Message from the Rabbi (March 2010)

During a recent interview on CNN, author of the new book, Rediscovering Values, Rev. Jim Wallis, concluded his remarks by saying that a calendar and a budget are both moral documents.  Though I never though of time and money exactly in those terms, Rev. Wallis is absolutely right and although he professes a different faith than Judaism, his comments reflect Jewish values, customs, and teachings.   

 Think about how you spend your time and your money and what those choices say about you.  What we choose to do projects to our family and our friends what is important to us.  If we spend much of our time at work and very little time at home, then clearly work is more important than family.  If we spend virtually no time observing our faith, then that too is projected to those around us.   

 How we spend our money is a reflection of our values as well.  If we give to the art museum, then we are saying that art is something we value.  If we give to the theater, or to a university, or to an organization that provides research for a disease, then we are saying to the world that these are important to us.  If we support the synagogue, then we are projecting the importance and vital nature of the continuity of Judaism.  The products we purchase and the investments we make all say that we support the companies that make those products and the values they hold as well.  Whatever choices we make, make a definitive statement to our family, our friends, and the world around us.   

 Take a look at your calendar, whether it is old-school like mine, pencil written on paper, or high-tech, on one of those PDA or iPhones.  Look at how you spend your time and think about what it says about you.  Think about your budget, how and where you spend your discretionary money.  Think about what organizations and companies you support and what values they reflect.  Both your calendar and your budget are indeed moral documents and moral contracts that speak volumes about who you are.   

 Like me, many of you are involved in public service and helping others.  Many of you donate your time and give generously to support worthy causes within and outside the Jewish community.   The opportunities are endless but our time and resources are not, so we have to make such choices wisely.   

For the past several years, members of the Temple have participated in the Fullerton Area CROP Hunger Walk, which seeks to alleviate the issues of hunger and homelessness in our own community and around the world.  Though this event and those like it held across the nation, created and coordinated by Church World Service, many Jews participate and money raised does go to Jewish causes like MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.   

This year’s Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, April 25th beginning with registration at 12 noon on the Fullerton Plaza.  The goal is very ambitious: we seek to raise $100,000, making this the largest CROP Walk in California and among the largest in the nation.  This year’s walk has also been named in memory of Vi Jones, who together with her husband, Henry, have very generously supported the CROP Walk and many other causes for many years, and continue to do so.   

If you are able to walk, please join the Temple Beth Tikvah team for this important mitzvah to get to know our neighbors, to participate in a community event, and to raise money for FIES, MAZON, and other worthy organizations.  If you are unable to walk or unavailable that day, please consider making a donation of any amount (I do not want to detract from Project Legacy or Temple fundraising in any way) to help those locally and globally.  To register or to donate, go to www.churchworldservice.org and search for the Fullerton CROP Walk.  We will also have registration envelopes here at Temple in the next few weeks.  Remember, how you spend your time and your money is a moral statement of what is truly important and reflects your values and beliefs.

Kenneth Milhander

Message from the President (March 2010)

   As I sit at my computer composing this article I am having a bit of trouble staying focused. I keep switching back and forth to the live feed construction cam on our web site templebethtikvah.com. I am watching as the concrete for the footings of our new building are being poured. It has been six years since the concept for this project was first mentioned at Temple Beth Tikvah’s 40th anniversary gala celebration in 2004. I remember the exact moment that Lila Pesner stood up and  announced that she and her husband Stan wanted to donate the proceeds from the sale of their airplane ($117,000) to be used as seed money to explore the possibility of building a new school to replace our worn out and unsafe 50 year old temporary building. That one gift of generosity set in motion the beginning of Project Legacy and the Asa Center for Life-Long Jewish Learning.

What followed has been a seemingly endless string of meetings, committees, consultants, meetings, architects, meetings, contractors, meetings, fundraising, meetings, Town Hall meetings, Congregational meetings, planning meetings…and on and on. There have been disappointments, plan changes, and budget changes. But mainly there have been triumphs over any and all obstacles placed before us. I have watched as so many of you have been generous with your time, your commitment to the project and, of course, your money. There are a myriad of thanks that need to be expressed to so many and those thanks will be forthcoming.

