2 - Sinai Temple

A Blessing and a
Threat . . . .
2
From the
President. . .
3
Sinai Akiba Academy Annual Event
and Auction. . . .
5-6
DecemBeR 2010
Kislev • TeveT 5771
vOl 71 NO 3
www.sinaitemple.org
Abner & Roslyn Goldstine
2010 Scholar-in-Residence Lecture Series
SERvICES & FESTIvALS
SHABBAT MORNING
IN THE ZIEGLER SANCTUARY
8:45 a.m.
wiTh
FAMILY MINYAN &
FAMILY MINYAN Children’s Service
Director of the Center for Ethics at Emory University and
9:00 a.m. Dec. 11
9:30 a.m. Dec. 4, 18 & 25
Senior Bioethicist at the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA)
TORAH IN THE ROUND
9:00 a.m. Dec. 18
TORAH AT THE TABLE
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Every Shabbat
STARS SHABBAT MORNING
10:00 a.m. Dec. 11
Friday, December 10 at 9:15 p.m.
TOT SHABBAT
10:00 a.m. Dec. 18
MINCHA/SHABBAT SERvICE
1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th Friday Night
5:45 p.m. Kohn Chapel
Saturday, December 11
Shabbat Luncheon, Noon
JAMMIES 'N' JEANS SHABBAT
A Shabbat experience for young families
5:45 p.m. Dec. 3
Sunday, December 12
Breakfast at 9:30am
Reservation form available at www.SinaiTemple.org
For more information, please contact Dahlia Greenbaum,
Program Director, at dgreenbaum@sinaitemple.org or (310) 481-3243.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIvE
7:30 p.m. Dec. 10
TUESDAY MORNING LATE MINYAN
when school is in session
8:10 a.m. Kohn Chapel
DAILY MINYAN
Mornings
8:30 a.m. Sunday
7:30 a.m. Monday - Friday
National Holidays - 8:30 a.m.
Afternoons
5:45 p.m. Sunday - Friday
4:30 p.m. Saturday
from the
RABBI’S PEN
A Blessing and a Threat
WEEkLY PARASHAS
December
December
December
December
4 - Miketz
11 - Vayigash
18 - Vayechi
25 - Sh’mot
PROGRAMMING THEME
5771­
Friday Candle Lighting Times
December
December
December
December
December
2
310 17 24 31 -
4:26 p.m.
4:27 p.m.
4:28 p.m.
4:32 p.m.
4:36 p.m.
Chelsea Clinton, raised Methodist, and Marc Mezvinsky, Jewish,
wed on July 31, 2010.
Statistics show that 37 percent of Americans have a spouse of a different faith.
Statistics also show that couples in interfaith marriages are "three
times more likely to be divorced or separated than those who were
in same-religion marriages."
Is interfaith marriage good for American society? Is it good for religion?
What is lost - and gained - when religious people intermarry?
Rabbi David wolpe was asked this question
Rabbi David wolpe
by the washington Post website.
I have never met a human being in general. I've met Russians, Norwegians, Americans, but no
generic human being. We each speak certain languages, are born in certain towns, have specific
parents. Although all human beings share many things in common, culture is not one of them.
Similarities increase the likelihood of a successful marital union. I once asked the CEO of an internet
dating service what he had learned from his work, and he said the idea that opposites will make a
successful marriage is a myth. Marriage is a difficult enterprise; you maximize the chances if you
look at the world the same way.
Of course, intermarriage instantiates an American ideal: nothing matters more than love. People
who grow up in very different circumstances can find a powerful, immutable bond. It is enshrined
in our common mythos -- the beauty and the beast, the peasant and the Queen -- differences
dissolve in love. But for the Jewish people in particular, however fetching the ideal, the prospect
of intermarriage is fraught.
There are over two billion Christians in the world. There are over a billion Muslims. There are some
15 million Jews. Since the chances of an intermarried couple raising their children in the minority
culture - that is, Judaism - is small, intermarriage is a serious threat to Jewish survival. We are a
vanishingly small people.
Abstract considerations rarely prevail over love. But we have to be honest, even when the truth
causes pain. Religion in a home usually follows the patterns of the mother, so for a Jewish man to
marry a non-Jewish woman is even more likely to result in children who do not identify as Jews
(and this also accords with the classical Jewish definition, where religion follows the mother.) To
say "well, they will grow up and choose" is dangerously naïve. Both studies and common sense tell
us when a child grows up with parents representing different religious traditions, the child does
not really decide on a faith, but chooses a parent.
Religious traditions are complex, ramified cultures. They are not checklists. To adopt a tradition is
to orient one's soul toward the universe. That is far easier to accomplish if both parents represent
the same tradition. I always counsel couples to choose a tradition: do I prefer it be Judaism? Of
course. But I would rather they choose one even if it is not Judaism than to try to raise a child in
both, which too often ends up being neither.
Conversion is a worthy, powerful way to join two people in a common cause. For the couple it is
not always possible or desired. But we should remember that a melting pot is an inferior metaphor
for the United States. People do not indistinguishably meld together. Rather we are a mosaic;
different colors that contribute to the beauty of the whole. Distinctions and differences are not
invidious.
Love vaults over boundaries and that is often both beautiful and compelling. Much can be lost
along the way however, and it is difficult to keep both the integrity of a tradition and its universal
messages. As with all great blessings, the blessings of America exact a considerable cost.
