August Services

August 2011 | Vol. 23, No. 12 | Av/Elul 5771
August Services
Thursday, August 4
Shacharit Morning Minyan 7:45 am
Saturday, August 6
Tot Shabbat 9:30-10:30 am
Led by Rabbi Latz & Shana Eisenberg
Shabbat Services 10:30 am
Led by Rabbi Simon & Shana Eisenberg
Thursday, August 11
Shacharit Morning Minyan 7:45 am
Friday, August 12
Shabbat Services 8:00 pm
Led by Rabbi Latz, Helen Kivnick & Gary
Gardner
Thursday, August 18
Shacharit Morning Minyan 7:45 am
Friday, August 19
Shabbat Services 6:30 pm
Led by Rabbi Latz & Gayle Zoffer
Thursday August 25
Shacharit Morning Minyan 7:45 am
Friday August 26
Shabbat Services 8:00 pm
Led by Rabbi Latz and Jane Newman
Saturday August 27
Shabbat Services 10:30 am
Led by Rabbi Latz and Jane Newman
Bar Mitzvah of Max Taylor
Participants in the
adult education
retreat engage
in text study.
Lifelong Learning at Shir Tikvah
L
earning is essential in Judaism. In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Ancestors)
we learn:
“The world is supported by three things: study, prayer, and good deeds.”
Just as we Jews are expected to pray and to work to make the world a
better place, so too are we commanded to engage in study.
The Lifelong Learning Taskforce is actively engaged in the process of
congregational “visioning.” This dedicated group of members is pursuing
what is at the core of learning in order to help us shape the future of
learning for our congregation.
Photo by Chris Geller
Members of Shir Tikvah, wearing
T-shirts that say “Shir Tikvah:
Praying for Justice, Working for
Equality,” march in the Twin
Cities Pride Parade on June 26.
I am excited to see the arrival of a new school year on the horizon.
Religious School and Hebrew School begin in September, there will be a
series of classes during the month of Elul (the month preceding the High
Holy Days), and Wendy Goldberg, Rabbi Latz and I will teach a number of
classes, including the new “Radical Amazement: A Vibrant Judaism of the
Heart, Mind, and Soul” on Sunday mornings.
Adult Education student Chris Bargeron says, “No matter your background or
experience, Shir Tikvah has a place for you to continue your Jewish learning.”
I hope you will join us on a lifelong Jewish learning journey.
Rabbi Simon
More comments on lifelong learning are continued throughout this issue.
From our
Senior Rabbi...
“We grow as Jews and spiritual adults in every stage
of our lives. We need an educational program and
infrastructure that supports and edifies this learning.”
“Give your heart to learning,”
invites the Talmud.
What does it mean to give one’s
heart to learning?
Our sages teach that it means
keep our minds and hearts open
to learning from everyone in all
situations; every moment is an
opportunity to engage the deepest
promptings of our soul and discern
God’s presence in our lives.
As Shir Tikvah, we learn in a variety
of ways: In classes, during services,
on retreats, at the beginning of
meetings.
Since Rabbi Simon joined us one
year ago, we’ve asked this question
of everyone in our community: What
does quality, inspiring, engaging,
transformative lifelong Jewish
learning look like across the life
span?
Rabbi Simon’s title is intentional:
“Director of Lifelong Learning.”
Why? Because we understand that
our great spiritual questions, known
as our grand Jewish quest, are not
resolved when one becomes a bar or
bat mitzvah.
Rather, we grow as Jews and
spiritual adults in every stage of
our lives. We need an educational
program and infrastructure that
supports and edifies this learning.
Tikvah is devoted to lifelong Jewish
learning. I am especially inspired
by the work of Rabbi Simon and the
Lifelong Learning Taskforce.
Together, along with the
congregation, they are considering
how we create outstanding Jewish
learning in our congregation. I look
forward to sharing in the fruits of
their labor in the months ahead.
Keep your hearts open to learning.
Who knows what great spiritual
treasure we may discover?
L’shalom,
I am delighted this issue of Kol
From our Music Director
I love the Mishkan T’filah prayer book. I
love the choice of many interpretations
of prayers and see it as a choose-yourown-adventure type of prayer book.
I rarely stay on the same page as the
congregation during an entire service
because I’ve wandered to some
random page and been lost in the
prayers I’ve found, which inevitably
speak to me.
I wonder: How can I help you wander
off the page and into prayers that speak
to you? How can you help make this
book a living, breathing document
that can inspire you differently each
time you open it? These are the central
questions that guide my teachings
in b’nei mitzvah lessons, morning
minyan, and adult education classes.
