May 2011 - Temple Sinai

73-251 Hovley Lane West
Palm Desert CA 92260
SHOFAR
May 2011 Nisan—Iyar, 5771
President’s Message
2
Welcome New Members
2
Rabbi’s Message
3
Director of Education
Message
3
Tikvah Message
4
Social Actions News
5
Mitzvah Matters
5
Cruvant Library
5
May Shabbat Schedule
5
Brotherhood Message
6
Family Night Reservation
Form
7
Sisterhood
8
Patrons & Benefactors
9
Committees & Auxiliaries
9
Temple Sinai Events Calendar
Reservation Form on page 6
In Memoriam
9
May Calendar
12
Mission Statement
16
Temple Sinai is a Jewish congregation which seeks to share the principles of Reform Judaism with
our congregants and their families. We provide a home for assembly, worship and study. We encourage social responsibility, a sense of community, a relationship with our fellow Jews and the State
Remembrances & Tributes
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 2
A Message From the Temple President
Judi Gottesman
Hi Everyone!
ity to go forth.
As we wrap up our
season and say
good-bye to our
snowbirds and make plans for the next
year, I will be wrapping up my threeyear term of the presidency. The time
has gone by quickly, and the time has
also crawled by so slowly, as we dealt
with so very many issues throughout the
duration of my tenure.
Looking back, I began my term of office
with the “dubious” distinction of being
the only president who, within five minutes of taking office, watched the economy bottom out, and so began our quest
to continue to stay afloat. In that first
year, we managed to cut our budget from
1.4 million, down to just under one million by making some very painful cuts,
and still maintaining all of our services.
The second year, we dealt with some
very delicate administrative problems,
staff problems, and the installation of a
new part-time cantorial soloist, bringing
forth a successful resolution and an abil-
By the third year, we were dealing with
deeper financial woes and, again, looked
to where we could make further cuts.
The one wonderful solution came with
our decision to promote from within in
lieu of hiring another administrator, and
we were blessed with the acceptance of
our two very caring, thoughtful, ambitious, hard-working staffers, Toni and
Jennifer, who stepped up to the plate,
divided the most difficult position in
Temple business - namely the job of
administrator - between the two of them.
Immediately thereafter, they dived into
the workload before them, and have performed in the most above and beyond
way possible. As a result, we were able
to continue to deal with the rest of our
financial crisis - that of how to keep our
doors open at Temple Sinai.
The woes of the economy had indeed hit
us so very hard, that we were at a loss of
how to go on. At that point, we called
our emergency Town Hall Meeting and
asked all for help in what has to be a fair
share plan, with everyone stepping up to
Yom Ha’shoah (Day of the Holocaust)
Commemoration
the plate as best they can. As you know,
we have eked out enough to pay our bills
for the rest of this fiscal year, and we
struggle with our plan and our budget for
the next year of uncertainty. What we did
learn, is that most of our Temple family
wants to continue providing the Coachella
Valley with the only full-service temple
currently in existence. Together, we must
find a way.
In closing, I wish to thank my faithful
Board of Trustees for all their help and
cooperation, the staff for their able assistance and willingness in giving their all,
and to all of you who have been so supportive to me in offering help when needed,
and to our volunteers who so willingly give
of their time. It has been a learning experience, a growing experience, and a labor of
love for me to have been of service to
Temple Sinai. My plan is to continue to
support our beloved temple now and into
the future.
B’Shalom,
Judi
WELCOME NEW
MEMBERS
Sunday, May 1, 2011
3 - 4 p.m.
Samson Social Hall—Temple Sinai
Co-chaired by Stephanie Ross and Allan Lehmann.
Special Keynote Speaker will be Sara Moses, a camp
survivor and award winning speaker on the Holocaust.
Meditations, readings, and candle lighting will all be part
of this year’s program.
Contact Jeffrey Frankel at 760-324-4737 or
Jeffrey.frankel@jfedps.org for more information.
Judy & Richard Columbus
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 3
A Message From the Rabbi
Rabbi Avi Levine
Israel Independence
Day
(Yom Ha’Atzmaut!)