For more columns from Rabbi Wolpe in the Washington Post go to:
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/david_wolpe/
P R E S I D E N T ’ S corner
With Thanksgiving just having past, it may be a good time to think about the
holiday. While for many of us this has not been the best of times we should
think about some things we can be thankful for. We live in a country that
allows us to pray as Jews in public and not behind unmarked walls. We can
travel anywhere in the United States without being stopped and asked for
papers. We can go to the food market of our choice and see the shelves
completely stocked, whereas in some countries you would be told "sorry, we
are out of it right now".
ira M. Friedman
As Thanksgiving has left us, Haunakkah is upon us and the miracle of the
lights. This gives us all another opportunity to spend time with our families
and enjoy each others company.
If you did not attend the Masorti dinner, you missed honoring our own Norman
Pell. The award was heightened by the eloquent words of introduction by Rabbi Wolpe.
Coming up this month (December 10 - 12, 2010) for those of you who think one Wolpe (Rabbi David) is good,
two Wolpes (Rabbi David and his brother Paul) will be great as Dr. Paul Wolpe will be Abner & Roslyn
Goldstine Scholar-In-Residence. Dr. Paul Wolpe carries on the Wolpe family tradition for excellence in their
chosen field of endeavor.
After the Abner & Roslyn Goldstine Scholar-in-Residence program, the Sinai Akiba Annual Dinner on January
22, 2011 will honor Alice & Nahum Lainer. The Lainer’s have contributed so much to the success of Sinai Akiba
and Sinai Temple, this is an honor long overdue.
This years FJMC Red Yarmulke Dinner on January 9, 2011 will honor Rabbi Nicole Guzik. This is quite an honor
for a rabbi who has been a rabbi for such a short period of time but speaks volumes as to her considerable
talents as a rabbi and friend to all.
B’ Shalom
Ira
Kol Nidre
5771
Todah Rabah
A heartfelt thanks to all of the Sinai Temple members and friends who participated in this year’s Kol Nidre
Appeal. Because of you, our community continues to thrive. Donations given to this yearly appeal are
essential to our well-being as they help offset general operating expenses that membership dues alone do
not cover. We appreciate your continued support.
A special thanks to all the volunteers, and their families, who took time out of their busy life to participate in
the phonathon that helped raise funds for Sinai Temple.
Save the Date
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Happy
Hanukkah
First Candle December 1
st
Sinai Temple
Annual Dinner Dance
Theme: “Brooklyn”
honoring
Abby and Ira Friedman
3
Iran, Israel, anD the Us : ConflICt or CooperatIon?
with
Dr. reza aslan
Thursday, January 6, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Sinai Temple
Dr. Aslan is an internationally acclaimed Iranian-American writer and scholar of religions. He has
been featured on many broadcasts including: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report,
ABC, The History Channel, PBS, The Rachel Maddow Show, Meet the Press, and Nightline.
Dialogue­with­RABBI­DAVID­WOLPE­and­book­signing­following­the­lecture.
Free­of­charge­and­open­to­the­public
Please contact Dahlia Greenbaum, Program Director, at dgreenbaum@sinaitemple.org or 310-481-3243.
RSVP­appreciated­and­MANDATORY­to­park­inside­building!
a lICe & n ahUm l aIner learnIng
l Ife l essons from the B IBle
anD
l UnCh :
with Rabbi David Wolpe
Come and learn what Judaism has to say about topics as important
and relevant as downloading software, haggling in a store and lying
to your children (for good reasons)! Rabbi David Wolpe will lead us
through everyday ethics with a Jewish flavor.
When: Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Dates: December 7 - Ethical in Language? Part I – Gossip and Lashon Hara
Cost: Free of Charge for Sinai Temple members,
$15/Non-Sinai Temple members.
Lunch is included. RSVP’s are Mandatory!
ContaCt: Program Dept, 310-481-3243 or programs@sinaitemple.org
t hUrsDay m ornIng t orah
with Rabbi David Wolpe
Spend an hour every Thursday morning deepening your understanding of Judaism and our sacred text. Learn along with us as we go
through the Torah together; no previous knowledge of Hebrew is
required.
When: Thursdays, 8:15 a.m.
DeCember Dates: December 2, 9 and 16
Cost: There is no charge for this class.
ContaCt: Program Dept, 310-481-3243 or programs@sinaitemple.org
*All dates subject to change or cancellation.
J ewIsh w omen l IvIng e thICally
with Rabbi Nicole Guzik
Jewish women coming together in an intimate setting to explore
everything from desire, sexuality, spirituality, professional goals and
personal relationships. Bring your own dairy lunch.
When: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Dates: December 9 and 16
Cost: There is no charge for this class.
ContaCt: Program Dept, 310-481-3243 or programs@sinaitemple.org
Co-sponsored by the Program Department and the Sinai Temple Sisterhood
y IDDIsh C lUB
wIth
C antor a rIanne B rown
Calling Yiddish speakers of all levels! Join us for singing, schmoozing,
and community Yiddish events.
For more information, please contact the Program Department
at 310-481-3243 or programs@sinaitemple.org.
A N O PEN D OOR C LASS
ON
“P RAYER ”
in Kohn Chapel
Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. before evening Minyan
Anyone & everyone is invited!
For information, call Ralph Resnick at (310) 481-3201
For the past four months, our David and Angella Nazarian Youth
Leadership Fellows have been hard at work. Our 9th grade fellows
come together once a month to strengthen and hone their leadership
skills. Whether it is learning how to effectively transmit a message
about Israel or understanding how to apply Jewish values to an important cause or project, our Nazarian fellows learn how
to be advocates—keeping an eye on issues facing Los Angeles and Israel.
