you cannot answer using the guide, please email Rabbi Stephen at rabbistephen@templebeth-el.net with a clearly worded question and all relevant circumstances.

• Please find a collection of Passover Resources from the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Rabbis on their website.

• The Valley Beth Shalom Passover Haggadah is a beautiful Haggadah prepared by Valley Beth Shalom synagogue in Encino, CA. It can be found online.

• For children and those young at heart, Rabbi Stephen recommends A Night to Remember Haggadah by Mishael and Noam Tzion, featuring cartoons, fun layout, and thought-provoking readings great for creating dynamic discussions at your Seder tables. A link to this Haggadah is available online at the TBE website.

Passover

Before the Meal: 1. Signposts of the Seder: Kadesh Urchatz 2. First Cup: Kiddush 3. Dips: Karpas 4. Breaking the Matza: Yachatz 5. The Story of the Matza: Ha Lachma 6. Four Questions: Ma Nishtana 7. Storytelling-“We were slaves”: Avadeem Hayeenu 8. Four Children 9. The Promise: V’hee She-am-da 10. The Tale of the Wandering Jew 11. Ten Plagues 12. Da-yeinu 13. Explaining Pesach, Matza, Maror 14. “In every generation” 15. Psalm 114: Hallel 16. Second Cup 17. Eating Matza, Maror and Korech

After the Meal: 18. Afikomen 19. Blessing after Eating: Barech 20. Third Cup 21. Elijah’s Cup 22. Fourth Cup Songs: Echad Mee Yo-dei-a; Chad Gad-ya; Next Year in Jerusalem: La-Shana Haba-a

Passover Note from Rabbi Stephen

Passover is a home-focused holiday. These moments with children and families gathered are invaluable and educational experiences. In order to make time for seders, we’re keeping Passover morning

services at 9:30 am.

In observance of Passover, the Temple kitchens are closed for the duration of Passover. Please note there will be no Kiddush luncheons served during either Shabbat that falls on Passover.

PAGE 6 APRIL 2019

Passover

In order for the sale of your chametz to be effective, all foods that are forbidden during Passover should be placed in a separate room or locked cabinet for the duration of the holiday. Donations that accompany this form will be forwarded to a local Birmingham charity.

It is also customary to provide funds for Jews who can’t afford matzah for seder. If you would like to help those in need, please write a check to the Rabbi’s Matzah Fund.

AUTHORIZATION OF AGENT TO SELL CHAMETZ

I, _____________________________________________, hereby authorize Rabbi Stephen Slater to act as my agent to sell any chametz that may be in my possession, wherever it may be at my home, place of business or elsewhere, in accordance with the requirements and provisions of Jewish law.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________

Home Address: ________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________________

Enclosed is a contribution of $___________ with this form. All donations should be made to Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (please note Sale of Chametz). These donations will be sent to Greater Birmingham Ministries to help the people of our community.

Enclosed is an additional contribution of $_____________ for the Rabbi’s Matzah Fund.

Please fill out this form and mail it to the TBE office by 5 pm on April 18. You can also scan and email the form to info@templebeth-el.net.

PAGE 7 APRIL 2019

Special Events

YOGA NIDRA WITH

NAN APRIL 6 Get some spiritual rest by joining Nan Unkenholz for Yoga Nidra at 9:30 am on April 6. Yoga “sleep” will leave you rested after a hard week. Program lasts approximately an hour. Yoga mat recommended but not required.

New Member Shabbat

9:30 am, April 6

Help us celebrate our newest members and

welcome our new conversion students to the

community!

Save the Date: May 1 1

Conf i rmat ion and Sen ior Send—Off

Please submit names of graduating high school and college seniors to

Haley in the Temple office by May 8.

Email her at hvines@templebeth-el.net. Be sure to include school from

which the student is graduating and future plans.

PAGE 8 APRIL 2019

HAMANTASCHEN AND HAMAN

The Chesed Committee’s Hamantaschen and Haman Purim program was a great success! Pictured at right are some of the homemade hamantaschen served to our seniors at Brookdale Place on March 21. Fun was had by all!

