December 2014 • Volume 28 • Issue 11 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

IT’S THE ANNUAL TURKEY DRIVE!

FIND OUT HOW TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON SEE PAGE 10

Make a donation - make a difference!

Happy Chanukah

from

Rabbi Greene, Rabbi Tam, Cantor Kassel,

The Board of Trustees

and the Staff of Temple Beth Tikvah!

Please join with friends and family

as we welcome rabbinic candidate

Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner

and her husband, Jay Weiner to

Temple Beth Tikvah.

A packed weekend has been

planned and opportunities abound

for everyone to meet them and for

them to meet us.

A schedule of events can be found on page 11. In order

for the committee to plan appropriately, please make note

of events that require an RSVP. We look forward to

seeing all of you during the weekend.

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

GIVE THE GIFT OF JEWISH CAMP TO A CHILD When I arrived to Beth Tikvah, it was great to see

so many of our students involved in Jewish

camping. I recently found a note from my first

few years here reporting that we had close to 40

students attending Camp Barney Medintz, our

local JCC’s Jewish summer program, along with just under ten

students going to URJ Camp Coleman, the Reform movement’s

regional camp for our Southeast area (“URJ” stands for the Union

for Reform Judaism).

This past summer we had 110 students attending MJCCA

Camp Barney, URJ Camp Coleman, URJ Six Points Sports

Academy, URJ Six Points Sci-Tech (Science & Technology),

URJ Kutz Camp/NFTY Leadership Institute, Camp Judaea,

Adamah Adventures (now affiliated by the MJCCA and still

directed by our youth advisors, Adam and Bobbee Griff),

Blue Star, and even the 92nd Street Y’s Passport NYC.

And there are still so many programs that can still be experienced

– Etgar 36, Camp Inc., or NFTY Mitzvah Corps, or the Genesis

Program at Brandeis University.

I share this because I believe Jewish experiential education

programs in these summer camps are an extension of our

religious school goals – to strengthen Jewish identity, to foster

connections to the Jewish People here and in Israel, to experience

their own compelling encounters with Shabbat, to connect with

other Jewish kids just like them!

Studies have clearly shown how sending kids to Jewish camps

make a profound impact on these kids and our community. In the

study, “CAMP WORKS: The Long-term Impact of Jewish

Overnight Camp,” (2011) researchers showed that camp

attendance increases the likelihood of adult participation and

identification in every one of these areas.

As adults, campers are:

30% more likely to donate to a Jewish charity;

37% more likely to light Shabbat candles;

45% more likely to attend synagogue monthly or more; and

55% more likely to be very emotionally attached to Israel.

These are just a few of the statistics that were published, but

they illustrate the profound impact that these camps can make.

This is why I encourage you to send a kid to camp: if you have a

child or grandchild, make this a gift. If there are no children in

your home, consider helping us to give scholarships to make

sure that every child who wants to go to a Jewish camp has the

financial means to do so. The Temple Beth Tikvah Camp/Israel

Scholarship Fund is a restricted fund that gives between $5,000-

6,000 in need based scholarship to our kids every year.

There are incentive grants and additional, significant need-based

scholarships from a new program through the Jewish Federation

of Greater Atlanta. You can learn more about that information

here: http://atlantajewishcamp.org.

Lastly, I am thrilled to be able to announce that we are

partnering with our Federation in a new program where we have

four Parent Camp Ambassadors who are ready and excited to

talk to you about one of the many Jewish summer camp options.

Feel free to reach out to (click on name to send an email):

Margot Braiter

Karen Greenspan

Valerie Kassel

Viki Stein

They have sent their children to different Jewish summer

programs, but they are ready to talk to you about the right camp

for your child.

As a rabbi, I am invested in our Jewish future. As a father, I see

how much my daughters love camp and have become stronger,

more resilient and more faithful because of their particular

experiences at camp.

If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to

reach out to me.

Rabbi Fred Greene

CAMP COLEMAN 2014

CAMP BARNEY 2014

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

NOTES FROM CANTOR KASSEL

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the

universe, who hallows us with mitzvot,

commanding us to wrap ourselves in the fringes.

ABOUT THE TALLIT

In Numbers 15:37 – 40, immediately following a

passage about a man put to death for gathering

wood on the sabbath day, we read:

The Lord said to Moses, as follows: Speak

to the Israelite people and instruct them

to make for themselves fringes (tzi-

tzit) on the corners of their garments

throughout the ages; let them attach a

cord of blue to the fringe at each corner.

That shall be your fringe; look at it and

recall all the commandments of the

Lord and observe them, so that you do

not follow your heart and eyes in your

lustful urge. Thus you shall be reminded

to observe all My commandments and to

be holy to your God.

Many of you have noticed that there are a plethora

of tallitot (plural) to choose from these days and

while they traditionally were worn only by men,

many women choose to observe this commandment

as well. As traditional or contemporary, large or

small, masculine or feminine as these tallitot may

be, they exist purely for the fringes, based on the

biblical passage above. And they, the fringes or

tzitzit, are to serve as a daily reminder, much like

the mezzuzah and tefilin, to observe God’s com-

mandments.

In a traditional siddur (prayerbook) there are sever-

al passages prior to putting on the tallit which

serve as meditations, kabbalistic in

origin. One part of this meditation

says – that “even as I cover myself

with the tallit in this world, so may

my soul deserve to be clothed with a

beauteous spiritual robe in the World to Come, in

the garden of Eden.”