From December 19th-29th, our Nazarian fellows will travel to Israel for a VIP Leadership Mission. Some highlights of the
mission include: meeting with Israeli students who provide creative and innovative ideas for start-up Israeli companies, a
special briefing with top dignitaries, volunteering with Ayalim, Shabbat in Jerusalem, leadership training on an IDF base,
and much more.
We are incredibly proud of all of our Nazarian fellows:
zachary Diamond, ellie Dubin, adi harris, noa Kattler Kupetz, arielle yael mokhtarzadeh,
russell monkarsh, Jacob pardo, nicole west, noa yadidi, and adam yankelevits.
Please help me wish them a nesiah tovah!
Interested in becoming a 2011-2012 Nazarian fellow?
Contact Rabbi Nicole Guzik at nguzik@sinaitemple.org or 310-481-3234.
Save the Date - - - - February­1,­2011
Honoring
Janice Kamenir-reznik
Co-Founder and President of
Jewish World Watch at Sinai Temple
For more information contact
Roz Goldstine at rgg007s@yahoo.com,
visit JewishWorldWatch.org or call (818) 501-1836.
RABBI NICOLE GUZIk
will be honored on
Sunday evening
January 9, 2011
in Barad Hall
at the
36th annual FJMC
If you want to learn the prayers, how to put on
Tephillin, read from the Torah, check the Hebrew
calendar, learn about our Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program
- check out our Sinai Temple Cyber Mitzvah site.
www.cybermitzvah.org.
Friday December 10 - Shabbat Murder Mystery
USY-led services in Kohn Chapel @ 5:45 p.m., then...
We will walk together to a Shabbat Dinner at nearby home (TBA)
featuring an interactive murder mystery.
Event is open to all Sinai 7th-12th graders
Cost: a new wrapped toy to donate
RSVP by Wednesday December 8 to USY@sinaitemple.org
RED YARMULkE DINNER
Sinai Temple members will
receive information.
Others contact Dinner Chair
Bart Kogan
BHKogan@aol.com
Saturday Night December 18 - Into the Night
Sinai's USY chapter will join Ramat Zion and
Shomrei Torah for a night of programming!
Event starts at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night and ends at
8:00 a.m. Sunday morning
Drop-off and pick up locations TBA
Event is open to all 7th-12th graders
Cost: $40 for members of Sinai USY, $50 for non-members
RSVP by Wednesday December 15 to USY@sinaitemple.org
Alice and Nahum Lainer met at Hillel as undergraduates at UCLA in 1961. In 1964,
Alice graduated with a B.S. in Sociology; Nahum earned his bachelors (1963) and masters degrees in Business Administration (1964). In July, 1964, they were married and
began their 39-year history with Sinai Temple and Sinai Akiba Academy. All three
of their children—Gary, Leslie, and Nancy—attended Akiba Academy and were
b’nai mitzvah at Sinai Temple. Their grandchildren, Sophie and Samuel, are currently
enrolled at the school and their youngest, Daniel, will start preschool next fall.
sinai akiba's
annual event & auction
Don’t miss this fabulous evening honoring
alice and nahum lainer
As one of the early Akiba families, Alice and Nahum helped to build the foundation
for the extraordinary Sinai Akiba Academy of today. Nahum served as the fourth
Akiba president and hired the school’s headmaster, Rabbi Laurence Scheindlin.
The Lainers continue to be deeply involved in both the Temple and school, bringing
a wealth of wisdom, experience and expertise to numerous Sinai endeavors. Alice
serves on the Sinai Akiba Committee and Development Committee while Nahum
serves on the Budget Committee and Sinai Temple Board. As active Sinai Temple
members, the Lainers have initiated many programs including the Alice and
Nahum Lainer Learning and Lunch, a monthly series with Rabbi David Wolpe
which is available to the Los Angeles Jewish community.
The Lainers’ leadership gift to the 2008 Centennial/Renovation Campaign was the
keystone to the project that transformed the learning environment on the 3rd and
4th floors of the Sinai building. The Alice and Nahum Lainer Learning Center
houses the Blumenthal Library, Computer Lab, Research Center, and more, and is
used daily by our students and Sinai community.
Where
Professionally, Nahum is a partner in his family business, a real estate development
and investment firm in the San Fernando Valley.
When
In addition to their involvement at Sinai, Alice and Nahum are active in a number
of non-profit organizations including the American Friends of the Israel Museum,
where they are both on the national board of directors and Alice serves as the
honorary chair of the West Coast; members of the President’s Circle, Los Angeles
County Museum of Art (LACMA); UCLA’s Hammer Museum; Alice is on the
Acquisitions Committee of The Jewish Museum, New York; and Nahum is a member of the Executive Committee of UCLA Pauley Pavilion Campaign of Champions.
Lainer Learning Center/Barad Hall
Saturday, January 22 6:30 p.m.
Event Chairs
Lise & Rob Applebaum
Ada & Jim Horwich
Dalia & Hamid Moghavem
Auction Chairs:
Shira Elias, Michelle Harwin, Lisa Zide
We proudly recognize Alice and Nahum for their legacy of leadership to Sinai
Temple and Sinai Akiba Academy, as well as to the greater communities in Los
Angeles, New York and Israel. Please join our celebration on January 22, 2011, at
to donate an item to the
sinai akiba auction contact:
shira elias at elias_shira@yahoo.com.
our Annual Event and Auction, Sinai Akiba Rocks.
