Rabbi`s Message - American Jewish Archives
Transcription
Rabbi`s Message - American Jewish Archives
f ... " I , , ""If1iWJ of] ~~lt~~"JlW VOLUME 45 NUMBER 4 • DECEMBER 1994 FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE .Rabbi's Message RABBI JEROME I~ DA\ '/D PAGElWO • President's Message PAGE FOUR • Men's Club News • Sisterhood News PAGE FIVE • Youth Group News • Contributions PAGE SEVEN • Fun Facts INSERTS • December Calendar • January Calendar Join us at Israel Bond Sbabbat bpnorlng Andy & Bonnie Weiner, recipients of Israel J)onds Shofar Awar.d . Friday evening, Dec;ember 16 at 8:00 p.m. - Temple Emanuel is pleased to announce ~t Andy and Bonnie Weiner will be the recipients of the Israel Bonds Shofar Award on Friday evening, December 16 at 8:00 p.m. The Weiners are both very deserving of this prestigious .award .for their love and. commitment to the State of Israel "and their dedica- tion to ~eir synagogue and community. Bonnie was inspired and touched by her ftrst trip t6 Israel in 1981 and decided at that time that she wanted to become part of its survival. Bonnie has served on many Temple committees. She was Chairperson of the Vietnamese • TEMPLE EMAN~EL NEWSLETTER It can be truly said that everyone in our commu, nlty has been profoundly touched and deeply affe.cted by the tragic death of Carol Neulander. It is as if a member of our own family has been brutally taken from us. And, the question to be found on all of our' lips is .. . "why?" At the time of this writing ma~y questions remain unanswered. The very day on which the news began to ' unfold I met with many of our Hebrew School and Confirmation Academy stUdents in order to listen and respond to their many questions and concerns. Some of their comments were truly inspirational as they spoke about how we. are all part of one family and how such a tragedy reminds one of the basic real and simple bleSSings of life. In our own worship services, the memory of Carol has been lovingly recalled. We extend our deepest sympathy to Rabbi Fred Neulander, his children Becca, Matt and Ben and the Resettlement Committee, a member of the Temple Emanuel Board of Trustees and coordinator of the Conftrmation Class Trip to Israel. Bonnie also served on the Dedication Committee. Additionally, she has participated in the leadership Training Program , sponsored by the Jewish Federation of SQuthem New Jersey. Andy has been President of Temple " Emanuel from 1991 to entire M'kor Shalom con-, ,gregation'. May they derive. comfort and strength from the awareness that each and every one of us feels for their pain and supports 'them in their time of sadness. I have received many , calls from our own members as well as colleagues and friends around the country, asking what one could possibly do as a sign of respect and 10,ve. You may y{ant to consider joining our Executive Board and Board of Trustees in planting a garden ,of trees in Israel ~ Carol's memory, This is a beautiful living tribute and a meaningful way to honor her memory. I end with one more word of advice. Today and every day give one another an extra hug and kiss. Let us not take one another, nor any precious day for granted. let us cling to one another in our grief anq our joy and may Carol's memory inspire us to labor for a world in which every life shall fmd its fulfillment. the present. Previously he has served as Financial Vice PreSident, Treasurer and a member of the Board of Trustees. Andy was also a member of our Steering Committee and Capital Campaign Committee. He is currently President of the Synagogue Presidents Council of Southern New Jersey. ' , Please join us as we honor Andy and Bonnie on this special evening. Chairing the event are Robie and Bob Bloom. Israel Bonds is an mternational organization offering securities-i?sued by the government of Israel. State of Israel Bonds plays a major role in absorbing Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and elsewhere. For more information on Israel Bonds, please call Larry Katz at.(215) 5612663. President's Message ANDREW E. WEINER 7he Finance Committee is continually considering methods to reduce costs and raise income. It is fully aware that membership to this congregation places a substantial financial burden upon our families . One way to support Temple Emanuel financially without incurring any additional expenses is to purchase Scrip through the Sisterhood. This program, if fully supported by the membership, could be a major source of income. For those who are unaware of this program, the Sisterhood purchases gift certificates in various denominations from such places as Shop Rite, Talk ofthe Town, Zagara 's, IGA and Path mark, ~cme and SuperFresh. Sisterhood pays 95% of the face value for these certificates. They are then sold for the face amount to our members who redeem them at the various supermarkets. They are just like cash. It, therefore, costs nothing additional to the member and t)1e Temple receives 5% of the ceI.tificate. When one stops to consider that we have more than 900 families who spend a minimum of $400.00 per month in supermarkets, the income which could ' be derived if this program ~ere supported by the entire membership is supstantiaL Please keep in mind that the Temple budget is formulated by first determining what our needs will be during the coming year and then funding those needs through all sources including dues and fees . In the past we hav~ not considered Scrip as it has not been a source of income. The Budget Committee considers income based on previous experience. This year the Budget does assume a small a~ount of income from Scrip. Your support of Scrip will, next year, translate into a' larger income line on the budget. Obviously, the more success we have with this program leads to more income. Every dollar raised in this manner is one dollar less that has to be raised through dues and fees . The Congregation has the ability, through its support of Scrip to directly affect the amount of dues and fees it must bear. The Sisterhood is now in the process of making the purchase of Scrip as easy as possible. It is available at the Temple office. To obtain add.itional .information, please contact Joyce Hoff at (609) 983-8654. • Save the Date! Family Fun Day Sunday, January 29,1995 1-4 p.m. • TEM PLE EMAN UEL N EW SLETTE R MazelTov New Members Elaine and Burt Kramer.on birth of grandson, Alexander Benjamin Kramer Ben and Dustina Kramer on the birth of their son, Alexander Benjamin Kramer Elaine and Burt Kramer on the marriage of Aaron and Darlene Kramer Audrey and