I personally did not grow up seeing worshippers

who donned a tallit, and it wasn’t until halfway

through my cantorial education that I decided to

experiment with wearing one. I have to say that

observing this commandment has become precious

to me and when I wear a tallit I feel enveloped by

the beauty of our traditions and their call to me to

remember and observe God’s commandments.

BEING WRAPPED IN THE TALLIT

BEING WRAPPED IN THE

LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH

The tallit and its fringes, just as the chanukiah and

its ever-increasing candle lights, are both sources

of comfort to me. They are rituals that in and of

themselves may seem illogical, but the power of

ritual is that it is not solely based upon logic. In

Judaism, rituals are connected to higher visions

and self-expectations in which we elevate the

mundane to the sacred. When you next come to

services on a Shabbat or holiday morning, maybe

you will consider wearing a tallit if you do not al-

ready do so. In the meantime – may you be

wrapped in the light and warmth of the Chanukiah.

B’Shalom,

Cantor Nancy Kassel

Cantor Kassel’s Adult Learning

Book Discussion: "Unorthodox: The Scandalous

Rejection of My Hasidic Roots"

by Deborah Feldman

Sunday, Jan. 11 from 10:45-11:55 am

The Music and Religion of Leonard Cohen

Sunday, Feb. 8 from 10:45-11:55 am

Tips for Leading an Engaging Seder

Sunday, Mar. 15 and Sunday, Mar. 22 from

11:00-11:55 am

4

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Where does the time go? It seems like only days ago I heard the

blowing of the shofar during the High Holy Days. Our

community came together and prayed together in such an

inspiring way. Now, all I see and hear are signs, symbols and

sounds of the secular holidays that will be in our faces and ears

for the next 30 days or more. How will you deal with all the

holiday celebrations going on around you and in your schools and

neighborhoods? There are many opportunities to divert you from

joining the mayhem at the mall…..Join us for one of our many

adult education classes, attend the December Sisterhood event

and make a piece of jewelry for yourself or as a gift (no mall

traffic there!), attend Shabbat services on Friday night December

12th or Saturday morning December 13th and meet Rabbi Shuval-

Weiner, a Rabbinic finalist candidate, take your kids to one of

our many Youth activities……many opportunities exist.

Hopefully, Hanukkah puts you in the spirit of giving. Our

community would love to receive your gift. The Annual

campaign is underway, and our match opportunity expires at the

end of January. Why not give one less present and give that

money to our synagogue’s annual campaign? It can even be

earmarked “In honor of” the person you choose. For example, a

gift of $100 will turn into $150 and will be not

only appreciated, but put toward much needed

projects. And don’t forget that gift from the

IRS of a tax deduction for 2014.

If you are still reading, I thought I’d gift you

with a cute Hanukkah story.

Admiring the Christmas trees displayed in his neighbor's

windows, Micah asks his father, 'Daddy, can we have a

‘Hanukkah Tree?'

'What? No, of course not,' says his father.

'Why not?' asks Micah again.

Bewildered, his father replies, 'Because the last time we had

dealings with a lighted bush we spent 40 years in the

wilderness.'

Come and spend time at TBT and with your TBT family, make

a new connection, re-kindle an old one. May your Hanukkah

and your December be meaningful and safe this year!

L’Shalom

Ron Swichkow

A December to Remember

Hello Sisterhood! We are in the midst of plans and events for this

fall and winter seasons. First, we are sending a big “shout out”

for a fantastic Mah Jongg and Game Night, in November. We

had a fabulous response! Please plan for another Mah Jongg

and Game Morning at Temple on January 25, 2015, starting

at 9:45am to 11:45am, in the Social Hall. Please check your

email, for the Evite, to RSVP, and join us for round number two!

As you receive this newsletter, our Brilliant Jewelry Making

Nights are set for December 1st AND December 3rd, from 7pm

to 9pm, at Brilliant. Atlanta. We hope you signed up through

Evite, for these creative evenings.

We are proud to offer a very informative seminar: “Winter

Wellness: Cold and Flu Prevention and Strategies Semi-

nar”, with Terry Apt Carasick: Nurse Practitioner and Naturo-

path, specializing in herbs. It is being held on December 7th at

10:00am, in the Oneg Room. Admission: Bring canned

tuna fish, for the Kosher Pantry; RSVP is requested. Please

check your email for the Evite.

Please also join us on January 13, 2015 at 7:30pm, for a Chal-

lah Baking Class, TBT Kitchen Shower, and a Sisterhood

Bake Off, all “rolled” into one evening, at TBT’s Kitchen and

Oneg Room. Let’s dress up our kitchen, with some much need-

ed utensils and supplies, while enjoying how to make a great

challah and tasting yummy baked goods. Admission to the event

is one, new kitchen donation item.

Please check your email for the Evite, as an RSVP is requested.

We extend an open invitation to all of you, in becoming active

in your Sisterhood. Please join us for our next Board Meeting,

on January 21, 2015 at 7:30pm. We are meeting at Star-

bucks (in the Roswell Marketplace - Mansell Road and Al-

pharetta Highway ~ 10811 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell). We

need your input, for our spring planning. The Sisterhood Adult

Education Committee is in the midst of planning winter and

spring events. Our Women’s Community Outreach Committee,

formerly known as Social Action, has been reenergized with

some great new members and excellent ideas. Both committees

are designing meaningful events, to broaden our horizons within

our Temple community, and the surrounding metro Atlanta ar-

ea.

