July - Temple of Aaron

The
Aaronion
TEMPLE OF AARON’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
616 S. Mississippi River Blvd. • St. Paul, MN 55116-1099
(651) 698-8874 • www.templeofaaron.org
Vol. 86 • No. 11
July 1, 2011
29 Sivan, 5771
Mazal Tov to the 2011-5770 Confirmation Class
Daniel Axelrod
Sophie Kaye
Jack Schuleman
Natalie Baldinger
Michael Kowitz
Gilad Segal
Ellie Berg
Joseph Lane Noah Shavit-Lonstein
Sophie Burton Rachel Lerman
Elliott Stern
Abe Clark
Max Lowenthal
Devin Werthauser
Madeline Gleekel
Sonya Rosen
Ashley Wilton
Rachel Haim
Emily Saxon
From the Rabbi’s Desk . . .
Our Bond with Israel
There are two, perhaps clashing pieces
of wisdom regarding a rabbi preparing
sermons for the High Holydays.
One is that our first act after breaking
fast on Yom Kippur is to begin preparing
for the next year. We should be gathering ideas, stories and texts, and looking
for topics that will be both meaningful
and inspirational for the members of our
congregation. This will ensure that we
are vigilant during the year so as not to
miss any potential topic and idea; and it
helps ensure both deep thinking and
high quality of sermons.
The other advice given to rabbis is that
we hold off on choosing topics for
sermons until just before the Yamim
Noraim. This way, we can stay fresh and
relevant. In addition, there is recognition
that there will almost always be a large
event in the news right around the
holidays that will be relevant to the
Jewish community. Thus, it is better to
wait.
Clearly, the best approach is one that
combines the two: preparation and
flexibility, and this combination will be
demonstrated this year. Hazzan Kowitz
and I have already begun work on High
Holydays 5772, and we want to invite
you to participate by sending back your
cards for alyot and for English readings
as soon as you get them. Of course, if
you are interested in any other kind of
participation during the services, please
let me know.
I am happy to announce that we have
chosen, as the theme of the second day
of Rosh Hashanah, the special relationship between Israel and the United
States. Using song, prayer and study,
we will explore the way each of us as
American Jews can connect to our
homeland. We will produce a special
book for the service, and invite you to
keep it.
As I write this, Israel is very much in the
news, with speeches from President
Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu
competing to set the parameters for the
next round of peace talks. As has
become the norm these days, analysis
and opinions are flying free online.
Even when not on front page, the State
of Israel is central to Jewish thought,
theology and prayer. It is deeply
connected to our holiday cycle, to our
yearning for a better world, and to our
communal sense of self. Often we are
unaware of the full extent of these
connections.
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
rabbishavitlonstein@templeofaaron.org
651-698-8874, ext. 111
On the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah,
we will explore these and other issues.
Our focus will be on how we can each
personally find and grow our connection
to the Land, People and History of Israel.
Please join us for all the celebrations.
The High Holydays will begin on
Saturday, September 24 with Selichot,
with Erev Rosh Hashanah on
Wednesday September 28. I look
forward to seeing you there.
Rachel Lerman wins the Sylvia and Joseph Bisnow Confirmation Award!
The Bisnow award was created in honor of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Sylvia and Joseph
Bisnow and is given to a Confirmation student who is dedicated to their Jewish Education,
Community Service, and steps up to help at both Temple of Aaron and beyond.
This year’s recipient is Rachel Lerman. Her dedication to her Jewish Education, Temple of Aaron,
and the greater community is something that should be recognized. As a USY board member,
Rachel went above and beyond this year, planning programs and drives to ensure that the youth
here understand what it means to give to others. She is also a tutor in our Shabbat morning
program and volunteers in the community as well.
Mazal Tov to Rachel on this award!
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Cantor’s Column
Summertime is filled with great joy,
relaxation, cleaning and planning. Many
kids go to camp and older kids secure
part-time jobs. It is also a time that we
get to spend with our families. To me,
this is the most important aspect of what
summer has to offer.