—Dorothy Ziff, Sandra Gilbert and Cindy May, Chesed Committee Co-Chairs

Chesed Committee

CONDOLENCES (as of March 13)

With sympathy, we wish the following family peace and love during their time of sorrow:

Bertha Krantz Luks Hilary Chiz, Judith Luks and Marc Luks

May the families be comforted among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

PASSOVER BIMAH FLOWERS Thank you to those who have sponsored the flowers that adorn our Bimah during Passover.

Passover (Last 2 Days)

In Memory of Our Loved Ones From: Anonymous

Passover ( First 2 Days ) In Memory of Our Beloved Family Members From: Lynette and J.B. Mazer, Carole and Michael Mazer and Family, Nancy and Dennis Lutz and Family

PASSOVER TOT

SHABBAT MONTHLY

SPECIAL: APRIL 13 Prepare for Passover so that your kids are seder-ready!

Locusts not invited. Frogs OK.

Sisterhood Newsletter Sisterhood

PAGE 9 APRIL 2019

Celebrate at Temple Beth-El!

Do you have an upcoming simcha or special occasion? Celebrate with a Kiddush luncheon! Call the TBE office if you’d like to sponsor a congregational Shabbat Kiddush or make a donation to the Simcha Shabbat Fund.

We had such a fun event in March! Sisterhood hosted MOVIE NIGHT, and Co-Chairs Eileen Levin and Arlene Shelsky did a wonderful job - from the movie selection, “A Stranger Among Us,” to the dessert reception. It was a thought-provoking movie, about a non-Jewish police detective working to solve a murder in the Chasidic section of Brooklyn - great movie! Afterwards, we went into the Cultural Center for a delicious dessert spread that had something for everyone: Coke and Root Beer Floats, pound cake and chocolate cake, fresh fruit, ice cream, jimmies, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, etc. The Hollywood-themed decorations completed the overall theme for the evening. Let’s do it again!

PASSOVER RECIPE SWAP A couple of years ago, Sisterhood held a Passover tasting and a Passover recipe pamphlet was created from that event. We would like to update and add to, so please email your favorite Passover recipe to Arlene Fisher, afisher185@gmail.com. We will then distribute the revised pamphlet via email before Passover!

SHOP/SUPPORT OUR GIFT SHOP First seder — Friday, April 19. Shop our Gift Shop for all your Passover needs! Seder plates, Kiddush cups, Matzoh and Afikomen covers, kids’ plague puppets, games and bibs. If you’re looking for a wedding gift for Alejandra Colon Lopez & Yihsrael Velez Alicea, they’ve created a registry in the Sisterhood Gift Shop!

SISTERHOOD NEW MEMBER Welcome to our newest Sisterhood member: JUDY OLITSKY

PAGE 10 APRIL 2019

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Mazal Tov to Rachael Shevin & Ben Hazan on their March 31 marriage. Rachael is the daughter of Debbie Shevin. Mazal Tov to Barbara Royal, founder of Momentum, for being named a Distinguished Honoree for the 46th Brotherhood and Sisterhood Awards by the National Conference for Community and Justice. Mazal Tov to Joyce Shevin for her recent appointment to the Human Rights Commission by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Mazal Tov to Alejandra Colon Lopez & Yihsrael Velez Alicea on their upcoming nuptials. The couple will be married on April 14 and will continue to reside in Birmingham.

Special birthdays are now published from age 25 and every 5 years thereafter. If we don’t have your birthday on file,

please be sure to share it! We’d love to help you celebrate your milestone!