I do want to express my gratitude to three people who, without their involvement, I truly believe this project would not have happened. First; thanks to Lila Pesner for her indefatigable perseverance, enthusiasm and belief in the importance of this project. Second; thanks to Henry Cohen for his unwavering belief in the value of this project, his grounding of our dream in reality, and his financial expertise and organizational skills. Third; Joe Bloomfield for his ability to get things done and for the many ways his skills and contacts have saved us money. But most of all for the way he has thrown his heart and soul into Project Legacy even at what has at times been a cost to his family and to his business. The entire Bloomfield family has been a blessing to TBT.

I know this is sounding like an article one might read after the completion of Project Legacy and I realize there is still much to do. However, our contractor has told us that the “full court press” is on and we should see major progress coming rapidly. Getting back to watching this unfold on our web site; today is truly an historical day for our Temple. We have gone “vertical.” We are no longer tearing down, disassembling, or digging. We are BUILDING!

How appropriate it is that the first part of Project Legacy being constructed will be the “Western Wall” portion of our Holocaust Memorial. At the very root of Project Legacy is the desire to fulfill our obligation to Jewishly educate our children, and our adults, so as to preserve our heritage and culture for the benefit of this generation and future generations. It is the right thing to do and we should all be proud to be a part of this mitzvah.

If you have not yet taken the opportunity to pledge to the completion of Project Legacy or our Holocaust Memorial, I once again ask you to consider doing so. A pledge in any amount or a small increase in an existing pledge will help to eliminate the remaining small deficit in our fundraising effort. More importantly, it will allow you to know that you and your family have been an integral part of TBT’s effort to ensure our successful future.

Greg Weitzman

ECLC News (February 2010)

In January each class explored, discovered and learned all about nature and especially trees. The two year old class explored texture and went on a barefoot walk. They felt the trees as well as smelled and ate different kinds of fruits in their very own homemade fruit salad. I can still see Owen Katz so proud of himself when he finally managed to use a little plastic knife and sawed his way through a pear. The three year old class learned all about what kinds of animals live in trees and how they survive. The use of drama is always a hit when it comes to this class. They love to act!!! The Pre -K class studied about the different kinds of trees there are. They also explored and pretended they were camp ing in the Yosemite Mountains taking pictures as Ansel Adams once did. They painted their own adaptation of some of Ansel Adams brilliant photography. The Kindergarteners studied how houses are made and how people from all over the world adapt their building of their homes by what kind of materials are around them in their enviroment; i.e. mud, trees, stone, brick, plant. You name it – it has been used. We finished the month of January celebrating Tu B' Shvat and being very grateful for all that trees as well as nature have provided for us. It is always so exciting when new things come and when we get to do or try new things. That is why I am so excited to announce that we have a new art teacher. Her name is Leslie Karst. She has studied fashion design at the Fashion Iinsitute of Design and Merchandising. She also completed many classes in the fine arts through Fullerton College. She comes with a love for children and is a great asset to our program. It has been a dream for Natalie Wirtzer to have an art studio where the children could be exposed to the wonderful world of art. To have the ability to have long term projects and to have the children totally immersed in all the mediums of art is such a delight. With this crazy world it is nice to have a beautiful place for the children to express themselves and now they do. I am looking forward to what our children can create.

Karin Cook

Religious School News (March 2010)

   It was a normal Wednesday afternoon, with students arriving for Hebrew School. One of the seventh graders was sitting in the chair across from my office, and I was standing nearby greeting the children as they gathered around and chatted. I flipped on the light switch, and the playful seventh grader reached up and turned it off. I turned it on again, and thus began a game between the two of us that included tickling, arm wrestling, tumbling on the floor, and a lot of laughter.   

The following day I was talking with another parent and she mentioned that her daughter had seen what went on the day before. The child’s comment was that I was the most “well- rounded” person she knew. I have never thought too much about how well-rounded I was (other than before joining Weight Watchers!), but the comment brought a smile to my face.    

My colleagues in the Jewish educational world are in constant dialogue about curriculum, textbooks, staff development, and other pedagogic subjects that make up the bulk of what we call “Jewish education.” While these areas are definitely high on the list of priorities, my philosophy of Jewish education has always been focused on building relationships between the children and those with whom they come in contact while here at our beloved TBT. Once a relationship is built, the students will be much more receptive to the “material” we seek to teach. In the few hours a week and the few years we have the students here in our classes, we can only scratch the surface of the myriad of subjects and the depth of all that Judaism has to offer. They can always pick up a book or search the internet later in their lives when they need an answer or want to dive into a particular subject. But the memories that become the foundation of their Jewish identity will be formed by the role models they meet as children. The informal time that the students spend talking to Jewish educators, discovering that we are “real” people who love our Judaism enough to want to spend the bulk of our time sharing it with others – that is what I want our children to remember as they leave at the end of their formal Jewish education.   