Israel’s first president,
Hayyim Weizmann, once said, “No state is
handed to a people on a silver platter.” Israel
is important not just because it was salvaged
from the burning embers of the Holocaust,
but because this miracle took place after
2,000 years of Jewish exile and that it happened during our lifetime. On May 14, 1948,
the Jewish people fulfilled the dream of
many generations to return to their homeland,
to be a nation equal to other nations.
On my first trip to Israel in 1963, my ship
pulled into the Haifa Harbor and we disembarked on Israel Independence Day. This
day is celebrated with joy by everyone
throughout the land and this rejoicing overflows into Jewish communities the world
over. Although the element of happiness
predominates, it does not rule out the
solemn aspect. The day preceding Yom
Ha-atzmaut (Independence Day) is the
State’s memorial day (Yom Hazikaron)
on which the nation honors and memorializes those who fell and gave their lives
that Israel might live.
On Independence Day, every town, village and kibbutz in Israel takes on a
carnival atmosphere with singing and
dancing. There are Bible quizzes, song
festivals and hikes around Jerusalem
where thousands of participants join
together. This year, Temple Sinai will
host Israel Independence Day. Our
Jewish Federation of Palm Springs
and the Desert Area is preparing an
afternoon celebration on Sunday, May
15, 2011 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
There will be Middle Eastern foods,
music, and dancing.
Our Jewish state was established on May 14,
1948. With the establishment of the State of
Israel, the Jewish people fulfilled the dream
of many generations to return to their homeland to be a nation equal to other nations.
Even today, Israel is faced with internal and
external struggles, yet it has made tremendous achievements in many fields, including
science and technology. The State of Israel
has become the one place in the world where
Jews from every station in life are welcomed.
Let us come together as a community to support Israel’s future with optimism and confidence because it is only through the support
of Diaspora Jewry that the dream of our
people is being realized.
Shalom,
Rabbi Avi Levine
A Message From The Director of Education
Miri Ketayi
Fourth Grade
Hagigat
Hasidur, Mitzvah
Day, Passover
Fun
Family
Education Day,
and Israeli Dancing with Rivkah Gilad does it sound like there is plenty going
on in our Beit Sefer / Religious School?
You’d better believe it!
We had a very exciting Fourth Grade
Shabbat Family Service – Hagigat Hasidur. The students felt proud to receive
their own Siddur handed to them by their
parents, and accompanied with their
blessing for a flourishing future of Jewish learning. I want to extend a special
thank you to their teacher Ruti Rokenstein, who worked hard in preparing the
Fourth Grade students for the service.
For the community-wide Mitzvah Day,
our Sixth and Eighth Grade student and
parent volunteers participated in the holy
task of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the
World) by going to Hidden Harvest warehouse in Coachella, to sort fruits and vegetables that will be distributed to valley pantries
to feed the hungry. Special thank you goes to
Shelly Cannon who organized this part of our
Mitzvah Day. Other students decorated Kippot for the Israeli soldiers, and each student
attached a special blessing to the Kippa he/she
decorated.
Our Fourth through Sixth Grade students and
parents had a fun Passover Family Education
Day. We made Seder plates, Kiddush cups,
Matzah trays and even reclining pillows to
accentuate that, today, we are free people. We
ended our day with interactive learning about
the 14 steps of the Seder. Don’t you wish you
could be a kid again??
And, now for the most exciting event of the
year!!!...
Students, grades six through twelve, get ready
for our first time ever Jewish community-wide
Overnight Teen Retreat at Temple Sinai! Our
camp-style weekend is about friendship, leadership and fun. Enjoy everything from hiking
in the great outdoors to a camp-style
Shabbat, a leadership workshop led by
a skilled professional, exciting activities for the entire group, and agespecific separate activities for middle
school and high school, plus singing,
dancing, music, delicious kosher style
food and plenty more.
Our Beit Sefer / Religious School year
will be coming to an end on Sunday,
June 5th.. Registration forms for the
upcoming school year will go out
shortly. Please register your children
for the new school year as soon as
possible so we can be properly prepared for them in September.
