December 2014

Transcription

December 2014

Monthly Edition • Volume 77 No. 4
Adat Ari El Bulletin
Kislev/Tevet 5775 • December 2014
TheThe
Rose
Rose
andand
Edward
Edward
Engel
Engel
Music
Music
Commission
Commission
andand
TheThe
Nita
Nita
andand
Jack
Jack
Corinblit
Corinblit
Endowment
Endowment
forfor
thethe
Arts
Arts
present:
present:
2014/2015
2014/2015
Season
Season
Two
Great
Yiddish
Cantatas
“Di Naye Hagode,” Max Helfman’s great oratorio
about the heroes and heroines of the Warsaw Ghetto;
also “Oyb Nit Nokh Hekher” by Moishe Rauch –
This delightful cantata asks: Which is stronger,
the faith of the Hassid or the logic of the Litvak?
Friday Evening, December 5, 2014
Services: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Dinner: $25 per person
Program: 8:30 p.m.
Deadline: December 3rd
Collection Items
for December:
Canned Proteins
Stay
Connected
The services and concert are free to the public, reservations required. Please go to www.adatariel.org
and click on the flyer to attend the programs and make a reservation for the dinner.
If you are not already receiving it, make sure you sign up for the weekly “This Week @ Adat”
email, which is sent out every Friday. The email includes important information about service
times and upcoming events, 1as well as rabbinic commentary about the weekly Torah portion.
Email Dean Thomson at dthomson@adatariel.org to stay connected.
President’s Message
Rabbi’s Message
By Manny Aftergut
A reflection on the concept of
Tikkun Olam.
On December 25th, our Christian
friends and neighbors will gather to
celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. On
a theological level, Jesus’ miraculous birth is an attempt
to repair the damage done by the very first human
beings. Adam and Eve sinned and thereby tainted all of
humanity; Jesus is the vehicle for resetting the world.
In essence, with his life and death, Christians believe that
Jesus made tikkun...that is to say fixed the broken world
from the fall brought on by Adam and Eve. From this
perspective, the world was perfect, became marred, and
needed to be repaired.
There are many Jews who hold a similar belief...not about
Jesus, but about the concept of tikkun. While rejecting the
belief in a “fall,” many Jews hold that the world is broken, and
that the purpose of Jewish life is to bring tikkun—repair—to
that brokenness. One sees this, for example, in the mystical
work of Isaac Luria—the founder Lurianic kabbalah—who
spoke about the shattering of vessels containing divine sparks
that then got scattered around the world.
But, as with the Christian concept of the fall, this implies
that before the brokenness, there was a wholeness that
existed...a state of perfection from which we fell, that the
world, once better, has gotten worse, and now we have to
fix what we broke.
I disagree. I don’t believe the world was ever perfect or
whole. I like the verse in Genesis, chapter 1, verse 2, that
talks about how in the beginning everything was welter and
waste—or to put it simply, a hot mess. And God hovered
over that mess and called to it, and in responding to that
call, the world emerged into existence. And subsequently
all of life is just that, the unfolding of life from that welter
and waste of potentiality to actuality.
Hence, the world has no purpose except to be and,
therefore, no previous perfection to be regained.
From this perspective, tikkun is not about perfecting, but about
simply making better. It is the response that comes when we
realize that we can be vehicles for making this a more just and
compassionate world. It is about reaching for the possibilities of
the future and not harkening back to some idealized past.
When we engage in acts of tikkun, we are not making the
world whole again, but rather, we are bringing holiness
into our lives and into the lives of those around us. And
while I don’t believe humanity created the original mess, I
do believe we have the ability to make a difference in our
lives and in the lives of those around us.
CHALLENGE & DEDICATION
About 15 months ago, the Pew Research Center
published a report titled “A Portrait of Jewish
Americans.” The report not only took the Jewish world by storm, it
stimulated an abundance of commentary from the Jewish world as well
as the non-Jewish world.
The report was the first major survey of American Jewry in over ten years.
Among many other findings, the report disclosed that in that interval of
time, there was a significant rise—to over 20%—in the group of those who
do not “have a religion.” The size of this cohort and the direction of its
growth is concerning to the Jewish community, because more than 70% of
Jews in this group intermarry, and only 25% raise their children as Jews.
A few uplifting parts of the report are worth noting: 94% of Jews
say they are proud to be Jewish; 75% say they have a “strong sense
of belonging to the Jewish people;” and 70% remain “strongly” or
“somewhat” attached to Israel.
The Pew Report was sobering for all Jews who are concerned about the
future of American Jewry. The current state of American Jewry is a serious
concern for our clergy, our lay leadership, and for many of our members.