During the past year, b’nei mitzvah
families—both from the adult class
and the 7th-grade group—wanted
help understanding the flow of Shir
Tikvah services. It seemed that when
we change melodies week-to-week,
some people experience each new tune
2
as an entirely new
prayer, rather than
different versions
of the same one.
In May I taught a
“Singing through
the Siddur” class
Wendy Goldberg
to address these
questions. Going
through the outline of a typical service
opened a gateway to understanding
that students found helpful. Many
people purchased their own siddur
(prayer book) in which they can
earmark pages of inspiration.
Students also studied the system of
vowels and accents that Mishkan T’filah
uses to help readers know where
Hebrew words are accented and where
pronunciation shifts. We also learned
where and why the choices of liturgy
get made.
In our Hebrew School t’filah (prayer)
sessions, the students take turns
leading various parts of an evening
service. There are always related
activities included in our communal
time, such as Israeli dancing and
“voting with your feet” about topics.
We always want the participants to
leave with something new, such as
information, insight, or melodies.
Our students have begun requesting
reprises of some of the activities, and
the adults who have participated seem
to leave energized by the experience.
Next year, Rabbi Simon and I will be
teaching the structure of a service in
Hebrew School t’filah. Parents and
members of the congregation are
encouraged to participate.
We’ll meet from 6:00-6:30 pm on
Wednesdays. You are welcome to
purchase a weekday siddur so that
you can mark favorite prayers, write
in your own, or draw something that
inspires you. You can flag the prayer
you want to return to at another time.
I hope all of these experiences promote
access to deeper prayer experiences
and deeper learning.
From our Director of Lifelong Learning...
“Jewish learning can be
very powerful,” writes Isa
Aron in the book Becoming
a Congregation of Learners.
“When learning is active
and engaging, when it is
offered in an environment
that is welcoming and
supportive, it can enrich
people’s lives and ignite
their interest in Judaism.
In the context of a
synagogue, it can serve as
a catalyst for change.”
One of the most powerful
lifelong learning
moments from this past
year occurred for me at
the Capitol during the
debate on the Marriage
Amendment.
As Shabbat drew to a close,
members of Minnesota’s
Jewish community
gathered together in the
rotunda to sing the words
“One of my most powerful lifelong-
learning moments from this past year
occurred at the state Capitol during the
debates on the Marriage Amendment.
”
of havdalah, separating
Shabbat from the week. It
was a moving image: b’nei
mitzvah students, longtime synagogue members,
legislators and their staffs,
and community rabbis, all
swaying together.
Above us, other supporters
gathered around the
balcony, standing in
solidarity with the Jewish
community.
We were living Judaism in
those moments, just as we
had been living Judaism
when we sat in the gallery
or listened to the testimony
New leadership for Judaica shop
For over 15 years, Wendy Morris has voluntarily
managed the Shir Tikvah Judaica Shop.
She has attended to our shopping needs, making sure
that we are well stocked with candles, mezuzot, and a
myriad of other Judaic items.
Thank you, Wendy, for a job well done and greatly
appreciated!
Wendy is turning over the shop duties to Laura
Detloff, who joined Shir Tikvah a couple of years ago
and has already been working with Wendy on the
transition.
Watch for a fall sale and online purchasing
opportunities.
Laura is interested in hearing from you about what
you would like to have available in the Judaica Shop
in the future.
She can be reached via email at lmdetloff@gmail.com.
via close-circuit TV. We
were living Judaism as we
sang songs of peace, met
people from other faiths
and spoke out in support
of the values of inclusion.
As we were preparing the
final havdalah blessing,
the security guard came
over and told us that open
flames were not allowed
in the building; we quickly
put out the candle while
offering the blessing for
the separation between the
ordinary and the holy.
ordinary became holy.
We were able to see
our students take their
knowledge of the havdalah
service and apply it as a
part of a protest.
We were able to see people
who wouldn’t consider
stepping foot into another
synagogue link arms
with Jews from around
the state. We saw nonJews experience Jewish
worship for the first time
and connect through the
melody we sang.
In this ordinary yet holy
setting we were able to
bridge what divides us for
a very holy and powerful
moment of Jewish
learning.
That evening was a
moment when the
News about Religious School
and Hebrew School
Shir Tikvah will be having a back-to-school picnic for
school-age children and their families on Wednesday,
August 31, from 5:30-7:00 pm at Lynnhurst Park in
Minneapolis.
Religious School begins on Sunday, September 11, at 9:30
am, with an opening celebration for students and their
families.
Hebrew School begins on Wednesday, September 14, at
4:30 pm and 6:00 pm (note new start time). Both sessions
will come together for t’filah from 6:00-6:30 pm. Families
are invited to participate in T’filah each week.