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 4
A Message From Tikvah Preschool Director
Debbie Midcalf
There is little
that compares
with the joy
of our preschooler’s
voices as they joyously sing Bim Bom
with Rabbi Levine each Friday morning
during our weekly Shabbat celebration.
Children begin asking early in the
week, “Is today Shabbat?” The anticipation of the taste of the challah, the
lighting of the candles, and Rabbi’s
story and songs builds throughout the
week until Friday morning when we
gather in the chapel at the synagogue
for our weekly Tikvah Shabbat. Friday
mornings are a special time of stories,
songs, prayer, and, most importantly, a
child’s introduction into Jewish life.
The first five years of a child’s life are
a time of great brain development. It is
during this period of amazing growth
that Jewish experiences lay the foundation for lifelong Jewish identity and
learning. Our early childhood program at
Tikvah Preschool seeks to create a Jewish
experience for our children and, thus, ensure the future of the Jewish people. It is
this weekly Shabbat experience coupled
with such classroom experiences as baking
challah, celebrating Jewish holidays, and
kissing the mezuzah upon entering the
classroom each morning that we begin
laying the basis for a lifelong Jewish journey.
At Tikvah Preschool we recognize the importance of partnering with families to
offer a quality Jewish early learning experience and, therefore, we offer the PJ
Library program to all children age 6
months to 6 years in the Coachella Valley.
Each month every family who enrolls in
The PJ Library receives a free quality Jewish book in the mail. The books serve the
purpose of connecting families to their
Jewish roots and strengthening their Jewish
identity through the delightful stories and
conversations that the stories spark. The
Coachella Valley’s PJ Library is funded by
the Grinspoon Foundation of Maryland and
the Jewish Federation of Palm Springs and
Desert Area and is implemented by Tikvah
Preschool. We are accepting donations
towards funding for The PJ Library during
the 2011-2012 school year. If you would
like to make a difference in the lives of the
young Jewish families of our community
contact Debbie Midcalf at 760-568-6779 or
dmidcalf@templesiniapd.org.
We are currently enrolling children in our
preschool program. We offer a curriculum
which focuses on Jewish values and is rich
with opportunities for children to explore,
create, and experiment. We accept children ages 2-5 including children who are in
diapers. Please contact me at 760-5686779 for more information. I would be
happy to give you a tour of our
school. Come see why Tikvah Preschool
is the happiest place on earth!
Returning to
Tikvah after
Shabbat
Enjoying songs at Shabbat
Anticipating the
Challah
On our way to Shabbat...
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 5
Social Action News
Marcia Becker
HELP!!! The Social
Action Committee is
starting a restructuring
program. That is to say, we will be adding
new events to the already full slate of programming that we do. But in order to succeed, we need your help.
We need to know your interests and what
you enjoy doing for others. For example,
do you like to work with the homeless?
Do you enjoy gardening? Would you be
interested in calling or visiting our members in need? Do you enjoy making sick
children happy by playing a musical instru-
ment, acting, doing magic tricks, painting,
dancing, singing? Please call or e mail me
and let me know. Only then can your Social Action team work for you and provide
you with relevant programming!
Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Marcia, Social Action Chairperson
Pbmarcia46@yahoo.com
MITZVAH MATTERS
A Message from Gail Jacobs
Food Delivery Project
Richard Arrow
How do we do it?? Thanks to Dick Arrow, Ed Rudetsky, Steve Manning and
our volunteers! On May 18, we will hold our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. We
have a great time! Look for photos in next month’s Shofar. These loyal, hardworking
women and men really go the extra mile (literally ) and hour to help keep our program running. They are: Sam Achlufi, Dick Arrow, Neil Colt, Saul Jacobs, Aaron Kershenbaum,
Elaine Kravitz, Norm Lewis, Clarice Lubel, Gabe Lubel Steve Manning, Sharon Meyerhoff, Bill Miller. Jack Olshansky, Marvin Paul, Ed Rudetsky, Marcel Schkud, Joe Taras,
and Sheppa Van Der Kleij. Thanks guys!! If you want to join us, just call me. We always
welcome new volunteers – especially in the summer.
Cleaning out your pantry? Getting rid of the hamatz? Leaving the desert for a cooler summer? Have some unopened non-perishable food and canned goods? Soap? Toilet tissue?