Save the Dates For These Upcoming Events – Please check

your email for your Evite - for details and to RSVP:

December 1st AND December 3rd – Jewelry Making Parties at

Brilliant Atlanta

December 7th - Winter Wellness: Cold and Flu Prevention and

Strategies Seminar at TBT

January 13th – Challah Baking Class, TBT Kitchen Shower, &

Sisterhood Bake Off at TBT

January 21st – Sisterhood Board Meeting at Starbucks (no Evite,

just join us)

January 25th – Mah Jongg and Game Morning at TBT

February 26th – Hamentachen Baking at TBT

We hope to see you soon!

Stacy Chambers and Robin Bledsoe

Sisterhood

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Early Childhood Education Center

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

In its latest report, The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 68 children are identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This

new estimate is about 30 percent higher than previous reports. The data shows that ASD is almost five times more common among boys than girls:

1 in 42 boys versus 1 in 189 girls. So what do the facts have to do with Temple Beth Tikvah?

Over the summer, I received a phone call from a mother interested in sending her child to our preschool. After answering some basic questions, the

mother explained that her son has autism and is non-verbal, and asked if he would be able to come to our school. “Sure!” I said,” I have been here

for 12 years, and we have made accommodations for children with all sorts of special needs.” As the director and a teacher in the Early Childhood

Center, we have had children with special needs have a successful preschool experience here, so this was no big deal.

We scheduled a tour of the school. I met with mom and discovered that this child’s needs are more than we have handled before. The mother and I

had an open, honest conversation about her son, what their goals are for him, how we can accommodate him, and the reality of what if we are not

the right fit for him and his needs.

Jonah came to visit us over the summer. He came in like a tornado, eager to explore the new surroundings. I immediately sensed his sweetness and

excitement, but was concerned that our Early Childhood Center was not the right place for him. Not because we didn’t want to accommodate him,

but because of the what ifs… what if we can’t give him what he needs?, what if we can’t help him accomplish goals?, what if the other children

don’t react well to him?, what if the parents of the other children get angry because he needs so much attention?, what if?….

Then I put myself in the place of this child’s parents and asked myself , what if this were your child?, what if they have no where else to go?, what if

we could make a difference?, what if?.....

The truth was this family had no where else to go. Other schools had turned them away or have outrageous fees associated with them. We are a

Jewish school. We teach our children Jewish values. How could I not practice what we teach?

Jonah arrived at school with his facilitator. His parents bought each child in the class a special book about having a new friend like him. The teach-

ers read the story to the children and had conversations about how Jonah’s brain works differently. Families took the time to talk with their children

about Jonah and his differences. Teachers took the time to embrace Jonah and his facilitator into our ECEC family. Jonah began to inspire each one

of us in ways I could not imagine.

School has been in session for 10 weeks as I write this. In those 10 weeks, we have seen Jonah’s good and bad days. We have seen him throw him-

self on the ground, screaming, we have seen him running around the school, we have seen him get frustrated. We have also seen him hugging his

new friends, having fun on the playground, sitting still in the sanctuary, and getting a little bit closer to the goals his parents have set for him.

Jonah has inspired our Early Childhood Center to take part in the Matan Institute, a nationally recognized organization that advocates for Jewish

students with special needs. Our Early Childhood Center strives to give all children access to a meaningful Jewish education. We will continue to

embrace Jonah, his family, other children like Jonah and all of the fabulously wonderful children that come through our program. The children in

our classrooms inspire us everyday and we are better educators for that.

Jenifer Friedman

Early Childhood Director

We are very proud of our achievements in the religious school. We are always very focused on Hebrew,

History, Bible, Prayers, art and music. We are pleased to tell you about some new things we are doing in

the school. With the support of The Board of Education and the Youth Group we planned new and excit-

ing activities for our 3rd – 7th grade students. Our Religious School/Youth Group Collaboration has gotten

off to a great start! We have had 2 sets of short mixers during the last month - the students spent time learn-

ing each other's names, a little more about their classmates, and had fun playing some silly games! We will

have 2 more mixers, one in January and one in February for the students.

The first weekend in November was our first off-site event for the 3rd graders. We went to Cagle's Farm

and had a blast jumping on

the giant air pillow, going on

a hayride, seeing pigs race

and cows herded. It was a little chilly, but no one

seemed to mind and definitely enjoyed the hot chocolate

at the end of the farm tour! We are looking forward to

our 4th, 5th and 6th grade events later in the year as well.

Hassia Levin

Religious School

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Youth Group

HOTTY (9-12th Grade)

We’ve been busy these last few weeks. In October, a few HOTTYites went to Alpharetta Park to help out at a Miracle League baseball game. The kids had a lot of fun and so did our HOTTYites. In fact, we had such a great time that we are ready to go back! If you’ve never heard of it, make sure to check it out – it’s an awesome organization: http://www.miracleleague.com/. Then, in November we had our IDF night where we learned about Israeli culture by doing some dancing, practicing some Krav Maga moves, eating falafel and playing an IDF scavenger hunt around the temple. And…we had a record breaking 42 HOTTYites attend NFTY-SAR’s Fall Kallah!! It was an awesome weekend!

Our annual event is right around the corner…join us on December 20-21st for HOTTY’s Annual Broomball & Latke-in Lock-in. We’ll meet at TBT on Saturday night and then head over to the Cooler to play broomball! Then, it’s back to TBT for a lock-in at the synagogue. Hope you can make it!

Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/) to

stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events!