There is also a Jewish holiday in the
summer which causes us to reflect upon
our past and our strength. That holiday is
Tisha B’Av on August 9, 2011, which is
not a happy holiday, but rather a sad
one. It recalls the destruction of the first
and second temple. It is an important
holiday for each and every one of us. The
reason I say this is because of how we as
Jewish people have learned to deal with
adversity. We have been doing this for
century after century. We have prevailed,
gotten stronger, renewed our faith and
have found new ways, for us as a people,
to pray and show our devotion to God.
No matter what life seems to throw at us,
we have the ability to stand strong and
deal with whatever problems we might
face. I am proud of my Jewish faith. I am
proud of our people. I think that each
and every one of us should feel the same
way.
The next time life throws a curveball at
you, remember who you are. Remember
all of our ancestors. Remember their
strength and faith.
This will get you through times of trouble
and times of sadness. May all of you
have a wonderful summer and reflect on
the strength of our people.
Hazzan Mitchell D. Kowitz
hazzanmitch@templeofaaron.org
651-698-8874, ext. 113
JULY WEDDING
ANNIVERSARIES
We display every 5 years and all
anniversaries of more than 50 years
‫מזל טוב‬
5 Joshua & Andrea Fineblum
St Paul Jewish Community
Tisha B’Av Service
& Commemoration
Monday, August 8, 2011
Beth Jacob Congregation
1179 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
20 Harlan Stern & Amy Miller-Stern
30 Gregory & Marina Shor
30 Brian & Enrica Zaidman
35 Bob & Joanne Gillman
35 Richard & Marilyn Smith
50 Carl & Tammy Birnberg
50 Vitaly & Serafima Shumilovsky
54 Isaak & Tatyana Soroka
55 Dr. Larry & Lois Schochet
59 Arnold & Harriet Usem
9:00 PM
Questions? 651-698-8874
This is a joint program of Temple of Aaron,
Beth Jacob, and Mount Zion
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62 Bob & Estelle Baldinger
Sanctuary Monthly Banner
TAMMUZ BANNER: By Janie & Donald
Rutman in honor of Keith’s Bar Mitzvah and Janie’s parents’ (Dodie &
Morrie Geller) 45th wedding anniversary. Titled “Trees” (Avran Scheinfeld
design). It depicts a tree in all seasons on an Israeli Kibbutz.
Department of Youth Services
Mazal Tov and well done to our outgoing 2010-2011
TUSY Executive Board members!
Mazal Tov to our newly elected TUSY Executive Board members!
Robby Erlich
Youth Director
robbyerlich@templeofaaron.org
Temple of Aaron to host
USY on Wheels:
Mission Mitzvah
August 2 & 3, 2011
If you are interested in
housing a few USYers
please contact:
Director of Education
Joshua Fineblum
651-698-8874 ext 103 or
Joshuafineblum
@templeofaaron.org
Pictured (L-R) Robby Erlich, Joe Lane - President, Matt Bernick - Exec VP, Elliott Stern REL/ED, Ellie Berg - Secretary, Morgan Werthauser - CO SATO, Susan Balto - CO SATO,
Evan Weil - Communications, Rachel Lerman - CO Mem/Kad, Miri Taple - 9th Grade
Rep, and Ezra Strohm - CO Mem/Kad
Mazal Tov
to the Graduating Seniors
of 2011!
Elly Bier
Sonya Blyakher
Alexis Burbul
Michael Feinstein
Evana Kvasnik
Robert Miller
Judge Rissman
Bayley Taple
New TUSY members (L-R) Hannah Saltzman, Maya Strohm,
Rachel Feinstein and Lexi Dockman take a break from CMT
for a picture with Mr. Fineblum’s dog, Rocky!