Larry Brook Jerry Cherner

Morissa Cohen Norris Friedman

Anita Gouse David Kimerling

Joel Mendler Samantha St. John

Jeff Waldman Jeffrey Weingrad

Special Birthdays

PAGE 11 APRIL 2019

[T]Be Involved Social Action Committee

GREATER BIRMINGHAM

MINISTRIES POVERTY

SIMULATION 9:30 am, April 7, Temple Beth-El

Every year we read in the Haggadah “This year we are still slaves, next year free people”, but what does that actually look like in modern society? Bring the lessons of Passover to life by joining us for Greater Birmingham Ministry’s Poverty Simulation, where we will step into the shoes of people living in poverty. Participants will be organized into “families” and assigned tasks to provide food, shelter, and other basic necessities during the course of a simulated month, broken up into four 15-minute “weeks.” It can help break down stereotypes and can leave a lasting impression. Appropriate for ages 12 and up. For more information and to RSVP, please email Dani Kahn-Krell at dk2660@columbia.edu.

THANK YOU TO OUR

SOCK AND UNDERWEAR

DRIVE DONORS! Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Show You Care with Underwear” new socks and underwear drive for children in grades K-12. It was a great success! Over the course of several deliveries, we donated HUNDREDS of items to our partner organization, Greater Birmingham Ministries. We showed we cared from tusches to toes with all the “un-mensch-ables” we gave.

COMMUNITY KITCHENS EASTER MEAL AT GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WOODLAWN The Jewish community will be hosting the Community Kitchens Easter meal on Sunday, April 21, at Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn. Visit www.templebeth-el.net to sign up to donate food items needed in advance, volunteer on Easter Sunday or make a financial contribution for the meal. Your support is much appreciated. Dry food donated during the Passover holiday period should be dropped off at the Religious School, where it will be placed in a separate storage space from the building. Refrigerated goods should be dropped off at Community Kitchens. Contact the Temple office prior to making any delivery.

A Note From Rabbi Stephen Regarding This Year’s Meal We are aware that this year Easter falls on the Second Day of Passover, a Jewish holiday. As a result, we do not expect people to change their own celebration of Passover in order to serve at Community Kitchens. However, there are still a number of ways you can support the cause and Community Kitchens prior to the holiday, as noted above. We want folks to know that the main responsibility of serving the meal does not need to fall on congregants who might be celebrating Passover. In addition, Debby Thomas has agreed to transfer the flame that will be used by the Jewish volunteers for cooking from a pre-existing flame. Thank you all! Yours, Rabbi Stephen

PAGE 12 APRIL 2019

Message from Temple Beth-El Foundation

“It is not what one says, but rather what one does, that makes all the difference in the world.”

Pike Avot 1:17 The actions by donors to the Temple Beth-El Foundation speak volumes! How many of the following programs have you and your family benefitted from or enjoyed?

• Kiddush luncheons • Family Shabbat Ruach • Cemetery Maintenance • Break–the –Fast on Yom Kippur • Family Dues Assistance • Holiday Celebrations • Camp Scholarships • Shabbat childcare • Support for Religious School • USY Programs • Scholar-in-Resident Programs • The Memorial Rock garden at Elwood Cemetery • Live Streaming of Religious Services and Programs in our main sanctuary

These programs are just a few of the hundreds of activities our Foundation has supported over the past fifty-nine years. There are several ways you too can donate to the Temple Beth-El Foundation and let your actions speak louder than words:

• open a fund to honor and perpetuate the memory of a family member or to support a favorite activity at Temple;

• leave a bequest in your will; • purchase a life insurance policy and name the foundation as a beneficiary; • donate stock, bonds, securities or real estate.

These are a few examples of how you can play a vital role in ensuring the future of Temple Beth-El. Speak with your attorney or financial advisor to help determine how your actions can speak far more expressive than words! For TBEF donations, see page 14.

Men’s Club

PAGE 13 APRIL 2019

MEN’S CLUB STAYING THE COURSE 2019 has started out to be a GREAT year for Men’s Club !

We had a Super Successful Super Bowl Fundraiser (say that 3 times fast .) We had an absolutely amazing, memorable World Wide Wrap. We are right now (literally as I am writing this) amid an explosive Men’s Club March Madness Membership Drive, with Steve Altmann as our March Madness NCAA Tournament Pool Chairman (Thank You Steve!). I can’t report back just yet on how we did on this membership drive, but it has already been a success, if you ask me, picking up 9 new members and still a week away from the tournament! Men’s Club is all set to supply our Temple and all its congregants with their Yellow Yom HaShoah Candles. Please, pick your candle up, which will be on the table in front of the Temple office, on April 12. Yom HaShoah begins at sundown on May 1. We have other events in the works, like Men’s Club Family Night at The Ball Park, and if you want to join in on all the fun,

PLEASE DO! Membership is only $36 and Men’s

Club needs YOU to have a successful 2019!