Ron Litto on the engagement of their daughter, Alyssa to Steven Garin We warmly welcome you into our congregational family. James and Stacey Pellen Linda: Klimek Judith Nadell Leo and Mindy Gotlieb 12echer Dmm for an Everlasting M emorial We record with love and dignity those whose lives are forever remembered in our Temple. The following name of a loved one has been added by a devoted family to be enshrined in our Memorial Chapel. ALAN ROSS DILLON Husband of Renee Dillon ELIZABETH COOPER Mother of Howard Cooper ANNE JOSEPH Aunt of Howard Cooper JOHN M. INFANT! and MARGARET M. INFANT! Father and Mother of Bonnie Weiner BRENDA FOX TROMP Cousin of Stephen and Joyce Burnstein Reminder Operation Good Neighbor . Sponsored by Men's Club Volunteer to serve as kitchen help and other auxiliary workers at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on Christmas Day. Contact Julius Rosen at 795-5221. December Bar/Bat Mitzvahs December 3 Bat Mitzvah of ALLISON B. BERGER Daughter of Michael Berger and Linda Rosenzweig December 10 Bar Mitzvah of ANDREW SCHWERIN Son of Ellen and Hugh Schwerin Havdalah Service Bar Mitzvah of DANIEL TODD GOLDSTEIN Son of Judith and Howard Goldstein December 17 Bat Mitzvah of STEPHANIE COHEN Daughter of Barbara and Les Cohen Havdalah Service Bar Mitzvah of JORDAN KATZ Son of Randy Katz in lUemblidih MARTIN GOLDNER Husband·of Ethel Goldner HELEN ROSEN Grandmother of Carol Goldenberg ROSE WEINBERG Mother of Dr. Stephen Weinberg JOSEPH OWEN Grandfather of Daniel and Jonathan Owen DOROTHY' GOURLEY Mother of Cynthia Richman ESTHER RICH Grandmother of David Warhoftig LILJ:,JAN SWERS Mother of Ron Swers Temple Emanuel presents . . . A Hebrew Marathon One day of learning that will last you a lifetime! Learn to read Hebrew in a single day! Sunday, December 18, 1994 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Temple Emanuel, 1101 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ. Lunch and Snacks are included . ji'~in"tjlCONO'~li1l'~~Tn~:l~i"l1in"tjlCNO'~lNO'~lt'~~lMl This is the nationaily famous program that enables adult beginners to learn to read Hebrew and master basic prayers and blessings in just eight hours, led by Rabbi Noah Golinken, the originator of the Hebrew Marathon. Everyone is eligible: - People with no Hebrew background and those who want a refresher course. - People contemplating a conversion or adult barlbat mitzvah - Anyone in the Cherry Hill community. The course fee is $50 .. Please make checks payable to: Temple Emanuel, 1101 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Registration is limited, so send in your check (with name, phone number and number of attendees) right away! For further information call Jean Klein, 489-0035. PAGE TWO Reprinted fromARZA Report, Fall, 1994. Orthodox Stonewall on the Religious Councils Earlier this year, the Israel court. The Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) won a major victory when the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal to bar non-Orthodox representatives from Israel's religious councils. The religiOUS councils oversee the distribution of public funds and, in large part, determine religious· life within their jurisdictions. They handle such matters as kashrut, mikveh (ritual bath), synagogue-oriented outreach, registration of marriages, employment of local rabbiS, and synagogue maintenance. Although the councils serve the whole Jewish population, until now they have been comprised solely of Orthodox Jews and have shown no sensitivity ,to non-Orthodox needs. In January, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously th.at "banning candidates (from religious councils] because of their personal world view constitutes discrimination and contradicts the principle of equality, and therefore must be voided." It turns out that the Orthodox-dominated religious councils are not going to give up easily-even if this means defying the decision of Israel's highest court. The religious councils of Israel's three large cities, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, have all balked at accepting non-Orthodox rabbis. In Jerusalem, Mayor Ehud Olmert did not even submit a list of candidates, even though a new religious council is supposed to be appointed within six months after every municipal election. Leaders of the IMPJ are convinced that Olmert has put off preparing the list .because of the stiff opposition by ultraOrthodox city council members to the presence of Reform and Conservative rabbis. "We have the feeling Olmert is trying to delay because he doesn't know how to deal with the problem of the Haredi [fervently Orthodox] on the city council who find it impOSSible to vote for Conservative and Reform ra.bbis," said Rabbi Eliud Bandel, the Conservative candidate of Meretz. In Haifa, the city council did actu'ally meet to consider Reform and Conservative candidates for the Haifa religious council, but the city council then rejected them-a move which resulted in a lawsuit filed by the non-Ortho- Congratulations to Geoff Soffer . . . for landing a role in the world premiere of An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grande Beouf, at the Arden Theatre, 10th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia. Performances from November 10 through December 11. Geoff-your Temple family wishes you the best of luck! • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER dox movements, claiming contempt of court bv the Haifa city council. In Tel Aviv, Reform Rabbi Meir Azari 01 Beit Daniel Congregation is at the center of a political firestorm. After his name was submitted by Meretz as its representative, the ultraOrthodox members of the city council went ballistic, threatening to create a coalition crisis in Tel Aviv unless Rabbi Azari's name was dropped. The chairman of the city council postponed discussing Azari's candidacy until its next meeting, during which time the ultraOrthodox intend to pressure the other members to drop Azari from the list. "No way," said Mordechai Virshuvsky, chairman of the Meretz bloc in the Tel Aviv council . whose support for Azari is solid and unyielding. "We have waited for years [to place a reform rabbi on the religiOUS council], so we'll wait a few more days. The Supreme Court has already ruled in our favor. " The religious councils' experience high- ' lights ReformJudaism's struggle in Israel. Even if the Israeli Courts rule in its favor, the opposition to Reform Judaism by the Orthodox establishment is so ferocious, and the political power it wields so immense, that often Supreme