JYG (7-8th Grade) JYG’s In November JYG met up with the Junior Youth Group from Temple Kehillat Chaim for a joint event at Brunswick Zone. We had a great time bowling, eating pizza and popcorn, and meeting some other JYGers. We’re hoping to do a few more joint events throughout the year so by the time we get to Hatikvah Kallah we’ll already know some JYGers from other synagogues in Atlanta. Next up for JYG is one of our favorite events – the Chocolate Making Party at Chamberlains Chocolate Factory. Mark your calendars for January 25th so you don’t miss this fun event!

Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening with JYG, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!

5th & 6th Grade Our December 5th & 6th grade event will be here before you know it. Join us on December 14th for Whirly ball and Laser Tag. Oh, and what event would be complete without pizza lunch? Watch your email and our Facebook page for all of the details.

Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.56/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!

Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact us at: youth@bethtikvah.com or call us:

Bobbee (303) 981-2356 & Adam (404) 971-4687

Upcoming Events: December 14th – 5/6th Whirlyball and Laser Tag

December 20-21st – HOTTY Latke-In January 16-19th – NFTY-SAR Winter Regional & Elections (Jacksonville, FL)

January 25th – JYG Bowling January 31st – HOTTY Camp Jenny Fundraiser

The ECEC Parents Connection and

TBT Fundraising Committee bring you

Come celebrate your Prom Night for a second time,

eighties style & help support

Temple Beth Tikvah & the ECEC.

Auctions, DJ & Dancing, Raffle & Refreshments.

Saturday February 21, 2015

More Info to Come!

HOTTY HELPING AT MIRACLE LEAGUE

JYG BOWLING

We are SO excited to finally have our very own youth lounge at TBT (classroom 23)! We are looking for some items to help furnish it. Here is our wish list. If you have any of these items that you would be willing to donate to us, please email us at: youth@bethtikvah.com (they don't have to be brand new, but in reasonably good condition). Thank you!!

Youth Lounge Wish List

♦Paint for walls ♦Chalkboard paint ♦TV stand ♦DVD player ♦Couches ♦Small tables/coffee tables ♦Storage cabinet ♦Bookshelves ♦Carpet ♦Wireless printer

♦Keurig machine

7

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Essays on the Unique Nature and Destiny of the

Jewish People: Fact or Fiction?

Instructor: Rabbi Donald Tam

Confronting the challenges of Modernity, many Jewish intellectuals and

religious leaders attempted to define and explain the nature of the Jewish

people. Are we a religion like any other? Are we a national entity or

ethnicity like the Italians or Poles? What is it about our history that is

unique, if in fact it is unique at all? How can the Jews survive as a

distinct entity in the modern world? What are the conditions our

survival demands? On Sunday mornings we will read from and discuss

several excerpts from essays by “modern” Jewish thinkers on the nature

and future of the Jewish People. Do any of these essays guide us toward

a viable Jewish future?

Dec. 7

Simon Dubnov (The great Jewish historian from Vilna in first half of the

twentieth century, who believed the Jews to be a “unique nation,” but

was not a believer in Zionism. He was shot in the street as an old man

by the Nazis in 1941): “A Spiritual Nation.”

Dec. 14

Erich Kahler (A Jewish intellectual of the mid-twentieth century who

taught at the New School of Social Research in New York and was a

member of the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton): “What Are the

Jews?”

Classes will meet from 10:30-11:45 am in the Library

From Sarah to Savannah: Leadership lessons from our

ancestral mothers for today’s women

Instructor: Rabbi Pamela Jay Gottfried

Do women have different ways of communicating, praying, acting and

leading? What lessons can we learn about women’s leadership today

from the biblical and rabbinic stories of women such as Sarah,

Rebecca, Rachel & Miriam? Together we’ll study the ancient texts and

try to glean wisdom to help us flourish as women and as leaders - at

home and in the workplace - in the 21st century.

$36 for the class series.

Please register by sending your check to the TBT office,

and designate Women’s Study Group on the memo line.

This class meets on the following Thursday evenings at 7 pm:

2014: December 18th

2015: January 15th, February 19th, March 19th, April 23rd

See pages 1 and 2 for classes led by Rabbi Greene and Cantor Kassel

Adult Ed

How to take charge of a situation – Rachel

(Genesis 31)

How to work for justice & freedom – The

Midwives, Miriam, Pharaoh’s Daughter (Exodus

1-2)

How to protect your family & be an equal partner

at home – Tziporah (Exodus 4)

How to lead in the workplace; conforming to

gender roles – Miriam (Exodus 15)

How to communicate effectively; when talk is

not gossip – Miriam (Numbers 12)

It’s time to start planning for

Purim Carnival 2015 and as they say,

“Many hands make light work”!

If you would like to be a part of making

this the best year yet for our children

(of all ages!) please email Marsha Mathis

at marmat0915@yahoo.com

Purim Carnival

2015

Help Wanted!