Drop them off at the Temple before you leave. We need them. The recipients of our Food
Delivery Project stay here all summer and they get hungry.
May the Joy of Mitzvah spread its goodness everywhere.
SHABBAT
SERVICE
SCHEDULE
MAY 2011
Friday, May 6
Family Shabbat Dinner
Family Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 7
Torah Study
Shabbat Service
Friday, May 13
Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 14
Torah Study
Shabbat Service
Friday, May 20
Shabbat Dinner
Shabbat Zimra Service
Saturday, May 21
Torah Study
Shabbat Service
Friday, May 27
Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 28
Torah Study
Shabbat Service
CRUVANT LIBRARY
Gail Jacobs, Chair
As the season draws to a close, it’s time to thank our dedicated Library Volunteers.
Todah rabah to Thelma Guffan and Saul Jacobs. If you want to check out a book
when the library is closed, it’s very easy. Just go upstairs, make your selection and
be sure to fill out a pink “withdrawal slip” so we can keep track of our books.
Jennifer is always willing and able to help you and she has a complete list of our
collection. Be sure to check out the new location of the library annex in Greenbaum
Foyer. All of those books are also available – we just don’t have room for them
upstairs. Jennifer can help you check them out, too. Keep reading!
Regular Library hours:
Sunday – Friday
10:00 am – Noon
Friday Evening
During the Oneg Shabbat
Shabbat
Closed
Mitzvah Day 2011 at
Temple Sinai
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
PAGE 6
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
A Message From The President of Brotherhood
Gordon Poster
I remember
last
May
when rabbi
asked me to
be President
of the Brothe r h o o d ,
again, I said “no.” He asked me again in
June and again in July, only this time Temple President Judi Gottesman was with
him. I was already on the board for a twoyear term, but between the two of them I
finally agreed to take the reins again for
the second, or maybe the third, time. I’ve
lost track.
mention a few of the events and what we
gave back to the Temple:
•
First Xmas Comedy/Chinese Night
for the temple, $2,400.00
•
Tree planting for Israel, $100.00
•
Grounds work $400.00
•
Purim Carnival $400.00 (with the
help of Sherman’s Deli)
•
Two Family Fun Nights – One with a
magic Show and the other with a
Ventriloquist
At my first meeting and announcement of
my becoming President, I asked for volunteers to become my board. I was very fortunate, Jack Lawrence, Saul Jacobs, Mitch
Fishman, Warren Kross, Ed Rudetsky and
past President Eric Cowle, were there from
the start. Gentlemen, thank you very much
for all your support. Brotherhood could not
have been a success without you.
•
Dinner meeting with NFL Hall of
Fame coach Mr. Tom Flores
•
Mo Carson, the 92 year old Fitness
Trainer, who just recently was in a
motorcycle accident – we wish him a
speedy recovery, and Earthquake
Safety with Mr. Gary Rosenblum and
Al Fischer, and we are still going.
Just to let everyone know what Brotherhood has done this year, I thought I would
But, we are not finished, by the end of the
season Brotherhood hopes to give more
needed funds to the temple.
Next year is already in the planning
stages. I have already signed a contract
with another comedy act for the Second
Annual Xmas Comedy/Chinese Night
on December 25th, 2011, so keep your
eyes open for more information. My
board and I will work to make our dinner
meetings informative. If you have any
ideas, please send them to me via email
at poster4@dc.rr.com, so we can follow
up. This is also the start of our second
term, and we will be seeking a new slate
of officers. If you are interested, please
let us know at the first meeting in October. A tentative date for that meeting is
October 20th, and I hope to unveil the
calendar for the season.
Thank you again for all of your support.