For more information, contact the Sinai Akiba development office
at 310-481-3295 or visit our website: SinaiAkibaRocks.com
Sponsorship Chairs:
Ellie & Dr. Sam Khorsandi
Leslie Lainer
Dr. Lisa & Gary Lainer
Nancy Lainer
Lesley & Jeff Wolman
Tribute DvD Chairs:
Luiza Iancu
Karen Samuels
We proudly list our Sinai Akiba Rocks Event Sponsors
EvENT SPONSORS
Top of the Class
Herta and Paul Amir
Ada and Jim Horwich
Leader of the Pack
Audrey and Sydney Irmas Foundation
Deutsche Bank/Heinz Jaeggi
Ellie and Mark Lainer
Dr. Lisa and Gary Lainer
Leslie Lainer
Nancy Lainer
Be True to your School
Linda and Maynard Brittan
Alexandra and Mitchell Siemons
Credit Suisse/Roger and Angelle Wacker
Beth and Josh Friedman
Davina and Russell Grossman
Chris and Steve Hazy
Joan and Alan Safir
Pam and Randy Schoenberg
Jackie and Manny Silverman
Anna and Bill Tenenblatt
Sandy and Jack Terner
Honor Roll
Lise and Dr. Robert Applebaum
Etty and Claude Arnall
Rosalind Devon and Sandy Batkin
Catherine Benkaim and Barbara Timmer
Milton Bilak
Gary Sokol and Dr. Paul Blanc
Melissa and Michael Bordy
Carol Eliel and Tom Muller
Diane and Danny Feldman
Helgard and Irwin Field
Judy and Tom Flesh
Roz and Abner Goldstine
Mark Hanna
Dr. Luiza and Andrei Iancu
Nancy and Bernie Kattler
Suzanne and Richard Kayne
Ellie and Dr. Sam Khorsandi
Rosalie Kornblau
Sheila and Aaron Leibovic
Elizabeth Comley and Shaoul Levy
Laurie Levenson and Douglas Mirell
Dalia and Hamid Moghavem
Dora & Nader Mossanen
Northern Trust
Ann Philbin
Julie and Marc Platt
Geri and Lester Pollack
Dr. Ellie and Fred Pourbaba
Jim Riddle and Jeff Riddle
Donna and Harvey Rosen
Lois Rosen
Roberta Goodman-Rosenberg and David
Rosenberg
Janet and Bobby Rosenblum
Karen Richards Sachs and David Sachs
Daphna and Dr. Pejman Salimpour
Marc Selwyn
Jackie and Stephen Sheanin
Sinai Akiba Committee
Sinai Akiba PTA
Sinai Temple Board of Directors
Pamela Smith and Family
Lora Silverman and Keith Stolzenbach
Leigh and Robert Strauss
Deborah Eisen and Joel Weinstein
Marcee and Mitch Weiss
Orna and Keenan Wolens
Lesley and Jeffrey Wolman
Helen and James Zukin
in formation as of November 1, 2010
To become an Event Sponsor, please visit
SinaiAkibaRocks.com or call 310-481-3388
All ATiD events are for young Jewish professionals ages 21-39.
www.AtidLA.com
310.481.3244
The 2nd Friday of every month ~ 7:30 p.m.
THE TED AND HEDY ORDEN & FAMILY
ATID’S HANUkkAH HOP
December 4th @ 7:00 p.m.
Join ATID for a progressive dinner where we celebrate Hanukkah in Santa
Monica by visiting three homes each offering a different food, drink, and
atmosphere. We will be doing a special Hanukkah Social Action Project at
one of these homes!
Advance registration required via www.AtidLa.com
FRIDAY NIGHT LIvE: DEc.­10,­2010
The entire congregation is invited to celebrate Shabbat at this musical
service led by Rabbi David Wolpe, Craig Taubman, and the FNL band.
Join us following services for one or more of these programs:
1. The Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Scholar-in-Residence Lecture Series presents: Special guest: Paul Root Wolpe, PH.D, discussing “Has Neuroscience
Proven There is No Soul?” Located in Kohn Chapel.
2. Congregational Kiddush and Israeli Dancing for the entire community.
3. The ATiD Lounge – a private after-party for young Jewish professionals (ages 21-
39), mix and mingle with complimentary food and drink. (i.D’s required)
*January 14 ~ Unity Shabbat
Sunday, December 12th ~ 10:45 a.m
ATID OUTDOORS: METRO ART TOUR
Join ATID for a tour highlighting the eclectic art in and around the Metro
Rail system in LA. Trained guides provide insight into the art, the artists,
and the communities they enhance.
Cost: FREE for Sinai Temple members, $8 for guests
RSVP via www.AtidLA.com for specific meeting details.
*** ATiD/SiNAi TEMPLE TOY DRiVE ****
Please bring unwrapped toys to Sinai Temple up until Dec. 7th. we will distribute them to children ages 6 months to 16 years throughout the holidays.
December 3 & January 7
fIrst frIDays
Are you a member of Sinai Temple looking to
meet other members?
Let ATID match you up with a place to go for Shabbat
dinner on the First Friday of the month. Contact Rabbi
Nicole Guzik via nguzik@sinaitemple.org.