—Allen Halpern, President of Men’s Club

PAGE 14 APRIL 2019

TEMPLE BETH-EL FOUNDATION DONATIONS

A donation has been made by Mary A. Culpeper (of blessed memory) in memory of Irby Cohen on his Yahrzeit to the Rabbi Culpeper and Irby Cohen Performing Arts Fund.

Donations were made by the Jewish Foundation of Memphis in loving memory of Mervyn Epsman to the General Fund.

Donations were made by Michelle Bearman-Wolnek & Seth Wolnek to the Wolnek Teen Enrichment Fund.

A donation was made by Marian & Myron Radwin to the Jill Radwin Confirmation Trip Fund.

A donation was made to the General Fund by Suzanne & Howard Bearman.

Donations were made in honor of Ann Z. Cohen’s 80th birthday by Lisa & Thomas Friedlander and Fredda & Gary Friedlander to the Myron “Pete” and Ann Z. Cohen Aron HaKodesh Fund.

Donations were made to the Margy & Albert Rosenbaum Fund by Margy Rosenbaum wishing good health to Sharon Cook and in memory of beloved husband and father Albert Rosenbaum on his Yahrzeit.

A donation was received for the Rejuvenation Fund for Rabbi from the Joseph H. & Reva Engel Foundation.

Donations were made by Susan & Michael Stein to the Myron “Pete” and Ann Z. Cohen Aron HaKodesh Fund in memory of Stephen Peetluk, beloved husband of Amy and father of Avi Peetluk, and in loving memory of Virginia Heiman.

Danielle & Alan Weintraub made a donation to the General Fund.

Natalie & Albert Sikora made a donation to the General Fund.

Margy Rosenbaum made a donation to the General Fund in loving memory of Fannie & Herman Rosenbaum on their Yahrzeits.

A donation was made to the General Fund by Phyllis Z. Alltmont in loving memory of Goldie & Sidney Ziff.

Joyce & Maury Shevin made a donation to the Tenenbaum/Spielberger Tikkun Olam Fund in memory of J. Harold Shevin and Alvin M. Tenenbaum on their Yahrzeits.

Barbara Bonfield made a donation to the Bonfield Family Fund.

Ilene & Allan Wilensky made a donation to the Bonim B’Yachad Fund.

Lisa & Alan Engel made a donation to the Bonim B’Yachad Fund.

A donation was made to the General Fund in loving memory of Irving Buchalter by Pam & Alan Buchalter.

PAGE 15 APRIL 2019

DONATIONS Good Fortune Fund

A Double Chai donation in appreciation of the TBE Minyanaires for helping Albert Sikora say Kaddish the past 11 months in memory of his beloved sister Pauline Riskin From: Albert Sikora A Chai donation in honor of Shirley Froehlich for receiving the Light of Torah award From: Ricki & Lanny Kline

Chevra Kadisha

A Generous donation in memory of beloved mother Frances Jaffe on her Yahrzeit From: Her Children

Speedy Recovery

A Chai donation wishing Bob Greenberg continued good health From: Penny Gordon A Chai donation wishing a speedy recovery to Pam Ruttenberg From: Sherry & Jerry Cherner Wishing a speedy recovery to Pam Ruttenberg From: Frieda & Eph Mazer

Chico Bomchel Memorial Social Action Fund

A Chai donation in memory of beloved wife Chita Weintrob on her Yahrzeit From: Howard Weintrob A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Libby Brook on her Yahrzeit A Chai donation in memory of beloved father Harry Biel on his Yahrzeit From: Adrienne & Julian Brook

Music & Youth Director’s Fund

A Double Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Sandra Jaffe & Barry Dreayer on becoming grandparents From: Mary & David Kimerling