Check out the lifelong learning section of the Shir
Tikvah website at http://www.shirtikvah.net/
LifelongLearning. On it you can find our school year
calendars, school information, and pictures of our
students.
3
Reflections on Jewish Learning
T
he text messages, Facebook posts, and emails fly. It’s a Thursday morning in late June, and seven 13-year-olds
and their parents try to coordinate getting the kids to the synagogue for the Friday night service celebrating
the b’nai mitzvah of two classmates.
There are siblings to shuffle, rush hour traffic to contend with, work schedules to adjust, championship baseball
games and soccer games conflicting, but the only place our kids want to be is at Shir Tikvah for Friday night services
with their classmates and friends—even though Religious School has been out for over a month.
As another parent and I muse, there are worse places for the kids to be on a Friday night. And isn’t that exactly
what we wanted when we signed them up at Shir Tikvah?
So, despite the logistical challenges, we make it all work out and kvell that our kids cherish their Jewish friends and
their connection to their Jewish life at Shir Tikvah.
Why do I tell you this story? Because as a mother of three kids, having grown up active in Jewish life, Jewish youth
groups, and Jewish education, I wanted nothing more for my kids than to embrace their Judaism, soaking in the
learning through connections to the past, present, and future.
To be truthful, I was a bit hesitant about whether Shir Tikvah could offer that for my kids. Fortunately, I have been
more than thrilled at the Jewish education and experiences my 7th-grader gained this past year.
We have formed a supportive cohort of families to get us all through the b’nai mitzvah year and have watched
the friendships, the “values education,” the safe forum for honest discussion, the decision by the class to create
a tzedakah collective, the autographed baseball for my child because his Shir Tikvah classmates know he loves
baseball, and the Skyping for another who was out of the country.
These are not only Jewish values, but the human values of compassion, inclusion, charity, and social justice that we
all share, or strive to share, to make the world a better place (tikkun olam).
My biggest goal for my child, besides being healthy and self-confident, is that he is a mensch. Shir Tikvah not only
gives him opportunities to practice menschlikite, but the congregation itself lives these values every day.
For that, I am grateful to the Shir Tikvah community, and especially to the Religious School faculty. Thank you for
encouraging our kids to express who they are, to be confident in their beliefs, and help them integrate it all with a
Jewish perspective. Jennifer Lewin
I
have been fortunate to have taught at Shir Tikvah for 14 years. When I first
began, my son Casey had just begun kindergarten and I secretly wanted to
know more about Judaism. I thought that teaching would be a good way to
learn, and I was correct.
I grew passionate about Judaism from my 5th-grade religious school teacher, who
taught me about the figures and tales from the Tanach.
This past year, I discovered how Pharaoh’s “hardened heart” could be found in my
life, and how Joseph’s brothers throwing him into the pit had much to say about
the modern experiences of bullying. I was able to learn more about prayers and the
various B’rachot (blessings).
I could have possibly discovered these insights through another venue at Shir
Tikvah, but teaching opened these doors for me. Likewise, I have been able, in the
tradition of teachers before me, to pass on some of the beauty of studying Torah
and being a Jew to my students. By having the kids write a midrash based on what
they’ve learned in class, or make a movie, paint a mural, or correspond with their
peers in our sister school in Israel—my hope is that they will be inspired as I was.
The thing that keeps me coming back year after year is the kids. They are loving,
crazy, wise, and funny. Each year I find myself filled with joy by teaching them.
Barry Epstein, 1st-grade Religious School teacher and 4th-grade Hebrew School teacher
4
A
s a busy adult interested
in continuing my Jewish
education, I found what
I was looking for right here at
Shir Tikvah. Prayer, history,
some Torah, some Talmud, great
discussions, and a true sense of
welcome—no matter the course of
one’s Jewish journey.
Rabbi Latz is a dynamic, engaging
teacher, Rabbi Simon makes
beginning Hebrew seem attainable
(this is my fourth try), and I’ve
enjoyed getting to know my
classmates. The whole experience
has been a real blessing.
Mary Small
Confirmants share beliefs
Religious and
Hebrew School News
We need volunteers for our schools.
Please consider being a room parent,
substitute teacher, greeter, office
assistant or all-around helper. If
you have any questions about our
upcoming school year, please be sure
to contact me at (612) 822-1440 or
RabbiSimon@ShirTikvah.net.
If you have not yet registered your
students for Religious School or
Hebrew School, you can do so on
our website at: http://bit.ly/r2657z.
On June 4, members of the Confirmation class led services to honor Shabbat, Shavuot, and Confirmation.