B’Shalom,
Gordon
Sponsored by
PAGE 7
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 8
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
A Message From The President of Sisterhood
Gloria Rudetsky
While in New York at the beginning of April, I suffered a severe asthma attack. Ed took me to an urgent care facility
where they gave me a huge dose of Albuterol which caused me to shake uncontrollably and for my heart rate to go to
about 200 beats per minute. They called an ambulance and took me to Mt. Sinai Hospital. While there, I was asked a
million questions about what medicines I take, what surgeries I’ve had, what am I allergic to, what vitamins and supplements do I take, when did I have various shots for pneumonia, flu, etc. Fortunately, Ed has all this information on a
little card which he carries in his wallet and I have the same information on my iPhone. WHY DO I TELL YOU ALL
THIS? Because it is of the utmost importance that you and your spouse/significant other always be aware of all this most vital information
pertaining to your health. As we age, health problems are unavoidable and we must be prepared to inform all health care workers of anything that can have an impact on our care.
Now on to Sisterhood news – Kudos to Susan Kross and her committee for the outstanding Mah Jongg Tournament held on Sunday, April
10th at the Date Palm Country Club. Women from as far away as Riverside came to play their favorite game. The day was a huge success
and Sisterhood plans to make this an annual event.
Because of Passover, we did not have a general meeting. Our by-laws were amended at the February meeting to allow for the March presentation of the recommendations of the nominating committee in writing and to hold the April sisterhood elections electronically when the
secular calendar meeting dates conflict with our Jewish calendar. By our Jewish calendar, our scheduled election meeting for April would
fall during the Passover festival. The proposed slate of officers was announced at the March meeting and is again presented in this eShofar. Our election will continue according to those amended by-laws. Please vote according to the ballot below. Note that space is provided for additional write-in candidates. Additional ballots will be available at the Temple office. Send your ballot by mail to the Temple,
drop it off at the Temple, or send an email Jackie Drucker, chair of our Nominating Committee at judgejackie@dc.rr.com indicating your
vote. Please check either Yes or No next to the name of the candidate. Please submit your vote not later than May 10, 2011. We must
have a quorum of 27 votes for the election to be valid. Results of our first electronic and by mail election of Sisterhood officers will be
announced in the next e-Shofar and at the May Installation Luncheon.
Please make sure to submit your ballot as soon as possible.
Gloria
BALLOT FOR SISTERHOOD OFFICERS FOR 2011-2012
YES
NO
PRESIDENT
FLO MEDOVE
YES
NO
VICE PRESIDENTS, WAYS AND MEANS SHARYN MCKEE, FRANCES MILLER
YES
NO
VICE PRESIDENTS, MEMBERSHIP
ROSALIE BOOKE, CLARICE LUBEL
YES
NO
VICE PRESIDENTS, PROGRAMS
PICCE GLAST,
YES
NO
TREASURER
BOBBI HOFFMAN
YES
NO
RECORDING SECRETARY
GLORIA RUDETSKY
YES
NO
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
ZELLAH ARROW
YES
NO
PARLIAMENTARIAN
SYBIL SEMAR
YES
NO
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
NANCY SINGER
YES
NO
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE
SANDY BANNER, MARCIA, BECKER,
SUSAN KROSS
TERRI BLITZ, MARION COWLE,
JACKIE DRUCKER, JANE HANNA,
TOOKIE MARCELLIN, SHARI ROSEN,
MICKEY TIEFFER, MARGE TOBIAS
ADDITIONAL WRITE-IN CANDIDATES:
PAGE 9
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 10
Patron Benefactor
Shirley & Burton Kaplan
JoAnn & Joel Kocen
Committees & Auxiliaries
President’s Circle
Rita & Phillip Gershon
Frank Goodman
Judi Gottesman
Dori Brown
Isabel & Jeffrey Louis
Mitzie & Jack Olshansky
Executive
President: Judi Gottesman
Thursday, May 26, 3 p.m.
Patron
Marion & Dale Cowle
Howard Haft
Alicia Rodriguez
Melvin & Sheryl Sherman
Joseph & Beverly Shore
Paul & Carrie Stone
Marvin & Patricia Weiss
Sam & Diane Weiss
Ritual Practices
Chair: Dori Brown
Membership
Chair: Bud Booke
Finance
Chair: Jack Olshansky
Tuesday, May 17, 10 a.m.