A Chai donation in loving memory of Joe Levy From: Andi & Joe Preston

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

A donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund From: Larissa & Vitaly Charny

Library Fund A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Penny Novak From: Sandy & Gene Siegal

Sisterhood Fund A Chai donation wishing a speedy recovery to Pam Ruttenberg From: Dodie Sokol & Howard Weintrob A Chai donation in honor of Shirley Froehlich for receiving the Light of Torah award From: Sandy & Gene Siegal A Chai donation in honor of Shirley Froehlich for receiving the Light of Torah award A Chai donation wishing Marlene Shapiro speedy recovery and continued good health From: Pam Ruttenberg & Arnold Shiland

Robert Spielberger Memorial Fund

In memory of beloved friend Chita Weintrob on her Yahrzeit From: Lynn & Bert Bloomston

Prayer Book Fund

A prayer book has been donated in honor of Ron Froehlich’s 80th birthday From: Arlene & Marvin Shelsky and Family

In Loving Memory

A Generous donation in loving memory of Joe Levy From: Helen & Larry Rose

A Chai donation in loving memory of Joe Levy From: Cheryl Ann Palmer A Chai donation in loving memory of Joe Levy From: Cissy & Leonard Held In loving memory of Stephen Crawford’s mother From: Frieda & Eph Mazer

Yahrzeits

In loving memory on their Yahrzeits A most Generous donation in memory of beloved mother Barbara Hallerman From: Linda Gallagher A most Generous donation in memory of beloved uncle Arthur Laskin From: Barbara & Mark Nissenbaum A Generous donation in memory of beloved Grandfather Philip Fisher A Generous donation in memory of beloved grandfather Samuel Zeidman A Generous donation in memory of beloved father Eugene M. Zeidman From: Adele Silver A Generous donation in memory of beloved mother Elaine Benjamin From: Stuart Benjamin A Generous donation in memory of beloved father Seymour Romanoff From: Sherri & David Romanoff A Generous donation in memory of beloved mother Sadie Shiland Starr From: Toby Starr Gordon and Anita Starr Shapiro A Double Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Frances Birnbaum From: Joan Loretta Munn A Double Chai donation in memory of beloved granddaughter Abbey Benck From: Pam Ruttenberg and Family A Chai donation in memory of beloved father Harry Wilk From: Arlene Fisher

PAGE 16 APRIL 2019

DONATIONS A Chai donation in memory of beloved great-grandmother and grandmother Matilda Cohen A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother and grandmother Rachel Jaffe From: Jan & Kenny, Kendal and Tyler Jaffe A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Estelle Berkowitz From: Marilyn & Dick Berkowitz A Chai donation in memory of beloved husband David E. Fleisher From: Celeste W. Fleisher A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Esther Padove A Chai donation in memory of beloved father Seymour Padove From: Susan & Stuart Padove A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Beatrice Solomon From: Jane & Melvin Davis A Chai donation in memory of beloved father Max Zell From: Barbara & Mitchell Lawley A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Polina Kalikhman From: Bronya Belotserkovskoya A Chai donation in memory of beloved father David Shapiro From: Myra & Stuart Dobbs A Chai donation in memory of beloved step-father Bert Steinberg From: Jay S. Cohen A Chai donation in memory of beloved father Isadore S. Weintrob From: Marty Kontos

A Chai donation in memory of beloved grandmother Paulina Belotserkovskaya A Chai donation in memory of beloved grandmother Polina Kalikhman From: Olga Belotserkovskaya & Al Belotserkovaskiy A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Rachel C. Jaffe A Chai donation in memory of beloved grandmother Matilda Cohen From: Patricia & Louis Safier A Chai donation in memory of beloved father Joseph B. Toranto From: Richard Toranto A Chai donation in memory of beloved sister Pauline Riskin From: Natalie & Albert Sikora A Chai donation in memory of beloved husband Melvin Olshan From: Rochelle B. Olshan A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Rose Glick From: Dolly & David Staff A Chai donation in memory of beloved mother Edna Schnaper From: Ann Rebecca Schnaper Aisic Hirsch, husband From: Riva Hirsch Gita Golubova, grandmother From: Lazar Golubov Yonkel Zeltser, brother From: Anya Treyger Paul Schlaff, father From: Linda Karlin