Students shared their personal statements of belief with the congregation.“I believe that tomorrow
will bring better special education to people who may need it,” Zach Minn. “I believe in the power of
community and social justice,” Lillie Benowitz. “I believe in not being dumb,” Emmet Kowler.
Photo by Peter Kowler
Tending the Flame of Lifelong Jewish Learning
T
[Excerpted from an article posted on the URJ website.]
amid is the Hebrew term for “eternal” or “lifelong.” Students in our
movement’s early childhood centers, supplementary schools, day
schools, youth groups and camps all recognize the image of the ner
tamid, the eternal light of a synagogue.
But Judaism also directs us to a continual light within us, which might uplift
us in terms of learning and living as Jews.
We are taught: “Jews must light the ner tamid each in their own heart—
and not only in Tabernacle or Tent, that is, in synagogue or school.” In
other words, our pride in Jewish tradition is kindled in the “street and
marketplace, in profane activities, in all matters relating to…fellow human
beings” (from Itturei Torah as cited in The Torah: A Modern Commentary,
revised edition, p.575).
Motivated to engage our students in a commitment to learning and living
that could be described as tamid, the task force on teen engagement’s
mission is to respond to the challenge of increasing the retention and
engagement of post-b’nei mitzvah teens in our congregations and to create a
cadre of lifelong Jewish learners and Jewish leaders….
As we continue our work, we will seek to remain a part of—and lend
support to—the Reform Movement’s Teen Engagement Campaign. All of us
have a stake in a campaign that seeks to make Jewish learning and living a
continuous commitment and a radiant light from all our teens in the Jewish
community.
Lisa Lieberman Barzilai, RJE, Jo Kay, RJE, and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk
Co-chairs, Teen Engagement Task Force, Union for Reform Judaism
[Rabbi Simon will be attending the URJ Summit on Teen Engagement in December
2011. Article reprinted with permission.]
Please be assured that no child will
be refused a Jewish education due
to financial constraints. Special
tuition arrangements can be made by
contacting Executive Director John
Humleker. If you have any questions,
please contact me at 612 822 1440
or e-mail RabbiSimon@ShirTikvah.
net.
Rabbi Simon
New Time Slot for
Torah study
Our monthly lunchtime Torah study
group will be held on the first Friday
of each month, starting on August 5
from 12:15-1:30 pm. in the Shir Tikvah
library.
While we read through the Torah
in chronological order, we tackle
approximately 12-14 verses each
month, with plenty of time for
questions and consideration of
commentators.
We are currently studying the story
of Joseph’s sojourn in Egypt and his
reunification with his brothers.
Some people are able to come every
month; some come intermittently
as their schedules allow. All are
welcome to join at any time—for
both the study and the community.
To be added to the e-mail reminder
list, please send an e-mail to me at
gaylerz@yahoo.com.
Gayle Zoffer
5
From our President ...
As I begin my tenure as
president, I find myself
reflecting on the many ways
in which Shir Tikvah has
been a spiritual home and
a welcoming community to
me and my family since we
joined in 1989.
I look forward to forging
new connections, engaging
members in innovative and
meaningful activities, and
leading the congregation in
new directions over the next
two years.
Looking at the calendar, I
see that the 9th day of Av
(August 8 on the secular
calendar) brings the holiday
of Tisha B’av. Like many
Jewish holidays, Tisha B’av
commemorates a time in
history when the Jewish
people were persecuted.
What fascinates me about
this holy day is that in our
long history, Jews have
endured various acts of
persecution on this same
date. The first temple
was destroyed on the 9th
day of Av in 586 BCE and
the second temple was
destroyed on the 9th day of
Av in 70 CE.
far less dramatic, is also
a history of survival and
growth. We have much to
celebrate as we look at our
history, but we must also
continue to move forward
and adapt in the future.
On the 9th of Av in 1290,
Jews were expelled from
England, and in 1492 Jews
were expelled from Spain.
On the eve of Tisha B’Av in
1942, Jews were deported
from the Warsaw Ghetto
and taken to Treblinka.
As we approach Shir
Tikvah’s 25th anniversary,
we take pride in our
rich history and on the
foundation upon which
it was built. As we look
ahead we want to maintain
our founding values and
mission while embracing
changes in technology,
in our congregational
demographics, and in the
needs of our community.
For many observant Jews
Tisha B’av is a day of
mourning and fasting as
“the saddest day in Jewish
history” is recalled. But
others focus not only on our
tragic past but on the fact
that we have endured as a
people; we have survived
and grown, moving
forward and adapting with
the changing times.
Shir Tikvah’s history, while
From our Board ...