Court rulings are simply ignored. I) Support ARZA. Send in your $25 check to Temple Emanuel and specify for ARZA membership. New Tax Law Information Many cong!egants have been inquiring about the new tax laws and their impact concerning payments and contributions to the synagogue. For your benefit, we have reprinted the follOwing article with the permission of "Reform judaism" magazine. Individual questions should be directed to your tax advisor. New Rules for Temple Tax Deductions The recently enacted Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 will have a direct impact on how payments and contributions to synagogues are substantiated for tax deductions. The Ida and Howard Wilkoff Department of Synagogue Management has prepared and sent out material to congregations on the subject. In addition the Department has received many calls requesting additional information. Joseph Bernstein director of the Department presented the most often asked questions to Burton Lipsky a New York City tax attorney and a member and foriner treasurer of Westchester Reform Temple of Scars- · dale New York. Are synagogue dues and building fund payments tax deductible? Dues and building fund payments remain tax deductible under the new law. However, to substantiate deductions for synagogue dues and bUilding fund payments, congrega'nts will not be able to rely solely on cancelled checks. For payments of $250 or more, congregants will have to have a written acknowledgment from the synagogue at the time the dues payment is claimed as a deduction on a federal income tax return. Are religious school and bar and bat mitzvah fees tax deductible? . The long standing published position of the Internal Revenue Service is that religiOUS school fees are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution. The IRS bases its position on the premise that the congregant is receiving a direct benefit from the payment-the education of his or her child-and, therefore, there is no gift element to the payment. In my opinion, the IRS would similarly find' that bar and bat mitzvah fees are ,not tax deductible. membership for those members with chUdren in religiOUS school and another with no children in religious school? The Internal Revenue Service would fmd, as it did in a published ruling in 1983, that the difference in membership dues was really a disguised r.!'!ligious school payment and to that extent, the hidden membership dues payment would not be deductible. What kind of substantiation does the synagogue have to provide to the congregant for donations of $250 or more? Starting in 1994, the ~tten acknowledgment must include the following information: (1) the amount of cash and a description (but not the value) of any property other than cash contributed; (2) whether the synagogue provided any goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part, for the contribution; and (3) description and good faith estimate of the value of those goods· .or services or, if the goods and services consist entirely of intangible religious benefits, a statement to that effect. What about donations under $250? A congregant making a charitable contribution of less than $250 must keep a canContinued on page 7 All Singles (Ages 30-55) Join Usfor Shabbat Services Friday, December 9, 1994 at 8:00 p.m. Call Meryl Ginsburg at 854-6577 for more information. Can a congregation have one prlce of PAGE THREE By Joyce Hoff, President By David Oberlander, President Sunny'skies, stiff breezes and an excellent course greeted the golfers as our third annual golf outing was held on September 29. With a boost from our hole sponsors, the outing was a fmancial success as well as an enjoyable day for all participants. Thanks to Ken Korach for organizing the event. State Senator John Adler was the speaker at our ftrst general membership breakfast of the year, on October 30'. Senator Adler discussed tort reform, school funding, insurance premiums and many of the other iss).l<!s facing the state legislature. At our next membership meeting, to be held on January 15, Dr.Mark Sobel will disucss sports medicine. All of the speakers at our membership meetings this ·year, including Sen. Adler and Dr. Sobel, are Temple members. We will again be proViding volunteers to serve as .Christmas Day replacements for kitchen help and other auxiliary workers at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital this year. This is the twenty-fifth consecutive year that the Men's Club has sponsored this proje~t, which we call Operation Good Neighbor. If you would be interested in giving these workers the opportunity to.spend the holiday with their families, please contact Julius Rosen at 795-522l. Our annual sports breakfast is scheduled for February 5, 1995. A well-known local sports personality has agreed to be our speaker. Watch for the formal announcement. Other events in the near future will include a dance which we co-sponsor with Sisterhood on February 11, and our annual ski trip on March 5. If you would like to learn more about the Men's Club, please call Carl Grossberg, our Membership Vice-President at 751-6349. Tzedakah Food Project By Pearl Braunstein, 424-2238 During the holiday season consider making a holiday meal to share with elderly homebound citizens. They should be labeled and dated and brought to the Temple to be put in the freezer. I will make arrangemel1ts to see that they go to EI Centro for distribution. We will assemble casseroles on Tuesday, December 13th and January 1Qth, 1995 at 7:00 p .m. in the kitchen. The casseroles go -to Neighborhood Center to provide lunch meals. Continue to bring non-perishable canned goOds when corriing to the Temple. The need is always present. If you have clothing to contribute please put it in plastic bags and call for directions to drop it off at my home. I will see that it gets to an agency. Children's clothing is always needed. Thank · you for your support of all the above projects. Each bit of support and ca.ring goes a long way to make our community better. Shalom. • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER I n October, six members of the Sisterhood Executive Board had the opportunity to attend the. convention of Women of Reform Judaism. This is the umbrella organization for over 60'0' Temple Sisterhoods throughout the U.S. , Canada and thirteen other countries, with a membership of 100,000. women. The purpose of Women of Reform Judaism is to present programs and projects to advance and strengthen Reform Judaism, the synagogue and Jewish humanitarian causes. Some of the