Sara Reed, grandmother From: Foster Levy Michael Feirman, father-in-law From: Rhoda Feirman Alfred Long, husband From: Norma Jean Long Joe Seligman, father, grandfather From: Bobbye & Michael Seligman and Family Henry Greenberg, father From: Bruce & Katherine Greenberg Nazlie Senior, grandmother From: Natalie & Albert Sikora Maurice Davis, father From: Sue Davis LaSalle Lolly Abrams, Aunt From: Jeff Padawer Vita Kishina, aunt David Kishin, uncle From: Genya Safyanova and Zinaida Golubova Philip Davidson, uncle From: Arnold Cooper

Donations processed after March 8 will appear in a future edition of the

Connection.

A Special Note of Appreciation Thank you to Natalie & Albert Sikora for donating a new toaster oven for the

Temple Beth-El Conference Room.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

APRIL 2019 PAGE 17

YAHRZEITS April 5-6 Daniel Bernstein *Abe Butler Dorothy Foy *Mary Ginsburg *Mildred Ginsburg *Bessie Goldner Norman Hirschberg Giza Horowitz *Nanette Hyatt Boris Ioshpa Goldie Krys Meyer Laskin *Joyce Levy Seymour Link *Leonard Lischkoff *Sarah Lischkoff *Abraham Meer *Gustave

Meyerowitz Glavdja Peremitina Nachama

Schlossberg *Herman Siegel *Henry Spira Maury Weiner April 12-13 *Joe Apolinsky *Irene Axel *Vladimir

Belotserkovskiy *Beatrice Binstock Saul Charny Miriam Cohen *Marvin Cohn *Lucille Cotton Juanita Daskin Robert Degen Rebecca Gershon Ruth Goldman Bessie Green Daniel Green Melvin Greenberg Ronnie Kasowitz *Esther Lee Kimerling

Archie Leder Max Levitt *Frieda Levy Miriam Lilienthal *Joseph Mazer *Rose Leah Mazer *Sylvia Olim Serafyma

Iokhymivna Paley Pearl Perling *Tess Pike Alfred Rice Pauline Riskin *J. B. Royal *Meyer Shiland *Harold Silverfield Enid Silverstein *Blair Simon Selma Spielberger Alma Stein Sam Tenenbaum *Sam Warner *Isadore Weinstein *Yehuda Wertheimer Anne Wildstein *Abraham Yanuck *Alexander Zinger April 19-20 *Sylvia Back Marilyn Bearman

Bell *Harvey Benjamin *Harry Berk *Dora Block *Harriet Bogart Annie Bram Conrad David

Cohen Sylvia Cohen Hyman Coplon *Molly Crayne *Harry Evans *Charles Feigelson Roslyn Fingerman *Rachel Friedman Rae Garfield

Leonard Gennis *Myron Ginsberg *Dave Goldberg Bennie Goldstein Fred Goldstein Ethel Gorlin *Bernard Gottlieb Blanche Gottlieb Georgia Griffith Sheina Grusin Ester Gutman Max Hasson Stanley Hellman George Hiller *Max Hoffman Sarah Jacobson *Herman Jaffe *Philip Kadis Rose Kaufman Edith Kreisman Richard Levy *Abraham Lipsitz *Walter Morse Anna Odrezin *Josephine Regal *Libby Reznik Bertha “Fritzi”

Rosenberg *Robert Rosenbluth *Annie Rotenstreich Ben Royal *Sam Rubenstein *Jennie Rubin Jerome Safer Marie Scheuer *Chana Schniper *Wilyum Sher Jack Silverman *Fannye Sokol *Melvin Sokol Pauline Sokol Paul Steinlauf Shirley Waxman *Helen Wilder *Henrietta Wolf *Philip Ziff