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Jeanne Bloomberg
Samantha Boschwitz
Joseph Devitt
Tess Glassman Kaufman
Madeline Leventhal
Lauren Oskey
Elianna Rosenthal
Rebecca Wilton
Lilmod U’lilamed — “To Teach and to Learn”- Pirkei Avot
‫ללמד וללמד‬
We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and enjoying the warmer climate as
I know I am. Throughout these summer months we are working hard on the
development of our curriculum and are putting some wonderful new things in place
for the Fall. We are looking forward to a “New Look” for our Wednesday night 7th
grade and Honors programs, including elective classes on many interesting subjects
including but not limited to: Jewish Art, Jewish Food, Heroes of Judaism, Jewish
Music, and even the recreation of a Teen Choir. It is our hope that we can enhance
the already wonderful program that we have with these electives as we give our
students the opportunity to learn together in these classes. More information about
these classes and others will be coming out in August in the slightly revamped
Parent/Student Handbook.
We are also now on the verge of solidifying our teachers, including our new art and
music teachers, as well as setting the calendar for the Fall. Please be on the lookout
for information about the upcoming school year in the next month and let your friends
know about the exciting things we have going on for our students here at Temple of
Aaron.
Kayitz Tov, have a great rest of the Summer!
Joshua Fineblum
Director of Education
joshuafineblum@templeofaaron.org
Mazal Tov to this Year’s Silver Kepah
and Greenie Beanie Students!
Silver Kepah
Remember to sign up for:
The Bernard S. Raskas
Religious School
and
The Rossy and Richard
Shaller Hebrew School
For More Information
and
Questions?
Susie Haim
Administrative Assistant
Greenie Beanie
Jessica Baker
Max Leventhal
Tory Leventhal
Marc Lowenthal
Dina Moradian
Mira Zelle
Rachel Bloom
Joshua Gilberstadt
Jaclyn Lewine
Zachary Brodsky
Samantha Gouette
Andrew Marell
Alissa Chiat
Zachary Greenberg
Henry Najlis
Isaiah Clark
Parker Gustafson
Arlo Rissman
Aaron Cooper
Ira Hoffman
Sarah Rutzick
Noah Dockman
Erika Kuretsky
Mycala Schneider
Maxwell Gantman
Max Lerman
Naveh Shavit-Lonstein
Samuel Gantman
Leo Lerner
Michala Zien
Alexandra (Sasha) Gekht
Hanalei Lewine
Andrew Zuckerman
Mazal Tov to our 7th Grade Graduates
and 10th Grade Honors Graduates!
7th Grader Graduates
Minnie Arnold
Liza Sivriver
Ian Leventhal
Howard Goldberger
Davita Blyakher
651-698-8874 ext 104
susiehaim@templeofaaron.org
Hannah Burbal
Annie Balto
Emilee Skadron
Andy Miller
David Haim
Ean Katz
Louie Diner
Ilana Blyakher
Sarah Toenges
Shelby Sieden
10th Grade Honors Graduates
Ellie Berg
Maddie Gleekel
Rachel Haim
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Michael Kowitz
Joe Lane
Rachel Lerman
Max Lowenthal
Emily Saxon
Gilad Segal
Devin Werthauser
Thank You Todah Rabah
‫תודה רבה‬
Thank you (todah rabah) to those listed below who supported our
Yahrzeit Fund in memory of loved ones with donations of $10 or more
May 2011
Our deep and sincere
sympathy to the families
of the following members
who have passed away
Gloria Wolf
‫תודה רבה‬
. . . to Judy and Al Werthauser and
Todd and Jane Lifson for co-sponsoring the May 20 Oneg in honor of their
parents’ 50th wedding anniversary,
Helen and Ron Lifson.
. . . to Burt Katz, Delia Sevak and
Betty Agranoff for labeling nearly
1,200 June Aaronions for our members.
. . . to Mary and Richard Diner for
inviting membership to join their
family for June bar mitzvah lunch
. . . to Eden and Jason Burbul for
inviting members to join their family
for June bat mitzvah lunch.
. . . to each person who has helped at
the Shabbat service by serving as a
Gabbai or Ozer helping the Torah
service run safely and more
smoothly.