programs promoted through WRJ are the Y.E.S. Fund which ?rOvides scholarships Temple Emanuel. By Audrey Litto Roses are red, violets are bluish At The Pre-School at Temple Emanuel it's exciting to be Jewish. Each of our age groups learns a different Jewish theme, Learning lifelong values is really the dream. Holidays, from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Ha'Atzma'ut Make each and every season a time to celebrate and shout. So many special times with oUf Cantor and Rabbis, Our children really' know the meaping of a spiritual high. _ And luckily for all Qf us the wait is. oh so short, For every week we have a celebration of a most incredible sort. We never have to wait a year for a special time to come, For every week we celebrate and welcome . Shabbat Shalom. Our children learn of Torah and of the tales the Torah does tell, Being Jewish is a wonderous joy at The Pre-School at Temple Emanuel. for Rabbis studying at HUC; World Union for Progressive Judaism, which is the aff. . liate which supports Reform and Liberal congregations throughout the world; and Service to the Blind. We spent an extensive day, ftrst studying the Torah portion, then splitting up into workshops which concentrated on Spirituality, Study, Sodal Justice and Sisterhood. We were very fortunate to have joining us Rabbi Musnitsky, Rabbi Abraham, Rabbi Marks, Rabbi Levine and many executive members of Women of Reform Judaism. The day was concluded with the Havdalah service led by our own Sisterhood. Temple Emanuel Siste~hood is a full dues paying member of Women of Reform Judaism. We feel it is important to stay connected to such a strong organization. We have taken the time to learn more about the advancement 6f Judaism on a national level. Please take time to find out about our Sisterhood. You've made a committment to Judaism by becoming congregants, now take .t he next step and make your connection by joining Sisterhood. A committee has been formed to design and create a new Chupa. Their next meeting is December 15th at 7:30' p .m. If you are interested in participating on this project call Barbara Wasserman at 424-9004. A very special thank you to the Hanukkah Bazaar Committee. These ladies worked on the baz?ar for six months. All their hard work paid off. Have you purchased your grocery scrip this week? A supply is on hand in the Temple office as well as from our sCrip sellers. Call Alison Schoor at 429-0219 for your order today. The members of the Sisterhood would like to wish you all a healthy, happy New Year. ENTERTAINMENT '95 BOOKS Entertainment '95 books for SouthJersey and Philadelphia East are available at the Simcha Shop or by calling Pearl Braunstein at 424-2238. If you want any other editions they can be ordered and will be sent by UPS. Cost of the books is $40' and they make excellent gifts for the holiday. Temple Emanuel Students Honored at Hebrew Honor Society Luncheon Left to right, 1st Row: Rachel Epstein, Noelle Stanley, Mrs. Sarah _ Ritzner-teacher, Kammy Heffernan, Elyse Conde. Left to right, 2nd Row: Jessica Wachstein, Rabbi Susan Marks-Asst. Regional Director, Federation of-Reform Synagogues of Greater Philadelphia, PA Council UAHC, Rita Beck. PAGE FOUR taJendar o} ':Events ~ecember 1994 MONDA) SUNDAY FI{I[MY WEDNESDAY lUESDA' I'HO" f r-.o., Administration' 489-0029 . .1 7:00 p.m. Candle-lighting! Kiddush Class Fax 489-0032 T E MP 'LE E'MANUEL Religious School 489-0035 A Reform Congregation Where Warmth and Tradition Meet · The Pre-School at Temple Emanuel 1101 Springdale Roa.d Cherty Hill, New Jersey 08003-2900 2 6:00 p.m. . Hanukkah Festival . Dinner 7:q.D p.m. Tot Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Family Service · 10:30 a.m. . Shabba£ Morning Service Bat MitzVah of Allison B. Berger 3 489-0034 Simcha Gift Shop 424-1222 5 9:30 a.m. 4 <;:hoir Practice . 8:00 p.m. ExecUtive· Board Meeting ,Back to School! Education Sunday ~ " - , 11 9:30 a.m. Choir Practice 8:00 p .m. TE Board of Trustees Meeting 11:45 a.m . 6 Adult Beginning Heorew 12:30 p .m. Adult Intel}Tlediate Hebrew 1:15 p .m. Bible Class 7 13 12 Nbon 14 Senior Group 12:30 p.m. Adult Intermediate Hebrew 7:00 p.m. Casserole C90king Project 8 , 8:00 p.m. 9 Shabbat Evening Service Singles Shabbat , C3~55) Brown Bag Lunch & Discussion 15 7:30 p.m. Sisterhood B~ard Meeting 10:30 a.m. 10 Shabbat Morning Service Bar Mitzvah of Andrew Schwerin 6:15p.m. Havdalah Service , Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Todd Golds,t ein _ 17 16 10:30 a.m. Shabbat·Morning Service Bat Mitzvah of Stephanie Cohen . 6:30 p'.rn. Havdalah Service Bar Mitzvah of Jo~ Katz 23. 10':30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service Israel Bond Shabba~ , II~ 12 . < Co' ~. 18 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p .m. Hebrew Marathon I: 9:00 a.m. Adult Supday School 19 9:00 a.m. , Brotherhood Board Meeting 20 11:45 a.m. Adult Beginning Hebrew 12:30 p .m. Adult Intermediate Hebrew 1:15 p .m. Bible Class 21 6:45 p .m. Temple Tales 22 . 8:00 p .m . Shabbat Evening Service 24 , ': 9:30 a.m. Choir Practice No School , 25 Operation Good Neighbor 26 28 27 , - ~==========~=='=== f == - ==~ 10:30 a.m. . . 31 '-----,-------' '--------:-'.~ .- , . 29 30 8:00 p.m:. Shabbat , Evening Service Shabbat Mo~g Service , No School • . ~ No School TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER No School No School , . CALENDAR Or-.lE DAVE FlLAN puppet shows kids love - Plumbing & Heating -,P ARTY P~'; PPET·S" . I ' LINDA LOWENTHAL Complete Emergency Services • Bathroom Remodeling "Visit Our Showroom" Hot-Water Heaters • Sump Pumps. Garbage Disposals ~ ' . ' 1=~ :. board certified electrologists . Chloe handler. c.p.e., c.C.S. doris gambardello, c.c.e. kathy dischert. c.p.e. '. lASER KARAOKE DISC JOCKEYS VIDEO TAPING STIli. PHOTOGRAPHY • • • • VIDEO DANCE PARTIES WINNERS BO(YIl1-<:ASH BOX UP SYNC-MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC VIDEO KROON-A·TUNE PORTABLE RECORDING STUDIOS HarWelnberg President HEALING CENTER "~DEO PRODUCTIONS ~4. • • • • 14 W, Dartmouth Road. BaIa CynNyd. PA 19004 (215) 667-6262. (800) 53 PURPLE. FAX (215) 664·3805 The .RESPLER Plumbing lie. Number 5256 ONE CALL DOES IT ALL! 2001 Berlin Road Cherry Hill, NJ 080D3 ossocoles. Inc ",. atrlI..rn medIcaiI-dentaI center 1010 route 70 at _prir'IgdIaIe roed CihetTY hill, new JerMY 08003 1816 Gordon Ave., Cherry Hill, NJ 1 -800-262-9442 609-428-9442 :,-:_, chlmtdler ~ 751-8118 Bernard A. Platt, Manager Harry A. Platt, Director (609) 439·0300 -' Pastoral Care and Counseling Caffigraphy Experience, Quality, Service :ForJlrrOccasions Sandy Umansky 609-429-6227 • Weddings· BarlBat Mitzvahs· Video Albums Ronald W Kaplan; Rabbi, c.P.c. .1124·4944 Alan Respler 1892 Greentree Road Cherry Hill, N] 08034-4460 (609) 489-0077 , Invitations b Birth Announcements Personalized Stationery b Sign-In Boards Calligraphy b Gifts ,., Party Favon Discounted Prices ~p ·@nVlttdion Barbara Silverman 6~67'{)671 Roberta Sih'ennan or 609-667'{)799 ~rjJ'lS ~9<un~ Martins Run is a full. service retirement For free brochure, community with lifetime medical care. , call 610·353· 7660. o Garden apartmenu .0 Cultural &. 