ATID’s Leadership Committee Pizza & Planning ~
December 7th & January 4th @ 7:30 p.m. ~ Interested in getting more involved?
Join the volunteers who make ATID happen as we get together on the first
Tuesday of the month to share pizza and ideas.
ATID Tennis Tuesdays ~ December 14 & 28
It is a great way to meet wonderful people and feel a deeper sense of community.
This program is FREE but RSVP required.
Let’s Do Lunch!
Tuesdays, Dec. 7 & Feb.8
Would you like to get to know your Rabbi and other members of
ATID? Do you have questions about Judaism, Israel, or the Sinai
Temple community? Are you available to meet in Westwood for
lunch? If so, join ATID for delicious food and delightful company.
Email Stacey@AtidLa.com at least a week before to RSVP.
Check out www.AtidLA.com for more details.
ATID hosts Tennis Socials at the Cheviot Hill Tennis
Center on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
from 8-10 p.m. Email ilana@AtidLA.com to be notified of details.
An Evening of Career Management: Skills &
Strategies for Professional Success
Thursday, December 16th ~ 7 p.m.
Calling 20s & 30s who are seeking a new job or advice on how
to effectively manage the one you have!
Register via www.AtidLA.com for more details!
CASTING CALL!
Can you act and sing OR play an instrument?
If so, we invite you to audition for Sinai Temple’s Yom HaShoah Commemoration:
From Death to hope (by Michael Ficocelli)
OPEN­AUDITIONS!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 9, 2011, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
No appointment necessary. Actors: be prepared to sing two contrasting musical theater songs of your choice a capella. Needed: 3 women –
sopranos/altos; 4 men – tenors/baritones; 1 girl and 1 boy (pre-voice change). We are also looking for musicians: violinist, accordion player,
harpist, trumpet, clarinetist. Professional level only, must read music – bring instrument and sample piece to play at the audition.
Rehearsals begin in late January. Questions - please contact Liz Reinhardt, liz.reinhardt@yahoo.com or 310-838-2369.
December 4
Justin Azarian
son of
Loreta & Shahram
December 4
Desiree Shadi
daughter of
Helen & Jay
December 11
Oliver Pourbaba
son of
Ellie & Fred
December 11
FAMILY MINYAN
December 18
Talia Oberfeld
Melissa Simon
daughter of
Nina & Fabian
daughter of
Dana & Howard
CHAI SOCIETY INFORMATION
Temple Shabbat Shalom Meet and Greet
December 11 & 25
Monthly Social Meetings - 7:30 p.m.
December 7: Hanukkah Party
& Dinners - Plays - Celebrations Winery Trips - INTERESTED?????
Call Elaine (310)271-5554. E-Mail : eal1160@aol.com
December 25
Brandon Avraham
Moghadam
son of
Penina & Nace
December 18
TORAH IN THE ROUND
Correction
Our apologies to
the Bordy family
for Samantha’s
bat mitzvah
picture not
appearing in the
November
Sinai Speaks.
Amy Ben-Zvi
daughter of
Debbie David &
Daniel Ben-Zvi
November 27
Samantha Bordy
daughter of
Melissa & Michael
Judaism by Choice
Young families: Eat, Play, Sing, and Dance your Little Latkes off!
It's the Dor Chadash Hanukkah Party!
Tuesday, Dec. 7
5:30 p.m.
Barad Hall
There will be games, arts & crafts, kid-friendly holiday fare,
music and much more. Guaranteed to be the most fun you'll
have with dreidles all year! The cost is free, but we do ask that
you bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Sinai Temple Toy Drive.
For planning and security reasons, RSVP is MANDATORY:
dchadash@gmail.com.
Jammies 'N' Jeans Shabbat
Friday, December 3, 5:45 p.m., in Gold Hall
Slip on a pair of jeans and dress your kids in their PJ's -- to shul!
A light dinner provided to those who RSVP.
December 18, 2010 Shabbat Morning Service- 9:30 a.m.
Questions, please contact Rabbi Weinberg at 310-772-0626 or
rabbinweinberg@yahoo.com
SOCIAL ACTION
Join Sinai Temple's Annual Toy Drive!
Donate a new, unwrapped toy to the children at Vista Del Mar
and the Association of Soviet Jewish Émigrés. Toy collection
bins will be located throughout Sinai Temple from Monday,
November 15th through Friday, December 17th.
Chair: Jana Wallack, jana@thewallacks.com
TOT SHABBAT!
Brought to you by Dor Chadash, the “Next Generation” at Sinai Temple
Saturday, December 18
10 a.m.
in Gold Hall
Need an Amidah as short as your lil’ shul-goers?
Dale Schatz will provide the tunes your kids know and love.
Come for the prayer, stay for the oneg and art!
Dor Chadash is a great way to make a large synagogue feel like
a small community. We welcome all families with young children, so come introduce yourself at one of our upcoming
events!
For more information, please email
dchadash@gmail.com or call 310-481-3296.
Be a Chanukah Angel!
Adopt a child and his or her family for Chanukah. As an Angel,
you will buy a special gift that will make Chanukah brighter for
those in need. Team up with your family, your friends, or be an
Angel on your own. You will fulfill wishes, and your hearts will
be overjoyed. Sinai’s Social Action Committee is organizing this
effort among our members for Chai Lifeline.
For more information about Chanukah Angels, please contact
Esther Magna at emagna@msn.com. Chai Lifeline's web site can
be found at: http://www.chailifeline.org.