So, if “well-rounded” means that I can wrestle with a seventh grader, maybe what is really happening is that I am wrestling with God (or one of God’s creations) – the true meaning of yisrael. And when at the end of our game I embrace a child, maybe what is really happening is that I am embracing yisrael, God, and my Judaism. Whatever it is, literally or symbolically, there is nothing quite so precious in my life than to be a part of our Temple family, and to spend my days working and playing with our rich heritage.   

May the upcoming festival of Pesach, holiday that symbolizes our freedom from slavery, bring each of you and your loved ones a feeling of rebirth in embracing your own Judaism.

Miriam VanRaalte

Men's Club (March 2010)

We have MANY activities. Please come join us. MRJ MAN OF THE YEAR.  The event was on Sat, Feb 20, 2010 to honor Rabbi Milhander as TBT Men’s Club Man of the Year for 2010. It was a great honor and there were over 35 TBT members in attendance.

ANNUAL MEN’S CLUB SHABBAT. The service was held on Feb, 26. Thank you to all that participated and attended this very meaningful service. 

ANGELS BASEBALL GAME. Your Men’s Club is going to the Angels game on Wednesday, April 7th, at 7:05. We will be seated between home plate and 3rd. $30 ea. There are only a few tickets left out of 25. Come join us and have some fun.

SOFTBALL. The TBT Men’s Club softball team, named ????, has had several practices. If you are interested, please contact your officers. The plan is to play against other temple Brotherhoods.

YOUNG ADULT MEMBERSHIP (AGE 18-21). We are working on this concept.

NEW VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS.  Your Men's Club is also seeking new volleyball players for their Sunday morning get together at Mitch Shapiro's home. If anyone is interested, contact Michael Flashner, Neil Rosen, or Mitch Shapiro.

IN THE WORKS. We are currently working with the other Men’s Clubs in putting together a community service project that we can do together, as well as other activities which will be announced at a later time. 

MEMBERSHIP. We do a lot for TBT. If you are not a member, please come join us for some mitzvah doings, and some fun. We are about 70 members strong.

NEXT MEETING: Monday night, 3/1/2010, at 6:30pm at TBT. Please come join us for a little dinner and a little “bonding.” RSVP to Howard Brass, so we know how much food to provide (hmb.tbtmc@roadrunner.com).

    If you have any questions or comments, please talk with your Men’s Club officers: Mitch Shapiro, Howard Brass, or Mike Flashner. Or ask the Rabbi.

Mitchell Shapiro

Sisterhood (March 2010)

   I have been approached in the past few weeks by ladies expressing interest in joining Neshot Tikvah.  I want to assure you that it is never too late to join.  Lisa Barbarick our Membership VP or I can help you get the registration forms.  We always welcome newcomers at our board meetings and at events.

   I cannot believe how fast this year is going.  As a board we have made some great improvements and still have some works in progress that we should have complete by the time this fiscal year comes to an end.

   Two on-going projects that I am proud of are our Keep in Touch program and camperships.  Keep in Touch is spearheaded by Lori Katz and Penny Abramowitz who along with their committee send special packages to our college students three times a year.  Camperships are headed up by our Religious and Education VPs Denise Schwartz and Daphna Gutterman.  A new campership application has been drafted and the deadline for those is quickly approaching.  If you have a student entering grades 3-12 who is attending a Jewish camp this summer, be sure to turn in an application if you would like to be considered for this one time campership.

   In case you have not heard, Neshot Tikvah unanimously voted to support TBT’s Holocaust Memorial with a $12,500 donation.  We are proud and honored to be part of this amazing project.

   In February we had a great Tallit making workshop led by Miriam Van Raalte.  Miriam taught us how to tie the tzitzit and about some of the symbolism surrounding them.  It was a great time for all who attended.

   There are a few events coming up during the next few months.  Please put these dates on your calendar and plan to attend.

• April 25, 2010—Community Tea at Beth David in Westminster (more info to follow)

• May 2010 (Date TBA)—Woman of the Year event honoring Lisa Brass

• June 27, 2010—Pajama Party!!  Wear your PJs and bring a pair of PJs for a child up to 16 years.  We will make packages of pajamas, story books, and toiletries for needy children and then we will watch a movie and have snacks.  

MAZEL TOV TO LISA BRASS, OUR WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2010!!

Diana Reinstein