. . . to each person who davens at our
daily minyan to help the service run
meaningfully.
. . . to the Steven and Vivian Bernick
Family on the donation of robes for
our Confirmation Ceremony.
Agranoff, Betty & family
Aldes, Mike
Amnuel Miryam
Becker, Elly Marks
Berde, Doris & family
Braginsky, Gregory & Inna
Calmenson, Beverly
Chulok, Mikhail
Divine, Arne & Rae
Eisenstadt, Larry & Linda
Flynne, John & Susan
Fridman, Vlad & Alla
Garbuz, Khaye
Garelick, Eileen
Geller, Loren & Rosie
Getsug, Ray & Elissa
Godes, Barb & Steve
Goldberg, Sharleen
Goldman, Arnold
Goldman, Barry & Darlene
Goldsmith, Rose
Graham, Esther
Hirsekorn, Fred
Jerson, Francine & Sidney
Kamin, Evelyn & Mel
Kaplan, Burleigh
Kaplan, Mickey
Kaplan, Rick & Jane
Kaster, Barbara
Khaskin, Iosif
Krasnow, Brian
Krawetz, Leah
Kronich, Esther
Lerman, Bill & Mary
Lerman, Frank
Libman, Cary
Lifson, Ron & Helen
Lyons, Stephen & Patti
Malinoff, Candy
Mastbaum, Mildred
Meltzer, William
Nemer, Helen
Nusbaum, Ed & Char
Oselka, Dr. Henry
Pfleiderer, Adrianne & Bill
Pogoler, Andrew
Rafowitz, Sam
Raskin, Alex & Maria
Ringer, Sherman
Rosen, Dave, Layne
Dr. Jeffrey Weingarten
Memorial Award
Felicia and Leon Weingarten
established this special award in
loving memory of their son, Jeff, who
graduated at the top of his medical
school class and was an outstanding
and dedicated doctor.
Each year teachers and staff choose
one student in each class from 5th9th grade to be given this award in
his memory. They must be outstanding members of their class,
showing enthusiasm, respect, and a
love of Judaic learning. Mazal Tov!
Marc Lowenthal
5th Grade
(Correction of June misspelling)
6
Nisan-Iyar 5771
& family
Rosner, Sue & Dave
Rubin, Paula
Rutzick, Yale
Sevak, Delia & family
Shear, Rita
Shumilovsky,
Vitaly & Serafima
Skadron, Nancy & Stanley
Smith, Marilyn
Stillman, Tom & Sue
Strickon, Beryl
Supornick, Edith
Swartz, Don & Helen
Swartz, Susie
Vinokur, Roza
Vysotskaya, Lyudmila &
Eydelman, Grigoriy
Vysotsky, Alla & Gak, Feliks
Walter, Nancy
Watchman, Clara
Weinberg, Idele
Weisberg, Morton & Ruth
Wolkoff, Patricia
Correction
We inadvertently omitted
thanking our 5th grade
Educational Shabbat Program
teacher Wendy Kane for her
hard work and dedication to
our students’
Jewish Education.
USY Turns 60
Temple of Aaron led by Rabbi Bernard S. Raskas and Beth El led by Rabbi Kassel Abelson
are credited with creating USY in 1951. National Association USCJ has hired Wendy Glick as
its Alumni Association Director to reconnect USYers all over North America. The five local
Conservative synagogues are working together to plan a local event in 2012. We want to
build connections and we want to raise money to provide USY scholarships for major programs like Israel Pilgrimage, USY Wheels and Nativ. Our four committee volunteers are
David Garelick, Wendy Kane, Alex Locke and Loren Taple.
TUSY! TUSY! Wipe it! Wipe it! And then toilet
paper would fly across the Temple of Aaron
auditorium. And another Emtza Region
Shabbaton would begin. These were some
of the best times of my life. I was living then
in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where my father was
the rabbi of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. I
remember the long bus rides for kinnusim in
the Twin Cities or even farther away – Des
Moines, St. Louis, and Denver. The early
morning stops at Perkins in Fargo, spirited
davening, interesting and engaging sichot,
dances, mitzvah projects, fun, and practical
jokes helped to shape the Jew I’ve become.