80clal Outside .610, call activities 0 Sabbath services • Kosher dining 1-800-327-3875. • Located in suburban Philadelphia • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER rJ? Video Photography W~ [ InterMtlonal St.ncMrds 8 mm Mcwie., or Slides transferred to Videotape ConYelSKm Superior Broadcast ~quipment. "THA for All Occasions b Like bagels, retirement communities come in different sizes, shapes, even flavors. . -By Appointment Only- . ~ ' NORM THE CATERER TAMMY L. BLANKfIELD 3275 Stokely Street P,O. Box 43173 Philadelphia. PA 19129-3173 215/84HOOO fAX: 215/ 438-4004 rs QUALJ7Y!" "KEEP YOUR PRECIOUS MOMENTS FOREVER" (609) 931-9467 • 417 First Ave .• Bellmawr. I'IJ Su.,,". • 0,... _ • HI". EMr'" • 111", y",* S'~/c ~31 Elllerfal_ TIM -,~li4t " III! SMui You, Gu ... HOUI 7b Haw Fu." Ric. GOW....... .IAG.......... (6H),......, r..... c__•• A....lence ""'rtkl,...U..... H""NC/Da~. T_ ADS ONE .; LbMBbaf oj Evenis January 1995 SU~[)A\ MOI\;DAY 2 1 9:15 a.m. 8 Breakfast and Conversation with the Rabbis TUESDAY 8:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting 9 \\EDNf~DAY 8:00 p.m. 3 Executive Board Meeting 4 11:45 a.m. 10 Adult Beginning Hebrew 7:30 p.m. 11 Introduction to Judaism THUR.,DA\ fRIDAY 7:00 p.m. 5 Candle-lighting & Kiddush Class 7:00 p .m. Tot Shabbat 12 . 12:30 p .m. Adult Intermediate Hebrew ,,"TURD" \ 6 7 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service 7:30 p .m. Shabbat Evening Family Service Bat Mitzvah of Lauren Cohan and Rachel Lauren Wenger 8:00 b ,m. 13 Shab at Evening Service Martin Luther King, Jr.Shabbat RabbtDavtd Wortman, 10:30 a .m. Shabbat Morning Service . Bat Mitzvah of Andrea Seltzer 14 6:15 p.m. Havdalah Service Bar Mitzvah of Josbua Smith Seigle Guest Speaker 1:15 p .m. Bible Class , , c 9:15 p.m. Men's Club Breakfast Meeting 16 15 12:30 p.m. 1 7 Adult Int. Heb. 7:30 p.m. 18 TuB'Shevat Seder 7:30 p .m. Sisterhood Meeting 8:00 p.m. 20 Shabbat Evening Service 19 6:45 p.m. . Tefty Winter Convention at Temple Emanuel (thru Sunday) Temple Tales 10:30 a .m. Shabbat Morning Service 21 Bar Mitzvah of Charles Haas Tefty Dinner . 22 9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School 23 I." Tefty Breakfast 11:45 a.m. 24 .Adult Beginning Hebrew 7:30 p.m. 25 Introduction to Judaism 26 - 8:00 p.m. 27 Shabbat Evening Service 9:30 a.m. 28 Shabbat M011).ing Service with R.S. 9th Grade Trip 12:30 p .m. Adult Intermediate Hebrew 1:15 p.m. Bible Class Family Fun Day 29 30 9th Grade Trip . , ., • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER 31 Non: "HONE NO.s Babysitting Service is Administration ' available at Friday 489-0029 Evening Shabbat Fax Services. 489-0032 School Emergency Religious School Closing Numbers: 489-0035 on KYW(T060AM) The Pre-School at 63B 2638 (Tues. & Wed. Temple Emanuel 489c 0034 Evenings - 6-T2th Simcha Gift Shop grades) 424-1222 1255 (Pre-School) Telephone: 424-1222 & Gifts for All Occasions HOURS: Tuesday & Wednesday 10-9 Thursday 10-0 · Fripay & Sunday 10-1 CALENDAR TWO .' forrest flowers' The Marketplace 1990 Route 70 Unique accessories, jewel'ry, collectables and wearable art q-y Hut, NJ 08003 (609) 7S 1· 7799 130' Woodcrest Center Cherry Hill , NJ 08003 (609) 429-6406 , RUTH RESPLER personal touch catering barry & ellen Doris &:Don Chorney li~himson 609-782-9315 PEIlSONAL AND BUSINESS STATIONERY ACCESSORIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS "CLOTHES FOR HER" " 130 WOODCREST CENTER CHERRY !;iILL, N.J. 08003 PAATY PLANNING' FAVORS' DECORATIONS SIGN·IN BOARDS' KIPPAS • KETUBAHS (609) 424-4944 PERSONALIZED HOLIDAY CARDS' VIDEO .. 'Wesley ~ Pollock , DISTINCTIVE KOSHER CATERING 807 ,HOPKINS ROAD ' HADDONAELQ. NEW JERSEY 08033 , (609) 428-7833 ma rl yn Hartford life ' Insurance Co., Special Rate Fixed Annuity -Rate: 8.00% Maturity: 1.0 years guaranteed (609) 429-6789 . CH 2 · 5812 224·0480 E([1WO'tth .:Scott a.nd cStaff, [fnc. PARTY ARCHITECTS -Income distributed or reinvested! P .O . BOX NO. 27559 Paine Webber Inc. Ron S. Gruber M.B.A. PHILA.. PA 19118 ELLSWORTH SCOTT (800) 523-4144 , . , , or . (21:5) 972-6S61 . )'gmt ~nt~Jnttb ~tni~ Tires by _.' . GROU,P . , , . . . , DISCOUNr TIre PROGRAM N.t:lon.1 «tnatWt Jad! Jlaniq _Ie For Temple Emanuel Members Good only at Chen]' Kill NTW. Not app/it:lIbk with any other discount. , SHARON SCHWARTZ (609) 424.94~7 David Lawrence Caterers. Sociai Event, Corporate, and Industri~IVideo Larry Rashkow (215) 698-6600 (800) 827-6601 Outside PA 14250 B,ustleton Avenue Philadelphia, PA 1Ql16 3300 Neshaminy Blvd. Suile It 110 Bensalem, Pa. 19020 Sieve Wernick (215) 750·7797 (609) 778·0033 1805 Route 70 W , Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 • 665-3800 SHERI'S SHlIDES Cusfom Window Treatments Shop-At-Home Service Call For Free Estimate Additional' 10% Discount for T.E. Members Sheri Kuch in , • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSl~TTER . (609) 354-9336 ADS TWO ---------.----~~------cc-__._c_~___;_o_-~- BySandy Umansky By Rene Batterman A HiStory of God The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by Karen Armstrong in The History of God, Annstrong traces the ways in which the J~ws' sense of God was shaped by their exile, why the ,notion of the Trinity became so crucial in Orthodox Christianity and how Islam developed a spirituality uniquely sulted to Arab traditions, She also eXamines how God has been viewed by Sartre, Nietzsche, and Freud, The Sacrifice of Tamar" by Naomi J?agen _ After being raped, Tamar, the young wife of a brilliant rabbi, chooses to conceal the crime. Soon, she discovers that she is pregn<J.nt and wrestles with a moral decision she is ill equipped to make. Ragen continues to describe tu:e in the. ultra-orthodox Jewish com_munities,of the United States and Israel. She paints a picture of a rigid, unyielding p~ople for whom true tolerance an9 understanding is a luxury only the most saintly can afford, and she juxtaposes the more worldly modem orthodox as a positive alternative. '. , After All These