8

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Fundraising News

Jonathan and Allison Agin

Barry and Shari Alhadeff

Brian and Sheri Baker

Dale and Wendy Bearman

Harris and Suellen Bergman

Jerry Bilsky and Judy Tolkan

Todd and Jennifer Boehm

Michael and Heather Braun

Paul and Cherie Cervasio

Lois Clymin

Michael D. and Lisa R. Cohen

Michael and Marlene Cohn

Renee Davis

Mitchell and Dyann Diamond

Audrey Eisen

Alan and Pam Epstein

Rory and Jenifer Friedman

Steve and RoseAnn Gerson

Ed and Cindy Getty

Harlan & Ivie Graiser

Rabbi Fred and Deborah Greene

Burton and Sara Grossman

Andrew and Karen Gutman

Scott and Nancy Harris

Mitchell and Julie Hilsen

Jamie and Katie Jaffe

Peter and Sharon Jedel

Morris and Anna Kagan

Cantor Nancy Kassel

Jerry and Marcy Kaufman

Marc and Deborah Klein

Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin

Ned and Lisa Kreiss

Robert and Karen Kremer

Hal and Jill Leitman

Ron and Lindsay Levin

Ronald and Jennifer Levine

Hadley and Lisa Lowy

Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig

Murray and Sonia Lynn

Joel and Aviva Margolies

Jason and Maggie McAuliffe

Thomas and Marsha McMurrain

Howard and Helaine Medoff

Gary and Peggy Mendelson

Ric and Barrie Mershon

Ilene Monat

Robert Moss

Bernie and Gail Natter

Ryan and Rachel Palazzo

Jason and Melanie Pickett

Shirley Plotkin

Scott and Rhonda Povlot

Marla Ramaglia

Betty Rickles

Barry & Robin Riegelhaupt

Howard & Barbara Rosenberg

Joel and Judy Rosenberg

Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig

Andrew and Barbara Sacks

Robert and Donna Schacher

Gary and Debra Schwartz

Rhonda Schweber

Stacy and Alicia Sher

Walter and Esther Shultz

Carol Shutzberg

David and Elisa Siegel

Sandy and Nancy Simon

Lawrence and Anne Skal

Kenneth and Helene Skolky

Howard and Cynthia Steinberg

Mathew and Dani Stordy

Barry & Denise Straus

Ronald and Leslie Swichkow

Donald and Marilyn Tam

Rosalind Taranto

David & Christine Toltzis

Mark and Sally Vosk

Bruce and Carol Waldman

Mark and Debbie Weiss

Douglas Wexler and

Jane Greenberger

Bram and Dana Wieskopf

Andrew and Ilana Zalkin

Seth and Ellen Zimmer

Shalom! The 2014 - 2015 Annual Campaign - EVERYONE Matters is off to a

great start! As you consider making year-end contributions, please consider a

gift to the Annual Campaign.

When we say, "EVERYONE Matters", that includes YOU!

Just visit www.bethtikvah.com and scroll down to ANNUAL CAMPAIGN -

EVERYONE MATTERS to make your contribution today.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I'd like to thank the following members of

our TBT family for their generous pledges and gifts:

TIME TO APPLY FOR

ALEF FUND TAX CREDIT

2015!

Since 2008, ALEF Fund has provided over $10 million in

scholarships to students at local Jewish pre-k, day

schools, and high schools. Redirecting a portion of your

state taxes to ALEF Fund helps provide children in our

community with a Jewish education.

ALEF Fund has made the process of reserving a state tax

credit even simpler this year. At www.aleffund.org , you

can reserve your 2015 tax credit in less than two

minutes! Complete your application and direct your tax

dollars to the ALEF Fund Partner Schools of your choice.

Please act now to ensure your credit will be approved and

your tax dollars will secure a Jewish education for our

families!

Please visit our website to reserve your tax credit or

contact Allison Feldman, ALEF Fund Manager at

afeldman@jfga.org or 678.222.3739 for assistance.

"The members of our Chavurah are like extended family. I can't imagine holidays without them!" "We joined a Chavurah when we first got to TBT and it helped us feel comfortable in the community quickly." -Comments from TBT members who are part of the Chavurah program. Sound interesting? Start the new year with a focus on community and join a Chavurah. New groups are forming now! What's a Chavurah? It's a group of people who share common interests and meet regularly to celebrate Jew-ish holidays, share simchas, attend TBT events, and participate in any activities that inter-est them. Being part of a Chavurah can enhance your experience at TBT by helping you develop a strong sense of community and deeper connections within the congregation. How do I join a Chavurah? Just fill out the application and we'll help you find like-minded families or individuals to form a group. Drop by the TBT office to pick one up, or visit http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/chavurot to download. What does a Chavurah do? You choose the activities you'll participate in and how often and where you meet. We can help you design a calendar of programs based on your group's interests. Questions? Please contact Dalia Faupel at d2faupel@comcast.net

C r e a t e C om m u n i t y i n a C h a v u r a h

9

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

6:45 pm - 8:30 pm Kesher

& Confirmation

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sisterhood - Jewelry

Making Event

2

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tai Chi

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Religious School -

Tuesday

3

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

HOTTY - Board

Meeting

7:00 pm - 9:00

pm Sisterhood -

Jewelry Making

Event

4 5

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Oneg

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Family Shabbat

Service - hosted by

the 5th Grade

6

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Bagels, Learning &

Torah

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service

7

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Habitat for

Humanity Build

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

ATID

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Religious School

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Sisterhood Speaker

- Cold & Flu

Prevention & Strate-

gies w/ Terry Apt

Carasick

10:30 am - 11:45 am

Essays on the

Unique Nature &

Destiny of the Jew-

ish People: Fact or

Fiction?