April 26-27 *Ike Abelson Ida Abroms Warren Axelroth Nathan Azrin Ann Banks Seymour Barnes *Joyce Benjamin Harmon R. Berger Abraham Blatt Alfred Buchalter Pearl Cohen *Sam Cohen *Frances Copeland *Marilyn Crayne *Etta Dannis *Grace “Tootsie”

Eiman Ann Elder Michael Epstein *Morris Fisher Karl Friedman Sarah Gettinger Albert Goldforb Nakhoma

Guberman Lee Harris *Rose Helman Norman Kurman Jack Lande Carl Levy Blanch Lipman *Folly Marcus Blanche McCrossen *Benjamin Mesch Boris Mintsin Ruth Mirelman *Isadore Newman Andronit Peremitin *Harry Ravitz *Marvin Rich Alex Rittenbaum *Moses Robins Archie Rosenthal Jerome Schwartz *Maurice Schwartz Bette Shapiro

*Morris Silverfield Elsie Siskin Morris Staff Cecile Sundock Michael Sundock *Peter Tichansky *Isaac Torme Bernard Trachtman *Bobby Tuck *Harold Weisner *Minnie Stern Zakuto

*Denotes a perpetual memorial plaque in sanctuary given by family members.

PAGE 18 APRIL 2019

Jewish Community News

BHEC COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERIES 6:30-8:30 pm, April 4, BHEC (2222 Arlington Ave. S.)

This event is sponsored by Church Street Coffee & Books. The topic is “Collaboration and Its Limits,” led by local scholar, Dr. Dominique Linchet.

APRIL 2019 PAGE 19

Message from TBE Board of Directors

TBE STAFFING UPDATE Fellow congregants,

It is with great joy that I announce that our Music & Youth Director Sarah Metzger has officially signed her new contract, extending her employment here at Temple Beth-El for another two years, through June 30, 2021.

Many people deserve credit as well as our thanks. Among them are...

• Rabbi Stephen Slater, for investing his time with her, developing a good professional rapport and supporting her growth

• Attorney Steven Corenblum, for representing TBE during contract negotiations

• Sarah Metzger, for her hard work, care and devotion since joining us in August 2017

Moving forward, she will report to Rabbi Stephen as her supervisor. In addition to her current duties, she may travel to Tuscaloosa up to five times a year to bring engaging programming to the UA Hillel.

This is a moment to celebrate. It represents yet another sign of stability and growth here at TBE. Three years after we did our visioning and one year after we re-evaluated how we govern ourselves, all of us continue to work together for a stronger, healthier and happier TBE. While our shul community remains a work-in-progress on many fronts, we are in a far better place today.

Sarah, keep up the great work!

Dan Weinrib, Temple Beth-El President

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REQUESTS YOUR FEEDBACK We want to hear from you. As we check in with our rabbi, review the past year and look ahead to the future, we'd like to know your thoughts and concerns. To facilitate this, we have created a dedicated email for your input.

Email us at tbe.personnel.feedback@gmail.com at any time. Anything you tell us will remain strictly confidential. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your help and involvement.

Julian Brook, Personnel Committee Chair Gary Weintraub, Co-Chair Jacob Halpern

Jessica Goldstein Karen Halpern Dan Weinrib, TBE President

Know a Temple member we should consider for our Board of Directors?

Submit any names to tbenominations@gmail.com. Please contact Nominating Committee Chair Jacob Halpern with questions.

Temple Beth-El 2179 Highland Ave. S. P.O. Box 550220 Birmingham, AL 35255-0220 (205) 933-2740

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 889 Birmingham, AL

HEALTH CARE IN THE U.S.

A TRIPLE THREAT: SPENDING, QUALITY, ACCESS Featuring Dr. Abe Schuster and Dr. Jori May

6:30-8 PM, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, TBE Dr. Jori May, hematology and oncology fellow at the University of Alabama Birmingham, and

Dr. Abraham Schuster, retired anesthesiologist with 30 years’ experience, will discuss healthcare as a national priority and provide important background on the issues we face while exploring

potential solutions for the future.