Rabbi Simon led the D’var Torah by
speaking on memory and Judaism,
how we can learn from our past, and
not lose our history. We discussed
how Jewish memory plays a role
in our lives at Shir Tikvah, and that
embracing our history and reflecting
on where we come from is important
for the future, for our lifelong
learning program, and to our social
justice work.
Jane Binder welcomed current and
new members to the board. We
learned interesting things about each
other.
Jane announced that Kathryn
Klibanoff will continue as the
at-large member to the Executive
Committee. Jane is also continuing
6
I feel strongly that, in
order to guide policies and
programs, make decisions,
and plan for our future, we
need to review our mission,
clarify our values, and
articulate our vision. To
that end, I have initiated a
to gather information from a
potential consultant, who may help
guide us through our visioning
process.
John Humleker reported that our
fiscal year ended on June 30, and
we now need to figure out how
our finances ended for the year.
He reported that it looks like
dues collection did not come in
as anticipated and that we will be
looking at a much larger deficit than
previously reported.
John will be working with our
bookkeeper and financial reviewer
to determine the exact amount of the
deficit.
He also reported that dues pledges
for next year have fallen short of
formal visioning process
that will begin after the
High Holy Days.
From there we will
develop strategic initiatives
for moving our holy
community forward in a
well-considered way.
There will be opportunities
for every congregant to
participate in this process,
and I hope you will. Shir
Tikvah cannot survive
as the vibrant, inclusive
community we know by
simply relying on the past;
we must be mindful of how
we want our future to look.
We can use our wonderful
history, and the values upon
which our community was
founded, as a springboard
to create a future for which
we can all be proud.
B’Shalom,
Jane Binder
our projections. This will be an
extremely tight year. John will
be working with the Finance and
Administration Committee to review
options.
John announced that our new
address is officially 1360 West
Minnehaha Parkway, though we
will still maintain 5000 Girard as a
secondary address.
Jim L. Miller introduced three new
household members to the board.
Our current synagogue membership
is at 393, and we have six new
memberships pending.
Wendy Horowitz, Recording
Secretary
John Humleker, Executive Director
Bar Mitzvah in August
Max Taylor will become a bar mitzvah on August 27 at 10:30 am. His
Torah portion is Re’eh from Deuteronomy, in which Moses instructs
the Israelites in the laws that they
were to observe, including the law
of a centralized place of worship,
keeping kosher, the Sabbatical year,
and the three pilgrimage festivals,
Passover, Sukkot and Shavuot.
Max is entering eighth grade at
North Junior High in Minnetonka.
He is an accomplished trombonist
and pianist playing in the school
jazz band.
Max enjoys
skateboarding,
solving Rubik’s
cubes, and movie
making. He’s
finishing his third
year at the JCC’s
Camp Chi, where he hopes to be a
counselor in a few years.
In addition to his individual interests, Max has a strong sense of community and social justice. Recently,
he has volunteered with the elderly
at the Sholom Home, playing Bingo.
Max will make donations in honor
of his bar mitzvah to YouthLink and
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s
Fund).
Max and his family would like to
thank his helpful tutors, Wendy
Goldberg and Cheryl Hornstein, as
well as Rabbis Simon and Latz for
their guidance.
Max will participate in the service
Friday, August 26, at 8:00 pm.
Update from the Lifelong Learning Taskforce
T
he mission of the Lifelong Learning Taskforce is to
bring together community members who:
• are committed to Shir Tikvah
• deeply passionate about Judaism and lifelong learning;
• work collaboratively and independently
• are open to innovation
• are attentive to the needs of our community and
represent our diversity in order to create a vision for
learning at Shir Tikvah.
At the taskforce’s June 23 meeting, members explored the
“low-hanging fruit,” the easy actions that can be quickly
implemented while our visioning process continues. Some
of the ideas discussed included:
• Re-doing old programs or classes
• Taking programs from the URJ (Union for Reform
Judaism) and other congregations and turning them into
an “activity-in-a-box idea,” something easy share among a
group (such as a satellite Shabbat site)
• Arranging to attend a talk at a university or another
congregation
• Programming that groups people in various ways
• considering new ways to build community
We also continued the process of looking at the history of
our own educational programs. We found out that:
• kids who had gone to Jewish day schools were still
expected go to Shir Tikvah’s Religious School (currently
some day school families have enrolled their children in
Religious School while others have not)
• there is no formal post-confirmation learning program
offered at Shir Tikvah though some students serve as
madrichim (helpers)
• in the Religious School there was a focus on relationships
and community; teachers had flexibility based on their
interests and skills, rather than a formal curriculum
• Rabbi Offner taught an adult class on Jewish practices
and beliefs class, and Rabbi Latz teaches a similar class
called “On One Foot”
• there was more adult programming some years than
others, depending on the makeup of the Adult Education
Committee
Our task force also reviewed our current educational
programming. We looked at information prepared by
the Minneapolis Jewish Federation that highlighted the
work of our Religious School and Hebrew School, and we
reviewed past brochures for adult education courses.