8

12:00 pm - 2:00

pm

Senior Luncheon

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Kesher Teen/Parent

Dinner & Class

6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Confirmation &

Kivunim

9

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tai Chi

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Religious School -

Tuesday

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Board of Ed

Meeting

10 11

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Breast Cancer

Support Group

12

9:45 am ECEC Family Shabbat

10:30 am Coffee &

Nosh w/ Rabbi

Shuval-Weiner for

ECEC, Religious

School & Youth

Group parents

12:00 pm Seniors Lunch w/ Rabbi

Shuval-Weiner

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service w/

Choir

13 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Bagels, Learning &

Torah w/ Rabbi

Shuval-Weiner

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service

2:30 pm - Teens chat

w/ Rabbi Shuval-

Weiner over Cocoa &

Cookies

14

9:30 am - 11:45 am

ATID

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Religious School & Chanukah Assembly

10:30 am - 11:45 am

Essays on the

Unique Nature &

Destiny of the

Jewish People: Fact

or Fiction?

12:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Gesher & Bonim -

Chanukah Party

12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

5th/6th YG - Whirly Ball & Laser Tag

15

6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Confirmation &

Kivunim

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

16 First Chanukah Candle

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tai Chi

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Religious School -

Tuesday

17 Chanukah - 2nd Candle 18 Chanukah - 3rd Candle

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Women's Study -

From Sarah to

Savannah: Leader-

ship Lessons from

our Ancestral Moth-

ers

7:30 pm - 10:00

pm

Board of

Trustees

Meeting

19 Chanukah - 4th Candle

11:45 am - 1:00

pm

The Introduction

to the Talmud

that You've Been

Waiting For!

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm ECEC

Chanukah Celebration

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

20 Chanukah - 5th Candle

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Bagels, Learning &

Torah

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service

5:00 pm HOTTY -

Latke In and

Broomball

21 Chanukah - 6th Candle

No Religious School

22 Chanukah - 7thCandle

No ECEC

No Religious School

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

23 Chanukah - 8th Candle

No ECEC

No Religious School

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tai Chi

24 Last Day Chanukah

No ECEC

25

No ECEC

26

No ECEC

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

27

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Bagels, Learning &

Torah

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service

28

No Religious School

29

No ECEC

No Religious School

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

30

No ECEC

No Religious School

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tai Chi

31 New Year's Eve

No ECEC

December 2014

10

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

TBT Seniors Luncheon

Monday, December 8th at 12 PM

Rabbi Donald Tam will be speaking

Please bring a gift card to give to JF&CS.

You can get them from Publix, Kroger,

Target or Walmart.

RSVP to Natine at

rosen4348@aol.com

2014

TURKEY

DRIVE

Please help us help

those in need to

have a satisfying holiday season. Send your

checks for $10 or more to TBT marked “Turkey”

and we will purchase grocery store gift cards to

share with North Fulton Community Charities and

Jewish Family and Career Services.

For more than 20 years we have hoped to get

$10 from every family—let’s make this the year!

The need in our community is growing every

year. Our contributions help many families in

our own area to put food on the table.

Questions? Call Marsha Mathis 770-992-4256

PINCH HITTER PROGRAM

Join us on Thursday, December 25th as a volunteer! The Pinch Hitter Program, which is organized by B’nai B’rith and chaired by Harry Lutz and Jerry Kravitz, provides volunteers to work in non-medical positions in area hospitals on Christ-mas Day to give employees the day off to spend with their

families. We will work in four-hour shifts at eleven hospitals and assisted living facilities this year.

You can sign up on line at www.pinchhitters.org.

Call Harry at 770.392.1175 or Jerry at 770.640.5091 for more information.

FOOD OF THE MONTH

The food bins are empty. Please bring hearty soups

and peanut butter for North Fulton Community

Charities (NFCC) and Kosher foods for Jewish Family

& Career Services (JF&CS)

The need in our area is great.

Together we “can” make a difference!

Building Homes,

Building Lives

Volunteers Needed!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Breakfast and Lunch provided

Temple Beth Tikvah is partnering with Habitat for Humanity and

other faith communities in the area to help build a home in Canton,

Georgia for a needy family.

People from all walks of life are welcome to join us as we build a

simple, decent, affordable house in partnership with God and a

family in need. No construction experience or building skills is

needed. You will be trained. Volunteers are involved in most phases

of construction. By working side-by-side with the family who will live

in the house, our volunteers experience for themselves the joy

created when a family is able to realize their dream of home

ownership.

AGE REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS

A person must be 18 years of age or older.

If you cannot volunteer please consider making a donation to build

the house. It takes $62,000 to build the home. Any amount will be

appreciated.

To sign-up or to contribute please contact Darrin Cohen at

dcohen@wealthofga.com or call 678.739.0175.

In early August, you received an

e-mail from TBT announcing

our new partnership with

“Grapevine”. This was also

featured in a Kol Tikvah article

in the August edition. In late August, you received an e-mail

from “Grapevine” (www.grape-vine.com). Grapevine is a

Jewish community / social network platform (sponsored in part

by Jewish Federations and private funding) -- to engage our

members in the Jewish community and at TBT based on their

stated interests and passions. TBT is one of 4 synagogues in

Atlanta participating in the Grapevine pilot (at no cost to TBT

until after the pilot concludes). Please check your email for

Grapevine “goings on” in Atlanta, and take a moment to fill out

your profile on the Grapevine site. We are currently developing

a “work plan” for how we can most effectively leverage

Grapevine for the benefit of TBT members.

If anyone is interested in participating in this work plan

development, please contact Mark Rudel at 404-429-9289.