Years by Susan Isaacs After All These ' Yea~ is a murder mystery featuring a newly-rich Jewish family, Richie Meyers, a high school mathematics teacher, turned multi-millkmaire research firm owner, is the victim. His wife, Rosie, a high school English teacher, is .the suspected murderer w)1o ultimately ,must be responsible for prov. ing het own innocence. ' The Pre-School at 'TempleEmanuelPriority Registration ' for'95~96 H anukkah is a time of establishing 'and confirming oUF Jewish roots; it is also ·a time to be grateful for all that we have. Youth Groups here at Temple Emanuel are particularly blessed. Not oruy do we have the opportunity to gflthe·r mont~ly for outstanding social events; but we can express' our Jewish identity as well. Please consider this column a neverending invitation to join us: you'll always be welcomed and appreciated, The Senior Group Brown Bag Lunch & Discussion Wednesday, December 14 at Noon Join the Senior Group for discussion about the rituals, customs and traditions ' regarding the "Mikvah." Bring YOUT own lunch, we will .supply the coffee and cookies. After lunch, we will be headed to Mikvah Sons of Israel for a tour of the facilities . Men and women are invited. Please call the Temple Office to R.S.v.P. • TE~PLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER . ,we &raie}ui{y Acknowkage Your Contributions . O ur Temple Funds provide a beautiful way in which you may .r emember someone special and at the same time help to ,maintain several worthwhile synagogue projects. Acknowledgement of your contribution is made in our monthly bulletin. The family .of the deceased, or the individual being honored, is notified by the Temple of your generoSity. So many of our families find that in, times of joy .as in times 'of sorrow, this is an appropriate means of sharing with others. Deadline for insertion in The Light is the ftrst day of the previous month. Minimum contribution is $5. Donor • Jewish National Fund In memory of Marshall & Myrna Fineman Norman Heine; Stanley Chorney The Pre-School at Temple Emanuel is now Debby & Alan Soler Stanley Chorney making plans for tbe1995-1996 school year. , Nonna & Leon Goldberg Itzie Kaptan; Nonnan Sanders' sister JoyC;C, Man, David, Brian 11< Philip Hoff Louis Bishov Priority registration is .available for Temple Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Bronstein ' Jeanette Spector; Emanuel congtegants. Please call the PreMorris Bronstein School office for more information at 489Felix & Inge Bass ' Marie Loeb Jane, Chuck, Allison & Renee Vortreflich Stanley Chorney 0034. Guillermo, Liliana, Paul, Karen & Julia Elkouss MarvIn Ehrlich; Stanley Chorney Daureen & Garry Gutterman Rita Samen Helene &Stephen Cohen Rita Botel Mimi, Mark, Ian &Alexis Cherry • M. Elizabeth Gray Ian Wachstein Norman Heine Paula, Marty, Sam, Max & Sara Levine Beverly Elliot; Ed , Bennan; Jeffrey Heffernan We need artisans, ·craftspersons, hobbyists, Dave, Sheila, Bill & Steve Goldberg Cannine Aliberti and all talented Temple members to show and ' Marilyn Klrshbaum & Family Helen Tanski Lester Lappin tell your stuff. . Adele Oberlander Jessica Mane1is' 2nd Grade Sunday School Classes Rabbi Edwin Please call Lucy Schwarz at 627-1272 for • . N. Soslow more information. Nina Jaffe's 1st Grade Sunday School Classes Rabbi Edwin N. Soslow In honoroCDonor Burt Wellenbach's 75th birthday Doris &Don Chorney Let's A.C. T. for Temple Enianuel TWEEN CANTEENERS have so much energy and enthusiasm that each event becomes a "happening." Exhilarama will be followed by a bowling paqy-watch for flyers soon. SHOMRIM, our 7th and 8th graders, joined the community for the Safam concert. This was immediately followed by a~ ice skating event. look for our ski trip, SHOMIuM'ers-it's coming~ . TEFIY is ever on the go. NFIY/PAR (National Federation of Temple Youth/Pennsylvania Area Region) ran our first New Members Convention, immediately followed by Fall Kallah at Camp Harlam. I know that TEF,rY had the largest Youth Group contingency mere-way to go, Temple Emanuel! Our social event at TofaIiy Tubular should be' amazing. We're then hosting the Temple's Hanukkah Family Dinner. Flyers ate also out for December's trip , to see Tommy. With 'Over 60 members, TEFIY is defmitely a powerful force in our community's You,th Programffiing . All of this represents a lot of hard workand love--but it's all worth it. Why don't you try Youth Group this year?? Midge &Henry Raich Woody Pollock Susan &Michael Greenberg ' Jenny Slat's Bat Mitzvah Claire & Art!Iur Spechler's 50th aru,tiversary Claire &Arthur Spechler~s 50th anniversary The Rothman Family Aileen Cwanger . in appreciation Helene & Stephen Cohen David-Goldfarb's Bar Mitzvah The Ittleman Family Birth of Jake Kritzer Aimee, Bob, Jake & Usa Allin Rabbi David, Rabbi MUSIIilsky & CantorSherman's beautiful service for Jake's Bar Mitzvah Building Fund, Donor Rae Brown Mr. & Mrs. Frederic Lutz Gerri & Art .Rudner Gerri & Art Rudner , In memory of ,Benjamin Brown Samuel 1- Lutz , lWSanders Nancy Toll Perilstein's Grandmother 'Ann Schwartz Martin Goldner Mr. & Mrs. ,Sidney Seidner Miriam Seidner Mr.,& MrS. Theodore Spivak Oscar Yoblick Pauline B. Wolf Mr. & Mrs. EdgarWo!f,Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Wolf Joseph W. Wolf Mi. & Mrs. Edgar Wolf, Jr. Irene B. Brandes . ' In honor of Donor Celia Ginsberg ~arty'G~sm:ui'sspeedy recovery B'naj Mitzvah of Evan & Judy & Howard ~ldstein Samantha Zweben DatyI& Stuart Hershaff Jonathan HershafI's Bar Mitzvah Marty Glassman's speedy recovery . Paul & Beverly Ittleman Audrey & Ron Utto Marty Glassman's speedy and complete recovery Gerri &Art Rudner Neal <;Upersmith's Harry S. . Feller Memorial Award Doris & Mal Shreibman BeVerly & Paul Itt!eman's _ participation in Founders Wall .Maddie, Glenn, Ryan &Stacey Silverman Helen. Gordon's speedy recovery Rabbis' Good Works Fund Donor Robin & Ed Cogan . Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Joseph Herb & Harriet Nelson Helen 'Rud'd Warren & Carole Rudner Richard & Lucia Stanley & family Marc & Margery Tarsbis In memory of Frances Levy Charles Joseph Abt;tham Block Belle Dorman Todd Rudner Sam.Skolnick Fran Tennen~ PAGE FIVE we traiejuUy AcknowWdge Dr. & Mrs. Frank Orland Your Contributions Carole Paskow Rabbis' Good Works Fund Continued Donor In honor of Dr. &MrS.KurtBornze .Rabbi Musnitsky's services Sharren &Dave Filan Alyssa Uttos's engagement to Steven Rabbi David's services Gloria &Marvin Fink Stephen Fink & family Rabbi David's services DarYl &Stuan Hershaff Jonathan Herihaff's Bar Mitzvah Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Jacovitz Rabbis services Retha & Howard Altman's Zelda &Irv Joffe 25th Wedding Anniversary Sally &Harvey Kane &family Sally Kane reading from Torah on Yom Kippur Rabbi David's services Betsy & Scott Kapulskey Irene & Larry Kauffman & family Rabbi David's services Rabbi David's services; David &Nancy Oberlander Rabbi Musnitsky's services Rabbi David's services Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Rosenfield Bernard &Dorothy Sturmack Rabbi Musnitsky's services Temple Emanuel Sisterhood Steven Fred Oberlander's birth; , Tricia Thurm; Susan Levy; Susan Heffernan; Karen Borish; Helaine Weiss Dr. &Mrs. Arthur Thurm Bat Mitzvah of Allison Sutlas Rabbi Edwin N. Soslow Endowment Fund Donor Mr.& Mrs. Alvin Chess Mr. &Mrs. Murray Fineman Mr. &Mrs. Robert Karpf Arlene Soslow In memory of Sara Scharf Isadore B.Fineman Jerome Deutsch Herman Soslow Donor In .h onor of Barbara &Roberta Silverman M;u1y Glassman's speedy recovery Marilyn, David, Seth, Mitchell Silverstein Alyssa Utto~s engagement to Steven Phyllis, Malcolm, Chuck & Les Trobman Alyssa Utto's engagement to Steven Garin Jane, Chuck, Allison & Renee Vortrellich Alyssa Utto's ~gagement to Steve Garin Scholarship Fund Donor In memory of Rhoda &Barry Abrams Carol Neulander Mr. &Mrs. Albert Auslander Bessie Auslander Sally& BeiI Baker Martin Goldner 'Marian &Paul Baratz Larry Berger Ellene &Bob Bassman Judge Heine Elaine Blick Herbert Greenberg Robie &Bob Bloom &family Rose Weinberg Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Borow Matilda Unde Frances Brotman Victor Brotman Miriam Bush Harry L. Barroway Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Builer Thelma Buder Marlane, Harry, Michael &Adam Cygler illlian Swers Sheila Dyan Stanley Chorney Mr. &Mrs. Jon Forman Dr. Sidney Forman Mr. & Mrs.Roy Frankel Clara Halpern Shirley &Roy Franilel Carol Neulander Suzanne, Gary, Jennifer &Becky Freed Stanley Chorney Mr. &Mrs. Robert Fritsch Harry Fritz . Mr. &Mrs. Arthur Gelman . Morris Gelman Dr. &Mrs. Marshall Gerson ManueiShocket Mr. & Mrs. Sol Gitomer Simon Rotman illlian Greenberg Herbert Greenberg Mr. &Mrs. Robert Greenberg Ida Greenberg Dr. &Mrs. Melvin S. Gruber Melissa Karen Gruber Mr. &Mrs.]onathan Gundling Besse S. Hertz Rachelle Hershovitz William Hershovitz Daniel Hutz Hanna Reddick Mr. &Mrs. Herbert Jacobson Herbert I. Keroes Randy Katz Martin Katz Jordan & Justin Katz Martin S. Katz Dr. &Mrs. Leonid Khazan Lea Tolchinskaya Mr. &Mrs.Ronald Klein Max Zucker Mr. &Mrs. Tanfield Kotlikoff Louis Jacob Kotlikoff; Charles H. Auerbach Helen Elveback Lefevre Mr. &Mrs. Carl Lefevre Brenda Fox Tromp Pearl Lerner Alain Cohen Mr. &Mrs.Victor Levi Rose Rosenthal Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Upkin Mr. &Mrs. Sanford Meade Nat Tollner • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER Anna Orland Theodore Paskow , Mr. &Mrs. Herman Romash Moe Smith; Gussie Smith Mr. &Mrs. Bernard Rosenberg Charles Rosenberg Marlyn Rosenblum Sylvia Rosenblum Dr. & Mrs. Julius Rosen Benjamin Sevran Mr. &Mrs. Howard Rosen Elizabeth HarrIs Rosen Beryl Rosner Leon Strat Anita Rothstein Zelda Morris Helen Samuel Nathan Bell Henryka Schneider Sandy Samuel Schneider Lois Schumm Caml Trencher Luftig Mr. & Mrs. Harold Sherman Reubin Sherman Howard & Mary Sherman Martin Goldner Rosalie &Ivan Sberman Martin Goldner Mr. &Mrs. Andy Shull Craig Brian Katz Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Solomon Nathan Solomon; Beatrice Solomon Mr. &~. Edgar Van Keuren III Veronica Sac~ Donor In honor of Rhoda & Barry Abrams . Joyce Olin's continued recovery; Betty Deitch's continued recovery Marian &.Paul Baratz Russ Janoft's speedy ~ecovery Ellene &Bob Bassman Jack Fleishman's special birthday 'Robie &Bob Bloom & famlly Alyssa Utto's engagement to Steven Garin; Steven Fred Oberlander's birth Ada Brill High Hollday Services Mitchell & Meryl Davis Eric Dannenbaum; Max David Grossman Judy & Richard Franken Birth of Gloria & Marvin Fmk's granddaughter Leslie Brenda &Ken Korach Dr. Janine Sobel's recognition by Federation Richard &Lucia Stanley & family Blake Ru40w's Bar Mitzvah Mr. & Mrs. J. Strip · Retha &Howard Altman's long friendship. Jane Vorireflich Dr. Janine Sobel receiving the . Shellie Greenspun Award Torah Fund Donor Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Primost In memory of Michael Magyar Donor In honor of Daryl &Stuart Hershalf Jonathan Hershaff's Bar Mitzvah Sally &Harvey Kane &family Marriage of Steven & Holly Garber Dorman:Raich Speakers Fund Donor In honor of Brenda &Ken Korach Steven Fred Oberlander's birth Carl &Harriette Lefevre Steven Fred Oberlander Adele Oberlander Helen Trautenberg's speedy recovery Nancy & David Oberlander Dr. Henry Raich's speedy recovery Joyce & Bob Olin Joan Muller's special birthday Art/Musewn Fund Donor Daryl &Stuart Hershaff Janet Ri~ In honor of Jonathan Hershaff's Bar Mitzvah Retha & Howard Altman's anniversary library Fund Donor Mr. &Mrs. Felix Bass Claire &Morton Jacobs In memory of Ida Bass Beatrice Jacobs; Harry Simon Jacobs; . Rose Brown Cohen Mr. &Mrs. Phillip Miller S/tirley Levine Alan Tepper Frances Tennenbaum Rose Weinberg Barbara & Stan Rekant Donor Gloria &Marvin Fink Daryl &Stuart Hershalf Claire & Morton Jacobs In honor of Allison Sutlas' Bat Mitzvah Jonathan Hershaff's Bar Mitzvah Helen Trautenberg's speedy recovery; Steven Fred Oberlander; Bar Mitzvah of 'grandson of Elaine &0 Bob Kooperstein Nancy &David Oberlander Dr. Janine Sobel's Shellie . Greenspun Award Adele Oberlander Retha &Howard Altman's special anniversary Prayerbook Fund. Donor In memory of Ellen &Lee Aguiar &fa(nily Sylvia Novack Mr. &Mrs. Milton Bell Nathan Bell; Belle Dorman Penny &Ralph Hirsch & Aunt Hanna Sylvia Novack Maddie & Glenn Silverman Norman Heine Donor Jan &Larry Foster &family In honor of Alyssa Uno's engagement to Steve Tax Law Information Continued from page 3 celled check, a.receipt, or other written records to substantiate the contriBution. A congregation is baving a dinner dance and tbe admisswnfee is a contribution of more tban $75. What is tbe obligation of tbe synagogue to tbe member regarding tbe amount allocated for tbe dinner and tbe amount al/ucatedfor tbe donation? Starting in 1994, a synagogu.e that receives a quid pro quo contribution in excess of $75 must provide a written statement in connection with soliciting or receiving the contribution that (1) infonns the congregant that the deductible amount of the contribution for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of the amount of any