House & Grounds
Chair: Brian Gottleib
Ways & Means
Chair: Howard Vogel
Mitzvah
Jean Carrus
Sima Hayutin
Leslie & Joel Hirschberg
Kathy Kapler
Gregory & Susan Kassel
Shirley Kimmel
Paula & Vernon Kozlen
Flo Medove
Brotherhood
President: Gordon Poster
Education
Chair, Sharyn McKee
Social Action
Chair: Marcia Becker
SISTERHOOD TRIBUTES
Board of Trustees
Thursday, May 26, 4 p.m.
GET WELL
The Caring Committee
Harriet Hill, Chair
RABBI AVI LEVINE
By Dr. Nat and Mrs. Ethel Cooperman
Executive Board
THANK YOU
Judi Gottesman, President
Sharyn McKee, Vice President-Education
Jack Olshansky, Treasurer
Jim Loeb, Member at Large
Beatrice Eslamboly, Promise at Sinai
Liaison
Let us know who would
appreciate our calling.
We are here for you.
Staff
Eric Cowle, Member at Large
Brian Gottlieb, House & Grounds Chair
Gordon Poster, Brotherhood President
Gloria Rudetsky, Recording Secretary
and Sisterhood President
Howard Vogel, Ways & Means Chair
=
Rita Korman
Mother of Gail Jacobson
Cousin of Jerry Korman
Bernice Robbins
Mother of Susan Robbins
Roslyn Witas
Wife of Carl Witas
Libby Sturtz
Sister of Marvin Schurgin
Rolly Silberman
Cousin of David Goldberg
Lillian Rothman
Mother of Jay, Barry & Rick Rothman
Edgar Gold
Companion of Natalie Roseman
Lou Zackon
Companion of Sybil Semar
Sisterhood
President: Gloria Rudetsky
Tuesday, May 10, 10 a.m.
Associate Patrons
Anne Kalkstein
James & Ann Loeb
Norman & Linda Pate
Dr. Paul & Stephanie Ross
Marjorie & Harry J. Tobias
Max Weil
Board of Trustees
IN MEMORIAM
Rabbi Avi Levine
Cantorial Soloist Randy Tichauer
Miri Ketayi, Director of Education
Debbie Midcalf, Director of Tikvah
Jennifer Feldstein, Assistant to Rabbi
Toni Knorr, Interim Director
Francisco Rodriguez, Maintenance
Ruben Cervantes, Maintenance
MR. AND MRS. IVAN ZWELLING
By Eleanor Heeger
SYMPATHY
SYLBIL SEMAR
By Celia Schwartz
Kathy Kapler
Henrietta Kopel
IN MEMORY OF
LOU ZACKON
By Dr. Nat and Mrs. Ethel Cooperman
PAGE 11
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
Sparks of Torah
May 2011 Torah Readings
By Dan Stork
May 7: Emor, Lev
21:1-24:23
The four chapters in
this Torah portion
cover a range of topics. Among them are restrictions on the sort
of women that a priest may marry (Chapter
21), and the treatment of blasphemy (Chapter
24). Writing in The Women’s Torah Commentary, Rabbi Valerie Lieber connects these
topics.
She states two reasons for the constraints on
priestly marital choices. (To summarize what
the Torah says on the subject, priests must
marry virgins, and are explicitly enjoined from
marrying harlots, widows, and divorced
women.) The first reason is to distinguish the
Aaron-descended, Levitical priests of Jerusalem both from priests of other peoples, and
from other Jewish priests. (Torah notwithstanding, there were priests from many tribes
among the Israelites.) The second reason cited
by Rabbi Lieber is an effort to curb the power
of women by restricting their choices for sexual expression.
On to blasphemy: The origin of the penalty
for blasphemy is unusual in that it is not abstractly stated, but is motivated by a specific
occurence.
A particular man blasphemes, causing Moses to consult with
God for an appropriate action, and learns
that the consequence should be death by
stoning. The Blasphemer is not named,
nor is his Egyptian father, but his mother
is identified by name and patrimony.