At the conclusion of our meeting, we studied texts
from varying traditions on what happened to the Ten
Commandments that were destroyed by Moses. We
decided we need to keep making progress, but we don’t
need perfection.
In the months ahead the task force will be bringing
questions to the congregation and gathering feedback.
Please be in touch with Rabbi Simon if you are interested in
joining our conversation.
The Lifelong Learning Task Force: Melissa Machovsky,
Beckie Skelton, Susan Geller, Larry Fox, Caroline Schultz, Jim
Rubenstein, Andrea Breen, Wayne Kuklinski, Billie Walstom,
Jennifer Lewin and Rabbi Simon
7
The Backpack
Project
For many years, Shir Tikvah
congregants have supported the
children of “Families Together,” a St.
Paul preschool for children living in
high-risk situations and in poverty.
We are provided with the names
and photos of the children who will
be entering kindergarten in the fall,
along with a list of needed school
supplies and clothing (with their size
and favorite color).
July’s Town Hall Meeting to Organize
Against the Marriage Amendment
Our families fill
To become a
a new backpack
with a variety of sponsor, email
items from the
jbrook@
list. They are then
usfamily.net.
dropped off at
Shir Tikvah office by mid-August.
I have been coordinating this program
at Shir Tikvah for a number of years.
I have heard from the organization
that the backpacks symbolize the
excitement of upcoming changes as
well as provide very practical support
to families who have very little
capacity to provide these supplies to
their children. Shir Tivkah’s ongoing
community support is greatly
appreciated by the Families Together
staff and families.
To find out more about the program
and how you can be a sponsor,
contact me at jbrook@usfamily.net.
Judith Brook
Caring and Accessibility
If you have had an illness, would
like a visitor, need a ride to
services, or would like to join
a chavurah, go to http://www.
shirtikvah.net/CaringCommunity
on the Shir Tikvah website.
You will also find information on
assistance or accommodations
at Shir Tikvah, or can call the
office at (612) 822-1440.
8
Rabbis Latz and Simon, and Rabbis Saks and Zimmerman from Temple Israel, lead the
community in Havdalah at the state Capitol on May 21.
S
eventy-five members of Shir Tikvah demonstrated their strength
and commitment to justice and equality by attending the “Organize
against the Amendment” meeting on June 22. Rabbi Latz opened
the gathering with a prayer and a call to work against enshrining discrimination into the state Constitution.
Speakers included Linda Alter, who shared her experiences on the power
of telling personal stories; Beth Zemsky, who spoke about the importance
of coalition-building; and Rabbi
To be added to the list of those
Simon, who conveyed the imporinterested in this group, email
tance of marriage equality on a
alterhomes@mindspring.com
national level.
Monica Myers and Javen Swanson
of Outfront Minnesota discussed the work of Minnesotans United for All
Families, a broad coalition of faith organizations, businesses, communities
of color, progressive organizations, nonpartisan organizations, organized
labor, leaders, current and former elected officials, Republicans, Democrats, and Green and Independence Party members.
The meeting concluded with a social justice version of “Eliyahu Hanavi,”
led by Wendy Goldberg.
Future steps in fighting the marriage ban will be outlined in the e-newsletter. There will be speaker trainings, speaking engagements coordinated
with other groups, videotaping of stories, and succinct talking points for
use when visiting with friends, family, or groups.
To be added to the email list of those interested in this working group,
please contact me at alterhomes@mindspring.com. To lend your financial
support, contribute to Shir Tikvah and designate “Minnesotans United for
All Families” in the memo section of your check.
Linda Alter
Tzedakah
Shir Tikvah is appreciative of all tzedakah given to the congregation. We will notify any people or organizations of contributions made in their
honor. Contributions can be sent to the congregation office. Funds include: Shir Tikvah Fund, Rabbi Latz Discretionary Fund, Rabbi Simon Discretionary Fund, Rabbi Offner
Legacy Fund for Youth, Adult Scholarship Fund, Building Fund, Flower Fund, Library Fund, Harris Music Fund, Prayerbook Fund, Relief Fund, Social Justice Fund, Special Needs
Education Fund, Torah Fund. Editor’s note: Donations made through June 30 are reflected below. Donations received after June 30 will appear in the September issue.