money (and the value of any property other than money) contributed by the congregant over the value of th.e goods and services provided by the synagogue; and (2) provides the congregant with a good faith estimate of the value of those goods or services. For example, a synagogue sponsors a dinner dance and charges $100 for a ticket. The synagogue .d etennines that a reasonable charge to a dinner dance in the community is $60. The solicitation material and/ or ticket would disclose that the value of the dinner dance was $60 and that only $40 of the $100 price was deductible as a charitapie contribution. Is there a penalty imposed on thecongre- ' gation for failure to make the required quid pro quo disclosures to the congregant? A penalty bf $10 per contribution, capped at $5 ,000 per fund-raising event, may be 1mpose~ upon synagogues that fail to make the required disclosure for quid pro quo charitable contributions. The penalty also applies if the synagogue makes an iricomplete or inaccurate disclosure. Please take the time to call the Temple Office and let us know about your good news and Simchas. We would love to print it in The Light so that our entire Temple family can all kvell and shep nachas with you. Our Rabbis are always available to make hospital visits or phone calls to congregants and family members who are ill. Please call the Temple Office so that we may be of help. PAGE SIX (Please displa y on your refrigerator for family education and discussion.) By Rabbi Randi Musnitsky Hanukkah Legends & Oddities Hanukkah Lights the World Over The kindling of Hanukkah lights was prohibited in the third century in Persia (now Iran) because the fire worshipping magicians, to whom fire was sacred, were in power. In ancient times two great rabbis, Hillel and Shammai, had different opinions on how to light the Hanukkah candles. Shammai said that eight candles should be lit on the first night, and decreased ·by one each night. Hillel said that one candle should be lit on the first night and increased by one each night. Hillel's opinion prevailed and today we follo"o/ his method in lighting the Hanukkah candles. In the synagogues in Algeria, the Hanukkah candl~s are lit in the morning instead of in the ~vening . . In Russia the son kindles the lights and not the father. Because the menorah in the Temple was lit with oil, some people to this day prefer to use oil instead of candles to kindle their Hanukkah lights. The Palestinian plant from which the candelabrum shaped menorah was probably taken is the seven-branched salvia plant. The first day of Hanukkah can never occur on a Tuesday. In olden times Jews placed Hanukkah candles outside the front door, and in • TEMPLE EMANUEL NEWSLETTER Venice the Jews would row in gondolas through the ghetto. and greet each house which had Hanukkah lights with songs and blessings. A Menorah of Spears When the victorious Maccabees entered the Temple to cleanse it of the defilement of the heathens, they looked for the menor3:h of gold in one of the holy vessels of the Temple but it was nowhere to be found for Antiochus had taken it for himself. Instead ·of a menorah the Maccabees found eight spears of iron at the altar. 'On each of these they placed a bowl of oil and they kindled the lights. They kindled the lights of this erode menorah for eight days and for eight days the spears of the Syrians brought light and joy and gladness to the Jews. And what about the candles and the menorahs-has' Jewish tradition anything to say about these? It does indeed! It tells us that all the candles must be of equal height, with the exception of the shamash, the servantcandle, which is slightly higher than the others. These should be placed in a straight row with enough space between them so that they do not stick together or drip and so spoil the beauty of the menorah. And finally, the Hanukkah candles should be large enough to burn for at least thirty minute~. Moreover, tl;ey should be set into a mehorah of metal or of silver, as beautiful and as precious a menorah as possible, so that each night as long as the candles burn, their radiance may be reflected in the menorah which holds them. Judah & The Maccabees The name Macca.bee comes from the first letters of.the Hebrew prayer Mi Kamocha Ba-eUm Adonai (W'bo is like unto Thee, 0 Lord!) inscribed on the Maccabean battle banner. Another reason that Judah was called the Maccabee is that he struck with the force of a mighty hammer. The Hebrew word for hammer is Makav. Judah became known as "The Hammer" -the Maccabee. Before every battle, Judah commanded that all those among his men who were building houses, planting vineyards, had just" been married, or were afraid, should go hom~ . This was required by Jewish law. PAGE SEVEN Mark four caMBdars TEMPLE r for Upcoming Events Hanukkah Festival Dinner Friday, Decemb~r 2 Men's Oub Breakfast Meeting Sunday, January 15 Shabbat Evening Service Tot Sbabbat/Family Service Friday, December 2 Tu B'Shevat Seder Wedne~~y, January 18 Shabbat Evening Service Israel Bond Sbabbat Friday, December 16 Hebrew Marathon Sunday, December 18 Operation Good Neighbor Sunday, December 25 and Breakfast Conversation with the RabbisSunday, January ,8 Shabbat Evening'Service Martin Luther King, Jr. Sbabbat Rabbi David Worlman, Guest Speaker Friday, January 1'3 ").' n I •• <' ' ..... ~~Wl ,~~~~~ EMANUEL The Light Temple Staff , Family Fun Day Sunday, January 29 , Jane Vortreflich Rabbi Jerome P. David Administrator, Editor Senior Rabbi Temple Officers Andrew E. Weiner 429-6163 Rabbi Randi Musnitsky Associate Rabbi Dr. Herbert Yarrish President Rabbicmeritus Helene Cohen Amy Landsman 770-9626 ,Richard Freedman 795-3008 Shabbat Morning Service times to change December 3 Dr. Mark Sobel _596-7004 Jay Petkov 768-9826 Bess Soffer Director of Education Robin Sherman Cantor Murray Savar Organist Sandy Umansi<y- Youth Director 795-6713 Please note that beginning December 3, 1994 all Shabbat Morning Services will Vice Presidents Alan M. Tepper 424-593,5 be held at 10:30 a.m. (unless otherwise noted in The Light) and Havdalah Services will begin at 6:15 p.m. Treasurer Denise Weint>erg 795-0554 Secretary Affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations The Light Non-Profit Organization , U.S. Postage Publisbed by Temple Emanuel A Refonn Congregation PAID Cherry Hill, NJ Permit NO. 1336 1101 Springdale Road Cherry Hill, New Jersey '08003-2900 Office: 489-0029 ~eligious School: 489-0035 Pre-School: 489-0034 Fax: 489-0032 TIME VALUE AmerIcan Je wish Archives 3101 Clifton Avpnue Cincinnati OH 45220