We­extend­our­condolences­to­
the­bereaved­families­and­
record­the­passing­of:
Lina Ahdoot and Lorraine Joffe, Co-Presidents
Dear Friends,
•••
Umberto aCCarDI
Father of
Carla Terner
•••
Lea Cohen
Grandmother of
Joseph Rosenbloom
•••
aLan Grahm
Husband of
Ruth Grahm
•••
nanCY maLVIn
Daughter of
Ann Golenternek
•••
Sisterhood got off to a great start after the High Holidays with its Annual Membership Luncheon. Fourteen
new members and 75 paid-up members were treated to a lunch catered by Sisterhood. It was a different
format and everyone enjoyed themselves. Our fourth Retreat, “Panim el Panim: Looking inward, Reaching
Outward” at Camp Ramah, Ojai was a sold out event. Many thanks go to Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Cantor Arianne Brown and our
scholar-in-residence, Dr. Gita Zarnegar. Thanks also to Rachelle Marcus and Judy Fisher for all their hard work. This was a memorable weekend and we can’t wait for the next one. According to all those who attended, this weekend was the best ever. Plans
are already underway for 2011 and the dates are October 28-30, so mark your calendars and save those dates.
The December 21st program will feature a discussion of "Ethical Dilemmas" and will be chaired by Roz Goldstine & Fran Stengel.
Please watch the Sinai eNews for Sisterhood upcoming events. We have planned at least one event per month and we welcome
your attendance.
Join Sisterhood classes with Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Jewish Women Living Ethically “Jewels” on Thursdays, Dec.9, 16 12:30 to 1:30
p.m. Contact Rosa Berman Ruder for information at (310) 557-1009.
Mark your calendars for our December 21st program and luncheon “Modern Thought for Everyday Thinking” at 11:30 a.m.
Sisterhood is selling tickets for the Lesley Wolman “On Broadway” concert for Sunday, February 13, 2011 4:00 p.m. at the Gindi
Auditorium, American Jewish University. Lesley Wolman is backed by the Asher Quintet with songs from Gypsy, Guys and Dolls
and Wicked. Tickets are $25 each. To buy your tickets, call Judi Hoffman (310) 476-4834.
There are many ways to support Sisterhood: You can buy Scrip. We have cards for your favorite stores: Vons; Neiman Marcus;
Bed, Bath and Beyond; Home Depot; Gelsons and many others. If you are taking a trip, we can obtain cards for airline companies. We can obtain any gift card you want and we will even deliver. Contact Lea Loewinger (310) 559-6451 for information and
to place your orders. Also, please remember to support our Dairy Catering and our Sisterhood Judaica Shop. Browse our new
holiday items in our shop and come in to say “hi”!
B’shalom,
Lina Ahdoot and Lorraine Joffe
A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. ~ Benjamin Franklin
Mazel tov to: Marcia Fellner, on the
birth of her grandson; Evelyn
Sherman, on the birth of her greatgrandson, Jacob Benton Fellner; Jan
&Phil Zakowski on the engagement
of their son, Daniel Zakowski &
Jackie Matthew; Karyn Grunfeld &
Chaim Tureff, on the birth of their
son, Eliyahu Tureff; Noushin &
Kourosh Laaly, on the birth of their
son, David Laaly; Soraya & Isaac
Nazarian, on the birth of their grandson; and Meital & Mayer Nazarian, on
the birth of their son, Nadav
Nazarian.
Interested in engaging your children in the Sinai Temple Community?
Thursday, December 9th from 10:00 to 12:00 noon
Sinai Temple Preschool/Douglas Family Early Childhood Center invites you to
a Hanukkah Happening. A Celebration & Open House For Parents with
Children, Ages 6 months to 3 yrs. Fun- Music-Crafts. For prospective
Preschool and Parent & Me families and anyone with curiosity about Sinai
Temple! Siblings of Sinai preschoolers are welcome. Please RSVP to Michelle
at aor (310) 481-3270 by Monday Dec. 6th. 1st Flr at Sinai Temple.
Connection in Camp Ramah
Sinai Temple
S ISTERHOOD P ROGRAM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21st
11:30 a.m. Lunch
"DOES BEING JEWISH AFFECT
YOUR BEHAvIOR"?
…come share your answer!!
$15.00 - Sisterhood Members
$18.00 - Non-Members
For reservations call
Dee Gooze: 310-553-7468
by Karl D. Susman
The Sinai Temple Religious School Shabbaton at Camp Ramah which took place
on October 15-17th was a special weekend filled with connection for all of us,
young and old. We connected with our spouses and with our children; we grew
closer and bonded with our religious school community. Interestingly, we even
connected more with Shabbat and with God. I’m not saying God showed up
and shook all of our hands in between the family relay races or on the water
slides, but in a very unique way we did indeed connect. For three days and two
nights we turned off our cell phones and laptops (as painful as it sounds) and focused on the here and now; being
with our friends, old and new, our family and our Jewish community. Our children learned how to get along and
sleep in the bunks together, taking note that they were not the only ones who may have been nervous about it. The
parents sang Karaoke together while they enjoyed sushi and margaritas, and we swapped stories and jokes along
with some Jewish history at the Friday night Tisch. As a community we observed Shabbat, the way it was meant to
be done, with song, rest, and family. We ended Shabbat with a beautiful Havdallah service in the rain, and dancing
around a campfire with the always entertaining and incredibly talented Dale Schatz. On our way home, talk of next
year’s Shabbaton was the only topic on everybody’s mind and how much we are looking forward to it. See you at
Camp Ramah in 2011!!
