Message from the Rabbi (January 2012)

It was my honor (along with Miriam, Lila, Howard and Lisa Brass,
Diana Reinstein, and my daughter Leah) to represent you last month at the
71st Biennial Convention of the Union for Reform Judaism in Washington,
DC.  I have attended several of these conventions before and each one is
memorable, inspirational, and special in its own right, but I have to say that this one was
uniquely amazing and incredible.  Of course, the number one reason for this was the presence of
the President of the United States, Barack Obama, the first time in the over 135 year history of
the URJ (formerly the Union of American Hebrew Congregations) that a President has
addressed the plenum.  Also in attendance were Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, former
Soviet Refusnik Natan Sharansky, Founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Nancy
Brinker, and attorneys Ted Olsen and David Boies (who were on opposite sides of Bush v.
Gore but who have now joined forces to defeat Proposition 8).  The over 6,000 delegates and
guests also experienced inspirational and moving Shabbat services, musical presentations, and
sermons by retiring URJ President Rabbi Eric Yoffie and President-elect Rabbi Rick Jacobs.  
 
 The greatest feeling of the Biennial is the presence of so many people who are just like
me.  Hundreds of rabbis, cantors, and Jewish educators and professionals all in one room with
thousands of our fellow Reform Jews – together we celebrated our history and remarkable
accomplishments, renewed our commitment to Israel, tzedakah, and tikkun olam, and forged a
pathway for the future which will include an intense focus on teens and youth engagement.  If
you want to see any of the speeches or read the plans for the future, everything Biennial is
available on the URJ website: www.urj.org.  
 
 The hardest part of attending the Biennial every two years is having to come home and
face the challenges of the budget, staff and personal limitations, and congregational apathy.  I
come back so inspired, so uplifted, so incredibly optimistic with ideas swimming around my
head, but when I get back to work, reality sets in.  It is thus my challenge to sift through all
those experiences I had and all those things I learned and to find a few new things to implement
in our congregation.  
 
 Judaism is one of a very few if not the only religion that has a peoplehood component
along with it.  We speak of the Jewish People, not just the Jewish religion.  When you belong to
a synagogue, the only Jewish institution that makes Jews, you also pledge your support to Jews
around our nation and around the world.  Temple Beth Tikvah is also a member of the URJ
because by belonging we pledge our support to and stand up for our most sacred values: the
equality of all Jews and all people, personal integrity, responsibility, and autonomy, and an
unshakable commitment to Israel the land and Israel the people.  
 
We are a big tent movement and of course there are a variety of opinions on many
issues, but our core values will always remain central and sacred to who we are.  There is no
greater feeling than feeling bigger and more powerful than who you are as an individual. 
Belonging to a synagogue and in turn that synagogue belonging to the Reform Movement gives
me that incredible sense of accomplishment and connection not just to Judaism but to our
fellow Jews around the world.  I hope you share my feelings now or in the coming year, or will
commit to seeking out those experiences that will strengthen your connection to TBT, the URJ,
and k’lal Yisrael.

Kenneth Milhander

Message from the President (January 2012)

For many of us, we associate the month of
January with the big event; New Year’s
Eve.   And many of us see the occasion as
an opportunity to unwind, relax, and celebrate with friends and
family, knowing that a new year is ahead and it is soon back to
our regular routine.  Others may use this as a quiet time or
respite.   In any case, we are social creatures. And we need
occasions for fun interaction,   pure enjoyment, or time to
recharge.
 
But we are also more than this. There is a part of us that craves
meaning and substance. Without these aspects in our lives,
having fun is temporal. It lacks depth. Alone, it leaves us empty.
And empty, it ultimately makes us alone. 
 
It is for this reason that every year at this time, I reflect on the
nature of the secular New Year in contrast to Rosh Hashanah. 
And I question what can be learned by comparing and
contrasting the two dates.
 
The line that I find most telling is one I heard years ago and still
value: While the secular world measures time and kills it,
Judaism cherishes time and sanctifies it. This says a great deal
about our often conflicting values as Jews in the modern world.
As human beings, we tend to be too obsessed with time.  To
illustrate, I know that I would find it very difficult to be without
a watch. And as an attorney, I sometimes feel that I need a
"decade-at-a-glance" calendar.
 
This is my modern, secular side reacting to the pressures of the
world around me. But then there is the Jewish part of me which
reminds me to stop, to step back once in a while and appreciate
life. Such was the case every Shabbat as a little boy.  My
grandmother lived with us.  And   Shabbat gave us the
opportunity not to do, but simply to be. Likewise on Rosh
Hashanah, when we are expected not only to celebrate, but to
begin (or actually, to continue) a period of reflection and soul-
searching with the goal of ultimately making ourselves better
Jews and better human beings. 
 
On January 1st, we often make resolutions that, by February 1st
are all but forgotten. On Rosh Hashanah, we are encouraged to
participate in true repentance.  And if taken seriously, this can
truly change and improve us. 
 
Likewise, In January we say "Happy New Year." But in Tishri,
we wish each other a "Shana Tova," a "Good Year."   But what
is good is not always happy. And at times, our struggles and
turning inward is what truly leads to growth. Being happy is
important.  But it is not our ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal
should be to achieve a sense of peace, wholeness and well-
being. 

So, as we begin this new secular year  of 2012, let's allow
ourselves to have fun. But let's also take a page from our Jewish
tradition and make this a time of reflection and desire for
improving ourselves and the world around us. Then we will
have a truly good year. 
 