Shir Tikvah Fund
Rick Appelsies, in memory of his father, Larry Appelsies
Burt & Micki Danovsky, for a speedy recovery of Mert
Suckerman
Alena Goldfarb
Gayle Zoffer & David MacNaughton, in memory
of fathers of Ruth Markowitz and Lara FriedmanShedlov
Sandrine Zerbib & Tim Paulson, in thanks to Dr.Tanz for
Joseph Zerbib Paulson’s brit milah
Barbara Block, in appreciation of Jim and Andrea
Rubenstein’s hospitality at the April 23rd fundraiser
Debra A Oberman, in honor of Asher Weisberg
becoming a bar mitzvah
Ruth & David Olkon and Rachel Hampton & Darius
Szeczak, in honor of the 45th wedding anniversary of
Anna and Ken Hampton
Mary Small, in honor of the community of Shir Tikvah
Jay Erstling & Pixie Martin, in memory of Ethel Erstling
Jane Binder & Larry Silber, in honor of Asher Weisberg’s
bar mitzvah
Jane Binder & Larry Silber, in appreciation of Rebecca
Rubenstein
Jane Binder & Larry Silber, in appreciation of two years
with Rabbi Latz
Jane Binder & Larry Silber, in appreciation of one year
with Rabbi Simon
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov, in memory of Harry
Friedman and in appreciation of Rabbi Latz and Rabbi
Simon
Gene & Jane Borochoff, in honor of Sam Weisberg’s
confirmation
Catherine Jordan in memory of Bob Smith, father of
Ruth Markowitz
Amy Lange & Jane Newman, in memory of Howard
Jordan Brown, Gay Bloom,Toby Lerman, Bob Smith
Amy Lange & Jane Newman, in honor of Nadia
Goldman’s and Izzy Rousmaniere’s bat mitzvah
Amy Lange & Jane Newman, in honor of the birth of
Joseph Zerbib Paulson and Isabel Pollock
Amy Lange & Jane Newman, in honor of the
confirmation class of 5771
Elaine Frankowski
Nancy Fushan & David Olson
Mary Hartmann & Billie Wahlstrom, in memory of
Anseim Wahlstrom’s yahrzeit
Daniel & Amy Honigs
Leslie & Surya Iyer, in thanks to Barry Epstein for Macy
Iyer’s great Religious School year
Leslie & Surya Iyer, in thanks to Barry Epstein for a great
year in Hebrew School
Leslie & Surya Iyer, in thanks to Jessica Schroeter for a
great year in Religious School
Ginny & Ray Levi
Ruth Markowitz, in appreciation of the Caring
Committee
Lisa Pogoff & Jeffrey Zuckerman, in honor of Amy
Lange & Jane Newman
Doug & Lisa Powell
Susan Rosenthal Kraus
Kim & Noah Swiler, in honor of mother Jill Swiler
Rabbi Latz’s Discretionary Fund
Audrey & Megan Friedman, in memory of Harry
Friedman
Brittany McCloskey, in appreciation
Claude & Laurel Riedel
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov, in memory of Harry
Friedman
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov, in appreciation of Rabbi
Latz
Jane Levin & Judy Reisman, in appreciation of Laura
Detloff
Diane & Marvin Shedlov, in appreciation
Lior Sztainer & Taylor Tarvestad, in appreciation
Ruth Markowitz, in appreciation
Penny & Steve Schumacher
Rabbi Simon Discretionary Fund
Audrey & Megan Friedman, in memory of Harry
Friedman
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov, in memory of Harry
Friedman
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov in appreciation of Rabbi
Simon
Audrey Appelsies, in appreciation of Greg Leder, Susan
Heinemann, and Jessica Schroeter
Special Needs Education Fund
Gwendy & Dean Campbell, in honor of confirmation
Bill & Sherry Cooper, in honor of confirmation
Alena Goldfarb, in honor of confirmation
Kristin & Peter Kowler, in honor of confirmation
Robert & Christina Rothstein, in honor of confirmation
Harris Music Fund
Audrey & Megan Friedman, in memory of Harry
Friedman
Jim D. Miller, in appreciation of Rebecca Rubenstein’s
devoted work at Shir Tikvah
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov, in memory of Harry
Friedman
Dan & Lara Friedman-Shedlov, in appreciation of
Wendy Goldberg & David Harris
Rabbi Offner Legacy Fund for Youth
Jessica Cohen
Daniel & Amy Honigs
Kathryn Klibanoff & Jeremy Edes Pierotti
Claire Buchwald & Larry Bogoslaw
Penny, Steve, Allie,Talia & Samara Schumacher, in
memory of Robin Leslie Alvarez
Penny, Steve, Allie,Talia & Samara Schumacher, in honor
of the birth of Eli Reuben Malamy
Social Justice Fund
Jane Levin & Judy Reisman, in honor of the
confirmation of Lillie Benowitz
Caryl Barnett, in memory of her sister, Sally Singer, on
her yahrzeit
[In appreciation of Minnesotans United for All Families:]
Candace Margulies & Zoe Nicholie
Eleanore Troxel
Linda & Lisa Alter Capell
Mindy & Rachel
Linda Crawford & Jo Devlin
Andrea Feshbach
Mazel Tov to...