The mother’s name was Shelomit. Note
“shalom” within this name. Rashi picks
up on this, and tells a story that plays on
her name: “She would babble, ‘peace be
with you, peace be with you’. She
would babble words inquiring into the
welfare of everyone.” Rabbi Lieber
takes the significance of the name
Shelomit in another direction: Perhaps
she ministered to the welfare of the people, and was “a pastoral presence” and a
leader among her people. Her tribe was
Dan, which is known to have maintained
a group of priests independent of the
Levitical establishment. And what is
blasphemy? It is the use of the name of
God, which the Torah reserves for the
High Priest in the Levitical line. Taking
all of this into consideration, Rabbi Lieber hypothesizes that the whole digression on blasphemy is a politicallymotivated polemic against non-Levitical
priests and against a religious role for
women.
By reading the text in this way, she is not
merely attacking a male and elitist bias in
traditional Jewish establishments. She is
also positioning modern Jewish women as
the agents of inclusivity in Jewish life.
Furthermore, that inclusivity is not a radical innovation, but is consistent with ancient folk religion – if you pay attentions to
clues in the text, and read between the
lines of the Torah.
May 14: Behar, Lev 25:1-26:2
May 21: Behukkotai, Lev 26:3-27:34
May 28: Bamidbar, Num 1:1-4:20
Dear Families,
It’s hard to believe the school year is soon coming to a close! What a great year it’s been for our students and families. Some of the events
that Promise at Sinai has supported this year include: Back-to-School Breakfast, transportation for the fall trip to
JCA Shalom Camp, creation of a Teen “NoAr” Loft, weekly snack program for all students, a rockin’ Hanukah
dance party, Teen Walk-a-thon to replant the Carmel Forest in Israel, community-building Purim Carnival, Sunday-morning Yoga classes and contributions to Family Shabbat dinners. We have also enjoyed working with the
Director of Education and the Temple Sinai Board throughout the year.
We are in the process of planning a year-end event to kick-off the summer. Stay tuned for details! We will also
be electing officers for the upcoming year. Please contact us if you are interested in running for an elected position (President, Membership, Fundraising, Treasurer, Secretary) or chairing a committee (Hanukah, Purim,
Snack, Teen liaison).
Thank you for all your support,
Rancy Feldman and Lori Sanford
PAGE 12
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PLEASE NOTE: We do our best to make sure that our calendars are accurate but
schedules can change. For the most upup-toto-date information, please check our
website calendar at www.templesinaipd.org
PAGE 13
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MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N—
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MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
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MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
REMEMBRANCE &
GENERAL FUND TRIBUTES
IN MEMORY OF
Rosalyn Holland, Mother of Cyd Marcus,
Nancy Holland & Penny Holland
By Fred & Kathy Fabricant
Lou Zackov, Friend & Companion of Sybil
Semar
By Charlotte Geier
YAHRZEIT
Marsha Rosen
By Dan Rosen
Bunny Himmelman
By David Himmelman,
Minnetonka, MN
Joseph Glynn
By Alan & Sondra Reitman
Rita Korman
By Jerry & Sherrie Korman
Sheldon Goodman
By Larry & Peggy Neikrug
Rosie Grummer
Frances Chauser
Phillip Grummer
Bernard Eblowitz
Lillian Grauer
By Rhoda Eblowitz
Geraldine Sherrell
By Steven & Bettyann Sherrell
Leon Needleman
By Geri Needleman
Henry Smolinsky
Millie Drucker
By Jacqueline Drucker
Sarah Cooperman
By Dr. Nat & Ethel Cooperman
Shirley Boody
By Diana McGinity
Tybie Proman
By Richard & Susan Proman,
Minnetonka, MN
Carl Bakal
By Adele Garshfield
SIMCHAS
Mazel Tov Elaine Kravitz on your Bat
Mitzvah
By Judy & Jack Sherman, Mill
Valley, CA
Maralyn Atlas, Regina Bragato,
Rollie Freedman, Roz Benjamin
Golden Valley, MN
Sanford & Estelle Silberman
Frances & Bob Miller
Ida Popiel, Denver, CO
Ruth Krieger
Rose & Murray Dunst
Picce & Bob Glast
Thank you for the Aliyah
By Gordon & Eve Kramer
GET WELL WISHES
Granddaughter Alyse
By Geri Reskof
Rabbi Avi Levine
By Kathy Kapler
Nancy & Ed Singer
Bob & Francis Miller
Gordon & Eve Kramer
Harriet Hill
By Jean Fishkin
Elaine Kravitz
Geri Needleman
Geri Reskof
Kathy Kapler
Edna Joss
Helen Grunes
Pearl Grunes
By Renee J. Espar
Fannie Levin
By Barbara & Ira Levin
Paul L. Drucker
By Jacqueline S.Drucker
SIMCHAS
To Adele Garshfield in honor of her
granddaughter’s marriage!