We must be willing to look at ourselves soberly, to insist on “running a
tight ship” businesswise, to innovate and be creative in our services, to reach
into our membership and assure ourselves that we are meeting the needs of
our members. If we find that we are not meeting their needs, we then must
commit to work effectively to understand our members’ needs and try to
meet them. If we do well by our efforts with our current members, I am
confident we will retain more of them and attract new members who wish
to be a part of a thriving Jewish community at Adat Ari El.
While there is much cause for worry and much that needs to be done,
I am confident that Adat Ari El can withstand the demographic and
cultural pressures that lie ahead. By working together, we have the
opportunity to be a harbor of Jewish living to those for whom that
is important. We are blessed with outstanding clergy, talented and
experienced professionals, passionate school parents, tireless lay leaders
and volunteers, and a membership that appreciates the spiritual,
educational, social, and tikkun olam opportunities offered by us in a
friendly and warm atmosphere.
On the evening of December 16th we begin our celebration of Hanukkah
by lighting the first of eight candles to commemorate the miracle of an
oil lamp that burned for eight days without replenishment. Another
miracle celebrated on Hanukkah is quintessentially American—a small
band of Jews led a successful uprising against a much larger force,
paving the way for Jewish independence and perhaps keeping Judaism
itself from disappearing. It’s an amazing story, resonant with America’s
own founding, that offers powerful lessons about standing up for one’s
convictions and challenging those in power.
May the underlying values of Hanukkah—dedication, action, and
purpose—inspire us to become the best Synagogue we can be.
Hag Hanukkah Sameach!
2
Fall Will Soon Turn into
Winter at the
Early Childhood Center
“Autumn is the eternal corrective.
It is ripeness and color and a
time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth,
and distance. What man can stand
with autumn on a hilltop and
fail to see the span of his world and
the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?”
–Hal Borland
What a wonderful way to describe the
preschool experience as expressed by the
quote above. At the time of this writing,
the fall holidays are over, and school is in
full session. The opening days and weeks of
preschool are a magical time for the children
as they take their first steps, gain their
footing in the new school year, and find their
foundation in comfort, safety, security, and
friendships.
When we look at the Early Childhood
Center at Adat Ari El, in THE NEST
(infant day care), Preschool, or Parent &
Me programs, we can see the expanse of
the world and the far horizon in the young
souls who enter our facility every day. The
children come to be welcomed and nurtured,
and as a result, they are able and ready to
learn, to explore, to investigate, and to
create. Our Jewish Reggio Emilia-inspired
curriculum philosophy helps to promote the
concept that skills of well-being (positive
emotion, engagement with what one is
doing, a sense of accomplishment, and good
relationships) are necessary to be included in
education.
A new preschool class for two-year-olds
will be opening in January 2015, and we
are excited to watch our youngest children
experience the joy of being part of our warm
and welcoming community of learners.
HESED COMMITTEE
Adat Ari El prides itself on providing many services and programs for its
members and the community. One of these, of which I am most proud, is
called the Hesed Committee, of which I have been Chairperson since 2009.
The Hesed Committee is comprised of a group of individuals who reach
out to our members to offer support and condolences during life-cycle and
difficult times. We contact members when they or a family member are ill
or when they’ve recently lost a loved one. We also connect with members to
congratulate them on a simcha such as the birth of a baby or a wedding.
We also reach out to members who are in need of other services, such as
getting meals during the Shivah period, working with the Sisterhood to set up
chairs for a Shivah, and assisting our older or disabled members to get to the
Synagogue on High Holydays and Shabbat.
One of the things of which I am most proud is our visiting the sick. This
is one of the oldest and most powerful traditions of Judaism. We learn
from the Talmud that a sick person is at his most vulnerable, spiritually and
physically, and that is the time he may thirst for human contact, a phone call,
or a visit.
Please feel free to contact me if I can provide more information for you or any
of your family members. I can be reached at (818) 501-0133 or at my email
address, alan@alandwallace.com.
Alan D. Wallace
Chairperson, Hesed Committee
Dear Temple Family,
For the 62 years of our Temple membership, Adat Ari El has been our
extended family. You have shared our simchas and our sadness with love and
kindness. Again, you are there as I struggle with the loss of my Sidney after 68
years together. My family joins me in thanking you for the many cards, calls,
messages and donations in his memory.
Dotty Simmons
Dear Friends,
Gloria and I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support
during this past summer. We know many of you made generous contributions
in our honor and we are truly blessed to be part of such a caring community.
We are very appreciative and humbled by this outpouring of support.