ThE cONgREgATION ExTENDS ITS SINcERE APPREcIATION FOR ThE FOLLOWINg cONTRIBUTIONS
RABBI DAvID WOLPE'S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Our 50th wedding anniversary by Edith & Stephen Nitzberg;
our wedding by Jodi & Brian Weiner; Robert Gabriel Iancu’s
bar mitzvah by Luiza & Andrei Iancu; Jaron Lenz’ bar mitzvah
by Eleanor Slivkin; yizkor by Toni Hirsh.
IN MEMORY OF:
Stanley Chaise by The Stengel family; Phil Rosenbaum by
Renee & David Sacks; Phil Rosenbaum by Brina Rosenbaum
& family; Isaak Aaron Schuman’s yahrzeit & Henriette
Schuman’s yahrzeit by Earl B. Schuman; Yahya Ghatan’s
yahrzeit by Carolyn & John Ghatan; Rabbi Aron Sinder’s
yahrzeit by Barbara Schechter; Phil Rosenbaum by Sharon &
Mark Berman.
IN APPRECIATION:
Rabbi Wolpe by Elaine Abramson; Rabbi Wolpe by Jeannette
& Mervyn Mandelbaum.
REFUAH SHLEMAH:
We wish Rabbi Wolpe a speedy recovery by Sharona &
Daniel Nazarian; Ilan Ashkenazi by anonymous; Tova
Dershowitz by anonymous.
RABBI NICOLE GUZIk’S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
Samantha Becker’s bat mitzvah and brother Jeremy’s
Ashrei too by Linda Sax & Norman Becker; and of your
support during shiva for our father Dr. Ayoub Danseshgar
by Shanaz Nassib & family.
IN HONOR OF:
Our wedding by Jodi & Brian Weiner; and Robert Gabriel
Iancu’s bar mitzvah and thanks for all you do by Luiza &
Andrei Iancu.
IN MEMORY OF:
Phil Rosenbaum by Brina Rosenbaum & family.
GENERAL FUND
By Paul Ehrlich; and by Jerry & Marie Hornstein.
IN HONOR OF:
Of the birth of Evelyn Sherman’s great-grandson and
Marcia Fellner’s grandson, Jacob Benton Fellner, by Tom &
Judy Flesh.
IN MEMORY OF:
Hannah Salkin’s yahrzeit by Murray & Arlyne Salkin; Irene
Ressler and Shirley & Milton Kohn’s yahrzeits by Robert &
Marilyn Ressler; Ida Nach’s yahrzeit by Raphael &
Jacqueline Nach; Celia Gasmer’s yahrzeit by Irene & Irving
Gasmer; Roman Bruno’s father, Joseph Bruno by Brina
Rosenbaum; my husband, Ted Levine’s yahrzeit by Shirley
Levine; Bahereh Soufer by Tom & Judy Flesh; and our
beloved mother Nasrin Masjedi Rashti by Sharona, Daniel,
Noah, Aaron & Jonah Nazarian.
IN APPRECIATION:
For the superior preparation & life lessons Cantor Gole gave
to our daughter Samantha for her bat mitzvah by Linda Sax
& Norman Becker; and for Cantor Gole’s kind sentiments of
sympathy and support during this difficult time by Shanaz
Nassib and by the family of Dr. Ayoub Daneshgar.
IN HONOR OF:
Our wedding by Jodi & Brian Weiner; Robert Gabriel Iancu’s
bar mitzvah and thanks for all you do by Luiza & Andrei
Iancu; and Jaron Lenz’s bar mitzvah by Suzanne, Scott &
Georgia Lenz.
IN MEMORY OF:
Phil Rosenbaum by Brina Rosenbaum & family.
CANTOR ARIANNE BROWN’S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
Julius Moster’s sister, Mona LaVine; Jamshid Hekmat &
Farshid Hekmat’s mother, Aghdas Hekmat; and Shaun
Daneshgar & Shanaz Daneshgar’s father, Ayoub Daneshgar
by Tom & Judy Flesh; and Vita Ben Bassat & Beverly
Newman by Judy & Jerry Rosenberg.
By Jill Tabari
SINAI AkIBA ACADEMY
IN MEMORY OF:
Carmella Pardo’s mother, Rachel, by Etty & Claude Arnall.
REFUAH SHLEMAH:
To Luiza Iancu’s mother, Tereza Marcus, wishing her a
quick and speedy recovery by Marcia Fellner & Evelyn
Sherman.
RABBI LAURENCE SCHEINDLIN
DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Simon Meyer by Pamela, Simon & Kalman Weisberg.
JOEL GOLDMAN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Tova Leibovic & Austin Douglas’s engagement by Sharon &
David Gitman & family.
IN MEMORY OF:
ISRAEL CENTER FUND
Roneet Kahan’s father by Sharon & David Gitman & family.
IN HONOR OF:
REFUAH SHLEMAH:
Ralph Finerman’s Birthday by Dale & David Bush.
To Vivian Levy, thinking of you with warm wishes, and
IN MEMORY OF:
Karen Saywitz, wishing you a speedy recovery by Sharon &
Beatrice Lawrence by Jonathan Brandler; and by Deborah David Gitman & family.
& Joel Weinstein.
ATID
IN MEMORY OF:
Phil Rosenbaum by Brina Rosenbaum & family; Minnie
Gershman by Esther Gendel; and Phil Rosenbaum by Sharon
& Mark Berman.