Alexa Kircher Fang, on her graduation from Benjamin
Cardozo Law School.
Harvey Zuckman, for being honored by the
Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal as one of the
2011 business owner honorees
Lyonel Norris for his recent appointment as a district
court judge in the Fourth Judicial District
Toby Koritsky, on her new job in Rhode Island
Rabbi Simon, on her work on applying for and receiving
a Minneapolis Jewish Federation EDGE Professional
Development grant that will be used to help train
our Religious and Hebrew School faculty
Jane Binder, on her new role as president of the Shir
Tikvah’s Board of Directors
Barbara and Norman Steinberg, on the birth of their
twin grandchildren, Saul Stein and Naomi Ruth
Mindy Kurzer & Moon Zlotnick, on their 20th
anniversary
Janet & Luke Weisberg, on their 20th anniversary
Will Durfee & Devorah Goldstein, on their 30th
anniversary
Dorothy Goldie & Ralph Schwartz, on their 30th
anniversary
Beckie Skelton, who, upon leaving the Minneapolis
Jewish Federation after 12 years to take a job at the
Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day
School, is being presented with the Leon & Sylvia
Sorkin Jewish Communal Professional Achievement
Award at the Federation’s Annual Meeting
Welcome New Members...
Edward Weinstein
Sandrine Zerbib & Tim Paulson
Emmy Matzner & Dan Higgs
Condolences to...
Harvey Zuckman, on the death of his aunt, Mildred
Zuckman Sahl
Shayna Berkowitz, on the death of her sister, Robin
Leslie Alvarez
Michael Simon, on the death of his aunt, Leanore Simon
Tom Cytron-Hysom, on the death of his brother, Stuart
Hysom
Todah Rabah from...
Beatrice & Mert Zuckerman, for all the beautiful cards
and good wishes sent for Mert’s recovery
9
TORAH PORTIONS
a publication of Shir Tikvah,
a progressive Reform congregation
1360 West Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55419-1199
(612) 822-1440 | offices@shirtikvah.net | www.shirtikvah.net
Shir Tikvah welcomes and supports children and adults with disabilities. We try to make our programs and
services accessible to all within the limits of our resources. If you need accommodation or assistance in order
to participate in our programs, services or activities, please contact the Shir Tikvah office at (612) 822-1440.
Board Officers
President Jane Binder
Past President Jane Newman
Vice President & Communications Secretary Luke Weisberg
Treasurer Andrea Rubenstein
Recording Secretary Wendy Horowitz
Board Members
Linda Alter, Lillie Benowitz, Andy Bindman, Martha Brand, Alex Dashe,
Paula Forman, Morrie Hartman, Jennifer Kahn, Kathryn Klibanoff, Jackie
Krammer, Wayne Kuklinski, Jennifer Lewin, Jim L. Miller, Lisa Powell,
Jonah Rothstein
Committee Chairs
Development Committee Luke Weisberg
Finance & Administration Andrea Rubenstein
Library Ginny Heinrich
Membership Jim L. Miller
Religious School Wayne Kuklinski
Social Justice Linda Alter Capell, David Snyder
T’filah Alex Dashe
Yad b’Yad Chris Bargeron, Verna Lind
Youth Connections Barry Epstein
Kol Tikvah Editors Lisa Pogoff and Jeff Zuckerman
Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Michael Adam Latz
rabbilatz@shirtikvah.net
Director of Lifelong Learning
Rabbi Melissa B. Simon
rabbisimon@shirtikvah.net
Executive Director
John Humleker
john@shirtikvah.net
Music Director
Wendy Goldberg
wendy@shirtikvah.net
Rabbi’s Assistant
Holly Fields
holly@shirtikvah.net
Office Manager
Sara Lahyani
sara@shirtikvah.net
STiFTY Advisor
Amira Cohen
stifty@shirtikvah.net
Founding Rabbi Emerita
Stacy K. Offner
Designer Sarah Malakoff
NEXT SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The fifth of the month preceding publication.
Change Service Requested
Minneapolis, MN 55419-1199
1360 West Minnehaha Parkway
a progressive Reform congregation serving the Twin Cities
August 6
Dvarim
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
August 12
Ve’etchanan
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
August 19
Ekev
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
August 26
Re’eh
Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17