By Delores Steinback
Mazel Tov Elaine Kravitz on your Bat
Mitzvah
By Arnold & Diane Simon
Anuga & Benny Herbst
TZEDAKAH
Alan & Renee Hoffman,
North Hills, N.Y.
KADIMA BUILDING FUND
TZEDAKAH
YAHRZEIT
Lionel & Sidel Weinstein,
Somers, New York
Al Fischer
Hyman & Betty Polsky,
Lincoln, NE
Phyllis & Loren Goodman
Fishers, IN
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY
FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Rolly Silberman
By David & Lisa Goldberg
YAHRZEIT
Edward Cohen
By Barbara Cohen
Hannah Cell
Miriam Siegel
By Jeffrey & Isabel Ann Louis
Edythe Newman
Sophie Jasny
ByJerry & Ruth Newman
Minnie Fiden
By Ruth Fiden
Shirley Surlow
By Leslie S. Surlow
Barney Krieger
By Jack Olshansky
EDUCATOR’S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
YAHRZEIT
Alex Kaplan
By Diane K. Berk
SIMCHAS
Mazel Tov Elaine Kravitz on your Bat
Mitzvah
By Jean Fishkin
Geri Needleman
Edna Joss
Geri Reskof
Kathy Kapler
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 17
SID HANDELMAN
MITZVAH FOOD FUND
YAHRZEIT
MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Bradley H. Jacobs
By Jack & Mitzie Olshansky
\
PASSOVER FLOWERS
George Sugarman
By Jerry & Sherrie Korman
Sid Handelman
By Joan Sorita, Kenmore, WA
Hermione Greene
By Michael & Danielle Green,
Las Vegas, NV
Alan A. Rosenbaum
By Ray & Janice Musante
Fanny Stork
By Daniel & Sona Stork
TZEDAKAH
S.L & Mimi Kopald
Thanks to all members of the Temple Sinai
community who made donations in honor
of our mother, Rozalind B. Holland.
Clara Aquino
LILLY EHRLICH CHILDREN’S
FUND
SIMCHAS
Mazel Tov Elaine Kravitz on your
Bat Mitzvah
By Myrtle & Melvin Peltz
ELENBOGEN CAMPERSHIP
FUND
TZEDAKAH
Beth Frank
CRUVANT LIBRARY FUND
YAHRZEIT
Irving Hayutin
By Sima Hayutin
Nancy Holland, Cyd Marcus, and Penny
Holland
PAGE 18
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
YIDDISH CLUB MEETINGS
HAVE ENDED FOR
THE SEASON.
MEETINGS WILL RESUME
THE FIRST TUESDAY IN
OCTOBER.
MOTHER’S DAY IS
MAY 8TH!!!
PURCHASE SCRIP for your gifts (or give Mom a
scrip card so she can get exactly what she wants.
We have on hand:
Bath & Body Works $10
Bed, Bath & Beyond $25
Overstock.com $25
Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy $25
Target $25/$100
Walmart $25/$100
Grocery scrip and more…
An easy way to support your Temple!!!
MA Y 2 0 1 1 NI S A N— I Y A R , 5 7 7 1
PAGE 20
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Permit No. 75
JOIN US
FOR THE LAST
SHABBAT DINNER
OF THE SEASON
FRIDAY, MAY 20TH, 6 PM
_______Adult(s)
$24 members/$28 nonmembers
$________
______Children (8-12)
$10 members/$13 nonmembers
$________
______Children (under 8)
$5 members/$7 nonmembers
$________
TOTAL $________
Name:________________________________________________________Phone:___________________
Check#_________or Credit Card :_______________________________________Expiration Date:_____