Phyllis and I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.


 
 

Ben Berkley

ECLC News (January 2012)

I was given three of the best Chanukah gifts this year! The first was a visit from a previous student. He was such a delightful boy when he was my student 18 years ago. Yes, I did say 18 years. I was so excited to see all that he had done in his life so far - to see him strong and handsome and yet still so humble and polite. We chatted for awhile and then he came into my kindergarten class and I thought he would say good-bye but (the mench that he was, and still is,) he sat down and read his favorite Chanukah story to the children and then proceeded to play dreidel with them. I was so impressed with his kindness and so touched that he would want to come and visit me after 18 years. Jacob, thank you for the gift of yourself."

The second, gift came from Josh Woolery, the father of two sons that were and are now currently enrolled in E.C.L.C. He made a gorgeous wrought iron Chanukah menorah … I do not have words to describe the beauty of his work. His sister also brought three sweet girls through E.C.L.C. as well and the love was shown for the school in such a wonderful way. We have the Chanukah menorah on display at E.C.L.C. or you may also see it displayed up in the new building. It is a precious gift of love we will always have and use each year and be reminded of how awesome it is to be loved. Thank you, Josh, for the work of your hands.

The third and final gift was the two performances that our children gave to the seniors in our congregation. They practiced for weeks expecting nothing in return but knowing that they we were performing mitzvot for others. It gave me such confidence that these young souls will grow to be just as kind as Jacob. Thank you E.C.L.C. students for all your hard work. These gifts are so precious and I am so humbled to have been given them. These are gifts that will last a lifetime. They inspire me to look forward to what is in store for me in the coming year.

Karin Cook

Religious School News (January 2012)

   I just returned from an invigorating five days
at the biennial convention of the Union for
Reform Judaism (URJ). There were many
highlights to the convention, which I hope to
translate into action in the weeks and months
ahead. However, I am most excited about the
URJ’s recognition of the need to address the
need of engaging our youth in order to assure a
Jewish future.
   The following is a summary of the URJ’s new “Campaign for
Youth Engagement.” Your involvement here at TBT and in a
broader sense will serve to strengthen our commitment to our
children, who are the future leaders of our Jewish community.
 
 Why is the Reform Movement embarking on this
Campaign? 
Our communities are full of dedicated and creative lay people
and professionals who successfully engage youth and families.
And yet, we know that if current trends continue in our
congregations, approximately 80% of the children who become
Bar/Bat Mitzvah will have no connection of any kind to their
Jewish community by the time they reach 12th grade. We need to
better understand why far too often, youth and their families feel
it is not worth their time and money to stay engaged in Jewish
life. 
 
What is the goal? 
The URJ plans to dramatically improve the ability of Reform
institutions to involve young people in meaningful Jewish life
and strengthen post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah engagement and retention
in synagogues, day schools, camps, and youth programs
throughout North America. 
 
How will they accomplish this? 
The Campaign will utilize the breadth and depth of relationships
that exist within the Reform Movement—its congregations and
its numerous governing bodies—and bring to bear the full
commitment of talent and resources of the Movement. 
 
How can you help?
See "Get Involved" on the URJ website (www.urj.org) to learn
how you can support the Campaign, and email the URJ at
youthengagement@urj.org to participate.
 
Each of us has a responsibility to continue the chain of tradition
from past generations to the future.

Miriam Van Raalte

Men's Club (January 2012)

NEXT MEMBERSHIP
MEETING: Second Monday night,
1/9/2012, at 6:30pm at TBT. Please RSVP
to Tom Green, membership, at
puttering@dslextreme.com.
MEMBERSHIP. Our current MEMBERSHIP count is 75.
We do a lot for the Temple. If you are not a member, please
come join us for some Mitzvah doings, and some fun.
MEMBERSHIP FEES.
College Student * ........................................ FREE
Under 30 * ................................................... FREE for the
First Year
$18 per year until age 30
Over 30 * .................................................... $54 per year
You or a family member must be a member of TBT.
NEW PROGRAMS. PLEASE
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
SuperBowl Party, Feb 5th, at TBT
Man of the Year, March 3rd, Sat Eve
FOOD TO FIES. Your Men’s Club is doing its part to
ensure that TikKun Olam is alive and well at TBT. We have
been working with a local market to deliver excess food to
FIES. Just recently we added another market. So, now twice a
week we deliver food to FIES to help feed the needy.
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 any one is
interested, contact Michael Flashner, Neil Rosen, or Mitch
Shapiro.
WEB SITE. Please check out our section at
www.templebethtikvah.com.
If you have any questions or comments, please talk with your
Men’s Club Officers: Michael Flashner, Greg Spalter or
ask the Rabbi.

Mitchell Shapiro

Sisterhood (January 2012)

Neshot Tikvah's Religious Practices committee has been working on the upcoming
Sisterhood Shabbat Service scheduled for Friday, January 20, 2012. Services begin at
7:30 PM. This service is conducted by women of the congregation and everyone is
welcome to attend. It is traditional for Neshot Tikvah to recognize the many wonderful
contributions from our female congregants during this service. We hope that you and
your family can join us in celebrating this wonderful simcha!
In order to make this service meaningful, we need active participation. We would like
to invite and encourage you to participate. There are English readings, as well as
opportunities to lead the congregation in familiar prayers. If you would like to
participate, please let us know if you like to read English or Hebrew part by
Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

Diana Reinstein