Connecting the right people

To the right opportunities

At the right time

11

THE RABBINIC SEARCH TRANSITION COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES:

MEET RABBI ALEXANDRIA SHUVAL-WEINER

The Rabbinic Transition Search Committee has invited Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner and

her husband, Jay Weiner, to visit and participate in an “immersion weekend” experience at

Temple Beth Tikvah on Friday, December 12th and Saturday, December 13th. Our goal is two-

fold: (1) to enable Rabbi Shuval-Weiner to meet as many members of the Temple Beth Tikvah

community as possible and likewise to enable as many congregants as possible to meet her and

(2) to have her observe our Shabbat minhag.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend as many Shabbat activities as possible to

help us welcome Rabbi Shuval-Weiner to TBT.

Friday, December 12:

9:45 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. ECEC Family Shabbat

10:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner leads a discussion over coffee and nosh with ECEC

parents. Religious School & Youth Group parents are also invited to attend.

12:00 P.M. -1:30 P.M. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner joins the Seniors Group for Lunch and lively discussion

6:15 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. Board of Trustees, Senior Staff and Youth Group Board Shabbat Dinner with

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and her husband, Jay Weiner

8:00 P.M. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner joins the Congregation for Erev Shabbat Services and comes

to the Bimah with Rabbi Tam and Cantor Kassel

Following Erev Shabbat Services, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner enjoys Oneg Shabbat with the Congregation

Please click here to RSVP by December 2nd for Erev Shabbat Services

Saturday, December 13:

9:00 A.M. - 9:45 A.M. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner teaches Bagels, Learning and Torah

10:00 A.M. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner joins the Congregation for Shabbat Services and comes to the

Bimah with Rabbi Tam and Cantor Kassel

Following Shabbat Morning Services, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner enjoys Kiddish Lunch with the Congregation.

Please click here to RSVP by December 2nd for the Kiddush lunch as we want to have enough food for all

2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner chats with TEENS over cocoa and cookies

Free babysitting will be available for children age 2 through 2nd grade.