IN APPRECIATION:
Of Rabbi Guzik’s efforts & gracious demeanor by Bill & Sandy
Goodglick; of Rabbi Guzik officiating at my wife, Miriam’s
funeral by Eugene Harris; of Rabbi Guzik conducting the
LIBRARY FUND
shiva service in memory of Roman’s father, Joseph Bruno by
IN HONOR OF:
Clara & Roman Bruno; of Rabbi Guzik helping put together a
memorial for my uncle by Heidi Monkarsh; and of Rabbi Tova Dershowitz for receiving the Millie Tynan Mitzvah
Guzik leading services at the Sisterhood Retreat by Sinai Award by Terry & David Wohlberg, by Phyllis Dreifus, by
Roz & Abner Goldstine and by Marc Siegel.
Temple Sisterhood.
IN MEMORY OF:
RABBI ZvI DERSHOWITZ’S
Irving
Ravetch
by
Sonia & Bentley Morriss; Shirley
DISCRETIONARY FUND
Greenstein’s yahrzeit by Barbara & Milton Moritz; Mona
IN HONOR OF:
LaVine & Philip Rosenbaum by The Library Staff; Helen
Jaron Lenz’s bar mitzvah by Suzanne, Scott & Georgia Lenz.
Ruder by Joe Ruder; Philip Rosenbaum by Charlotte
IN APPRECIATION:
Kamenir, by Rosalie Kornblau, and by Joe & Rosa Berman
And with thanks for all you did for Robert Gabriel Iancu’s Ruder; Irving Brecher by Norma Brecher; and Mona LaVine
bar mitzvah by Luiza & Andrei Iancu.
by Rosa & Joe Berman Ruder.
CANTOR JOSEPH GOLE’S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
Contributions
MUSIC FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Aryell Cohen by the Lenz family.
HANNAH LIPPERT’S RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi David Wolpe’s recovery by Abner & Roz Goldstine.
BOARD OF GOvERNORS FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Phil Rosenbaum by Jerald & Barbara Rosenbaum, by Paul
Troy, by Vic & Rica Sabah, by Claude & Etty Arnall, and by
David Amsterdam.
DOR CHADASH FUND
IN APPRECIATION:
Howard Lesner, Rabbi David Wolpe, Rabbi Nicole Guzik,
Cantor Joseph Gole, and Cantor Arianne Brown for their
support during my grandfather, Sion Levy’s shiva by Negin
& David Ascher.
FUND FOR LIFE
IN MEMORY OF:
Philip Rosenbaum by Diane & Ovvie Miller.
CHEvRA kADISHA
IN MEMORY OF:
IN HONOR OF:
My
sister,
Sara
Sterental’s
yahrzeit by Rachel Feldman.
Molly & Sadie Hersh’s b’not mitzvah by Danielle & Marcus
Kassin; the marriage of Sara Zakowski & Joel Weinberger
and the engagement of Daniel Zakowski & Jackie Matthew
by Roberta, David, Adina and Samuel Rosenberg.
Need the Rabbi?
IN MEMORY OF:
We at Sinai Temple can only be a
Norman Pell’s sister, Bella Filler by Roberta, David, Adina &
Samuel Rosenberg.
community of concern when we know
JAMES AND MARGARET FLESH’S
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF:
The engagement of Daniel Zakowski & Jackie Matthew by
IN APPRECIATION:
Tom & Judy Flesh.
For teaching Josh for his bar mitzvah by Talia & Jamie Resin;
IN MEMORY OF:
of Cantor Ari’s extraordinary teaching & inspiration for
when and where we can be
of support. If you know of anyone
who may benefit from a visit or
a talk with the Rabbi, please call
(310) 474-1518.
Please remember Sinai Temple in your estate plan. Contact Development Dept. (310) 481-3228.
SINAI SPEAkS
Monthly Newsletter published by Sinai Temple
10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-474-1518 ~ fax 310-474-6801
www.sinaitemple.org
Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
PRESORTED
FIRST CLASS MAIL
US POSTAGE
PAID
LOS ANGELES, CA
Permit No. 11492
Rabbi David Wolpe
Rabbi Nicole Guzik
Rabbi Emeritus Zvi Dershowitz
Cantor Joseph Gole
Cantor Arianne Brown
Ralph Resnick, Ritual Director
Ira M. Friedman, President
Howard Lesner, Executive Director
Rabbi Laurence Scheindlin,
Headmaster, Sinai Akiba Academy
Danielle Salem-Kassin, Religious School Director
Tracy Schatz, Director, Douglas Family Preschool
Len Lawrence, General Manager Mount Sinai
Aryell Cohen, Organist & Choir Director
Penny Dain, Public Relations Manager, Editor
Barton H. Kogan & Paul Herman, Co-Chairs,
Board of Governors
Elie Alyeshmerni, Men’s Club President
Lina Ahdoot & Lorraine Joffe, Sisterhood Co-Presidents
Deadline for the January issue is December 1
Deadline for the February issue is January 3
Printed on recycled stock
The First Conservative Congregation in the Pacific Southwest
Jem Caterers
Exclusive Caterers to Sinai Temple
For More Information
Please call
Catering Department
at 310-475-5982
For enrollment information
please call: Danielle Kassin
310-481-3271
A gentle introduction to
things that take a lifetime
to learn.
For more information and a
private tour, please call
(310) 481-3270
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