Thank You
Gloria and Patrick
3
CONFIDENCE
adat 36
Celebrates
adat ari el labowe family day school
Come see what’s new
www.aaedayschool.org
open house:
January 25th
YEARS
follow us on
@AAEDaySchool
Hap py Hanukkah Hap py
Hanukkah Happy Hanukkah
Hanukkah Happy Hanukkah
Han u k k ah
Hap p y
Hanukkah
Hanukkah
HappyHappy
Hanukkah
4
B’nai Mitzvah
NEWS FLASH!
December 2014
December 20, 2014
Francesca Davis
daughter of
Gabrielle & Jay Davis
Sisterhood Tributes
are now online!
Show people you care!
December 20, 2014
(Mincha)
Charlotte Kramon
Daughter of
Jennifer Gwartz &
Josh Kramon
You can access the page through the
“This Week at Adat”
Friday afternoon email.
Or you can go to Sisterhood on the
Adat Ari El website (www.adatariel.org).
December 27, 2014
Julian Bertet
Son of
Wendy Shapero & Jean-Claude Bertet
Sign up for all the Tribute Cards
you would like us to send.
Louis Jay Lembeck
son of Natalie and Sam Lembeck;
brother of Miles.
It’s so easy to show people you care
with a Sisterhood Tribute Card!
A minimum $3.00 donation to
Sisterhood is all it takes
for your name to be included
on a group card.
Rana Lynn Samuels
wife of Yanai Ofram; mother of Avigayil, Talia, Benyamin
and Raya; daughter of Zachary and Elana Samuels; niece of Sandy
and Claudia Samuels
Marty Krevitz
father of Barbie (Isaac) Bernato, Rosiland Press and Sharon Woloz;
grandfather of Mikayla and Aiden Bernato, Lance (Laura) Press
and Kami Press; great-grandfather of Matthew and Rachel Press
A minimum $5.00 donation to
Sisterhood is all it takes
for a personalized card to be sent.
Stanley Stavis
husband of Janet Stavis; father of Richard (Alison) Stavis,
Gail (Stephen) Silver and Susan Stavis; grandfather of Jason,
Matthew, Ian, Rachel and Chloe; brother-in-law of
Manny Kaplan and Eileen Pearl.
For further information, contact Susie Katz
(818) 995-0345 or skatz@dslextreme.com.
5
The Gift Gallery at Adat Ari El
All profits from The Gift Gallery support our Synagogue and Schools!
Get ready for Hanukkah!!!!
Come see our selection of:
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Baby Gifts, Candles, Candlesticks, Challah Boards/Trays
Children's Books, Dreidels, Etrog Boxes, Greeting Cards
Jewish Cookbooks, Hamsas, Hanukkah Menorahs
Havdalah Sets, Honey Dishes, Jewelry, Judaica Books
Kiddush Cups, Kippot, Mezuzot, Miriam and Elijah Cups
Seder Plates, Shofarot, Sukkah Decorations, Tallit, T'fillin
Unique Giftware and much more.
Registries available for B'nai Mitzvot, Weddings and other Occasions.
Gift Gallery Phone: (818) 980-3282.
To make a Special Appointment with Beverly Barak
about the Gift Registry, please call (818) 789-6377.
Mastercard, VISA, Discover and American Express accepted.
Courtesy Gift Wrapping (not on sale items).
Sisterhood Members receive a 10% discount.
Gift Gallery Volunteer Staff receive a 20% discount.
B'nai Mitzvah receive a 20% discount on their selected Tallit.
6
7
WAS YOUR CHILD BORN BETWEEN
JUNE 2004–DECEMBER 2005?
If so, you should have received a letter and questionnaire from
Cantor Bigeleisen requesting information about your child for our
2017–2018 B’nai Mitzvah Program. If you have not yet received this letter and
questionnaire, please let us know as soon as possible so your child’s
name can be included in our database. Call Boni Gellis in the Rabbinic office
at (818) 755-3480 ext. 222 to let us know.
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Friday Night Lectures
“Another View of the Pew”
Dr. Jennifer Thompson
of CSUN challenges
the commentary on
the Pew Study of
American Jewry.