Please click here to RSVP by December 2nd to register your child for babysitting

12

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Annual Campaign

Walter and Esther Shultz in memory of Ira Madans, Sylvia and Isidor

Goodman, and Judy Friedman, and in honor of TBT's consideration of

seniors for HHD services and offering parking spaces

Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Lenore Levy

Lynne and Tom Greenfield in memory of Ira Madans

Lisa and Douglas Weinbach in memory of Ira Madans

Linda Haskins in memory of Ira Madans

Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of Ira Madans

Sarlou and Jose Valles in memory of Ira Madans

Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Ira Madans

Susan and Bernie Eisenstein in memory of Ira Madans

William and Rita Loventhal in memory of Ira Madans

Debbie and Marc Andres in memory of Ira Madans

Goldenthal Family in memory of Barry Goldenthal

Leonard Berger in memory of Ira Madans

Martin and Charlene Milstein in memory of Ira Madans

Robert and Ellen Rickles in memory of Ira Madans

David and Robin Bledsoe in memory of Eli and Sadye Goldstein and

Harry and Gussie Raikin

Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Sarah Wixman

Anne Grossman in memory of Conrad Grossman, MD and Ira Madans

Walter and Esther Shultz in honor of Sheryl Blechner

Ellen Frank in memory of Barry Feinberg

Dr. Tod and Leslie Rubin in memory of Ira Madans

Lynn and Barry Eisenberg in memory of Ira Madans

Building Fund

Hadley and Lisa Lowy in memory of Ira Madans

Campership/Israel Fund

Peggy and Michael Freedman in memory of Ira Michael Madans

Walter and Esther Shultz in honor of Gene Carasick

Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund

William & Marjory Segal in memory of Muriel Sylvia Segal

Jason and Melanie Pickett in honor of Cantor Kassel

Kenneth and Helene Skolky in memory of Joseph Skolky

Michael and Wanda Cohen in memory of Gladys Cohen

Floyd and Barbara Shiffman in honor of Cantor Kassel

Carol Shutzberg in honor of Sid Cojac's 101st birthday

Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund

Susan and Larry Ellison in memory of Ira Madans

Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Lena Levinson

Walter and Esther Shultz in honor of Lois Malkin's special birthday

Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in memory of

Marsha Kaplan Balager

General Fund

Maxine and Gary Silverstein in memory of Ira Madans

Ellen and Leon Taranto in memory of Ira Madans

Michael and Carol Aarons in memory of Ira Madans

Janet and John Poelker in memory of Ira Madans

Leon and Judy Cohen in memory of Ira Madans

Scott and Robyn Barocas in memory of Ira Madans

Joseph and Carol Rubin in memory of Ira Madans

Howard and Pamela Levitt in memory of Betty Levitt

Renee Davis in memory of Elias Waxman

Vicki and Rael Grosswald in memory of Ira Madans

David and Suzanne Grosswald in memory of Ira Madans

Shirley Crawford

Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund

Jeffrey & Beth Kess in memory of Iris Naomi Kess and Ben Goldberg

Prayerbook Fund

Gordon and Hollis Decker in memory of Isadore Zierler

Mark and Sally Vosk in memory of Leonard Vosk

Mark and Sally Vosk in memory of Irving Vosk

Preschool Fund

Richard and Susan Orenstein in memory of Jason Orenstein and

Bernice Orenstein

Rabbi Greene’s Discretionary Fund

David and Anne Strauss in appreciation of Rabbi Greene for the

wonderful aufruf

Jason and Melanie Pickett in honor of Rabbi Greene

Terri Cohen in memory of Manuel Leff

Irv and Gail Laddin in appreciation of High Holy Day honor

Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Lawrence Gelb

Floyd and Barbara Shiffman in appreciation of Rabbi Greene

Nadine Duhaney and Omar Chevy

Anne Grossman in memory of Conrad Grossman, MD and Ira Madans

Andy and Marci Fried in memory of Ruth Fried

Robert and Adele Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons

Shirley Plotkin in memory of Henry Trucker

Eric and Victoria Stein in memory of Charlie Stein

Bernard and Rita Tuvlin in memory of Estelle Tuvlin

Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund

Ruth Zeidman in memory of Harris Mitchell Simons

Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Sylvia Kaiser

Religious School Fund

Fred and Patricia Landsberg in memory of Albert Landsberg

Nadine Duhaney and Omar Chevy

Fred and Patricia Landsberg in memory of Blossom Kanouse

Tikkun Olam Fund

June Wallach in memory of Blanche Hertzberg

Torah Fund

Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Leo Snitzer

Nadine Duhaney and Omar Chevy

Youth Group Fund

Steve and RoseAnn Gerson with prayers for strength and healing for

Gene Carasick

Donations

13

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

HELP US HELP YOU

Your synagogue community wants to be a

Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed

If you have recently experienced a loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha, please let our office know as soon as possible.

Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of support as best as they can. If you know of one of our fellow congregants who has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.

SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER

Thank You to our Amazing Office

Volunteers!

Marsha McMurrain

Addie Myers

June Wallach

Natine Rosenzweig

Richard Staviss

Terry Stein

Marsha Mathis

Joe Dunn

Frances Solomon

Karen Tuttle

Wryan Ward

Esther Shultz

Rhonda Povlot

Ellen Levitz

Honor a person or event

with a leaf on our tree of

life. You can purchase a

leaf as an individual or as

a group.!

Breast Cancer Survivor Group for the Jewish Community

We have had a great start to the Breast Cancer Survivor Group! The

monthly support group meetings are for all interested people who

have had cancer, who are going through treatment or surgeries, and /

or who have been recently diagnosed, as well as for those who might

have questions pertinent to breast cancer. In addition, this program

is for sharing experiences, meeting others and gathering information

regarding diagnoses, surgeries, and genetic testing from various

professionals.

Our next meeting will be held on

Thursday, December 11th at 7:00 PM

This survivor support group is sponsored by The Kehillat Chesed/

Caring Committee of Temple Beth Tikvah.

For further information or questions, please contact Valerie

Rapowitz at vrapowitzslp@yahoo.com or call 678-643-9672.

Please RSVP. All are welcome.

Chabad of Cobb

Congregation Etz Chaim

Congregation Ner Tamid

Temple Kehillat Chaim

Temple Beth Tikvah

Temple Kol Emeth

Hillels of Georgia – KSU

campus

Join Jewish Federation, MJCCA, TBT and

Cobb & North Fulton congregations for a

Community Chanukah Celebration.

Monday, December 22nd

starting at 7:00 p.m.

at Congregation Etz Chaim

1190 Indian Hills Parkway, Marietta, GA 30068

We will celebrate the 7th night of Chanukah with

plenty of fun, including:

Bring a gently used costume to send to our Israeli

partnership region of Yokneam-Megiddo for Purim.

This event is free of charge and

open to the community.

RSVPs are appreciated; contact Stephanie Wyatt at

swyatt@jfga.org or (404) 870-1625 to register.

Lighting the menorah

PJ Library storytelling

& craft

Israeli Music

Homemade sufganiyot

And, much more!

14

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Synagogue Information

Synagogue Office - 770-642-0434

Fax Number - 770-642-0647

School Office (Perri) - 770-642-4168

Preschool (Jenifer) - 678-350-0076

Assistant to Clergy - Michelle Leder

Financial Secretary - Jenny Korsen

Admin. Assistant - Lisa Singer

Office Manager - Becky Sullivan

Adult Education Cindy Getty eeg@comcast.net Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net

Campership Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com Chavurot Dalia Faupel d2faupel@comcast.net College Outreach Lynda Bennett lrbennett08@comcast.net Ginger Glazer ggchoc@bellsouth.net Communications

Marsha Mathis marmat0915@yahoo.com Family Promise Andy Fried andyf17@gmail.com Jeff Schultz asburypark@comcast.net Fundraising Jonathan Agin jlagin1@gmail.com

House Ted Nathan

tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com

Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com Interior Standards & Marketing Susan Estroff sestroff@earthlink.net

Israel Gene Carasick gcarasick@gmail.com Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net Membership Recruitment & Retention Mark Rudel

mrudel@ups.com Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Marcia Pearl marciapearl@bellsouth.net Men’s Club Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com

Nominating Committee Sheryl Blechner ssb1951@gmail.com Ritual Esther Shultz savtaesther5@gmail.com

Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Natine Rosenzweig rosen4348@aol.com Sisterhood Stacy Chambers sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Robin Bledsoe sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action

Darrin Cohen dcohen@wealthofga.com Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group Debra Schwartz dls63@bellsouth.net Michal Loventhal loventhalmichal@gmail.com

Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons

Planning a simcha or group gathering?

The Tam-Blank Social Hall is the Place to Be.

For more information on renting our Social Hall,

contact the synagogue office at 770-642-0434.

15

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

16

Fred Greene

Rabbi

Donald A. Tam

Rabbi Emeritus

Nancy Kassel

Cantor

Hassia Levin

Education Director

Jenifer Friedman

ECEC Director

Ron Swichkow

President

Todd Boehm

Vice President

Harlan Graiser

Vice President

Denise Straus

Vice President

Andy Gutman

Treasurer

Michael Braun

Secretary

Jill Mattos

Chairperson,

Board of Education