Friday, December 12th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm ($20.00)
Speaker: 8:00pm
Sign up for dinner at
www.adatariel.org
9
Abraham's Tent: Projects by the
Numbers
ADAT ARI EL IN ACTION
�
A huge thank you to the entire Adat Ari El community for the generosity of your donations, your time,
and your spirit. Here are some numbers so you can see what we've accomplished so far this year:
Mitzvah Day 2014
Shoes That Fit
•
162 paper shoes given out at Yom Kippur
•
•
128 pairs of shoes returned by congregants
200 backpacks packed for HopeMill to distribute to the
homeless
•
1 Tent of Hope painted for Jewish World Watch
$425 that Valley Ruach raised serving breakfast
•
$840 in donations received for Shoes That Fit
•
•
60 Hanukkah cards made for Project M.O.T.
•
$670 of these donations used to purchase remaining
shoes (balance of monetary donations will go to LA Family
Housing to purchase shoes for new families, as needed)
•
Over $200 raised by the Day School Hanukkah
candle-making project
•
1,000 PB&J sandwiches made and delivered to various
organizations in the Valley, Los Angeles, and Santa
Monica
•
Almost $600 raised by USY to duct tape Rabbi Bernhard
to the wall
•
112 Thanksgiving bags packed for SOVA by the ECC
•
...and more!
•
162 pairs of shoes delivered to LA Family Housing and
Aviva Center
None of this would be possible without all of you. Again, thank you for supporting Abraham's Tent.
For additional information or to volunteer, please email: abrahamstentaae@gmail.com.
A BIG Happy Birthday
to our long-�me
Adat Ari El member,
BEN WEISEL
10
Your lifestyle
continues
here.
INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES
�� Vesper Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA ��
Call today for a personal tour
and complimentary lunch.
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SRGseniorliving.com
RFCE ��
EDEN CEMETERY
SPACES AVAILABLE
Adat Ari El has spaces available
in a special section at reduced member rates.
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Current prices will not last long.
If you are interested in purchasing space(s),
please contact: Ernie Goodman at (818) 788-1420
or Alan Altschul at (818) 522-6081
11
PERIODICALS
Postmaster: Please send address changes to:
12020 Burbank Boulevard
Valley Village, California 91607-2198
(818) 766-9426 Fax (818) 505-9223
Published Monthly During the School Year
Design by Galileo Graphics
Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard
Assistant Rabbi Deborah Silver
Rabbi Emeritus Moshe J. Rothblum
Cantor Ira S. Bigeleisen
Associate Cantor Judy Dubin Aranoff
Rabbi Aaron M. Wise
Cantor Allan Michelson
Manny Aftergut, President
Michal Lesner, Executive Director
Adat Ari El is affiliated with
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Adat Ari El is on the Internet...
our website address is:
www.adatariel.org.
Rabbi Bernhard’s address is:
RabbJJB@AdatAriEl.org
Rabbi Silver’s address is:
RabbiDeborah@AdatAriEl.org
Friday, December 5, 2014
6:00 p.m................................. Kabbalat Shabbat
Candle Lighting - 4:26 p.m.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
9:30 a.m......................... David Familian Chapel
Parsha & Torah reading:...................Vayishlach;
Genesis 34:1-35:15
Darshan:...........Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard
9:30 a.m......................... David Familian Chapel
Parsha & Torah reading:.................... Vayeshev;
Genesis 38:1-38:30
Darshan:................................... Bennett Spiegel
Daily Minyan Deiber Chapel
The Bulletin (USPS 661-900) is published monthly by
Adat Ari El, located at 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village, CA 91607-2198.
Phone: (818) 766-9426, ext. 209 Fax (818) 505-9223 email: DThomson@AdatAriEl.org.
Adat Ari El is a non-profit organization
Total requested circulation averages 850 copies monthly
Periodicals paid at North Hollywood, CA
POSTMASTER – Send address changes to:
Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village, CA 91607-2198
9:30 a.m............................................. Sanctuary
Bat Mitzvah:.............................Francesca Davis
Parsha & Torah reading:......................... Miketz;
Genesis 41:53-43:15
Darshan:................................. Robert Oberstein
Tot Shabbat @ Adat for ECC-aged
children will be held at 9:30 a.m. on
December 6th beginning with 9:30 a.m.–
10:15 a.m. services in the David Familian
4:00 p.m............................................. Sanctuary
Mincha Bat Mitzvah:............. Charlotte Kramon
9:30 a.m............................................. Sanctuary
Bar Mitzvah:....................................Julian Bertet
Parsha & Torah reading:..................... Vayigash;
Genesis 45:28-46:27
Darshanit:........................ Rabbi Deborah Silver
Chapel and concluding with snack and
play time from 10:15 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Shabbat Mishpacha, a family service
designed for anyone who wants to eat
dinner and celebrate Shabbat in a fun,
musical, relaxed family atmosphere, will
be held on December 19th at 7:00 p.m. in
Russell Hall (preceded by dinner and an
activity at 6:00 p.m.).
Mornings Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m.
Sundays & Holidays 9:00 a.m.
Evenings Sunday - Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
12

December 2014

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