To this day, most of my good friends are the
people with whom I shared these transformative, identity-building experiences.
Through Facebook, email, and visits we
continue to keep tabs on the important
milestones in our lives.
USY also saved me. Literally. In June 1982
my mother died suddenly and tragically.
(She was my second mother. My natural
mother had died when I was two, so my
second mother therefore was the only
mother I knew.) It was a very difficult time
for my family. We each reacted to the loss
in different ways, but I felt the power of
community as my USY friends attended the
funeral and every day of shiva, and they
continued to comfort me every day since.
This served to deepen our already meaningful relationships. We became more than
friends. We became family.
As my own family life was becoming
increasingly more difficult and it became
clear to me that I was going to have to fend
for myself, I made the decision to move to
Minneapolis for college. Feeling alone, not
sure where I was going to live, how I was
going to make a living, or how I was going to
afford college, my USY family intervened. I
found a place to live; first with the family of
a USY friend and then with a young couple
whom I met through the advice of another
USY friend’s father, who suggested I take an
ad in the American Jewish World – “Male 18
seeks to rent room.” The thought was that I
might find someone who would benefit from
my doing light household chores in
exchange for rent. That’s how I met Corey
and Ciel Gordon, who became surrogate
parents to me. And I was pointed toward
not one but two jobs. One was as a Kadima
advisor for Beth El and the second was at a
local business owned by three active mem-
bers of the Jewish community. The former
kept me engaged in the synagogue at a time
when I was angry at God, angry at my father,
and angry at the world. The latter taught me
valuable life skills and allowed me to provide for myself. Or, to use Rambam’s metaphor, they didn’t give me food but instead
they taught me how to fish. I learned then
skills and ways of working with other people
and looking at life that most people don’t
pick up until many years after college.
I have two distinct memories from this
period of my life that I know, without a
doubt, led me to the rabbinate and put me
on a path that led me to where I find myself
today. The first is as a USY and Kadima
staff member. I recall a conversation with
one of the kids at a Shabbaton in which
she noticed that in the evening prayer
Hashkiveynu we use the Hebrew word
satan. It’s normally translated as
“accuser,” but she correctly understood
that it was the Hebrew for Satan – the
devil. She asked me why, since Jews do not
believe in Satan is he mentioned here. I
was at a loss. I was a rabbi’s kid. I grew up
in USY, Camp Ramah, and day school, yet I
never noticed nor was taught this before. I
was humbled by my lack of knowledge and
went to see Rabbi Hayim Herring, who had
become my rebbe. He explained the
theology of the prayer, but I was not
satisfied, so he recommended a book on
prayer. I quickly read the book and suddenly realized that I knew a lot about the
hows of Judaism, but much less than I had
realized about the whys. Hungry for more
knowledge I read more. The more I read,
the more I wanted to engage again in
religious life. I joined Beth El as a member,
paying only $18 a year. But now that I was
a paying member, I needed to get my
money’s worth, so I started to attend more
regularly. In addition, I soon found myself
teaching junior congregation. The more I
did, the more I wanted to read. The more I
read, the more I wanted to do.
Around the same time my boss from the
job that paid the bills called me into his
office and said, “I’ve decided to send you to
Israel.” What? A new program was starting,
called Sar El – Volunteers for Israel. The
federation wanted to send 1,000 people to
participate and my boss wanted to send
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Rabbi Steven Wernick
USCJ Executive Vice President and CEO
me. It was my first time in Israel – it was
three weeks on an army base doing odd
jobs and a little touring. Like so many
others, I found something strangely familiar
about Israel. I was home. Standing before
the Kotel, reflecting on all that I had
learned about it over the years, I was
overcome with emotion. I felt that the
generations before me and those yet to
come were standing with me, holding me
up. It was at that moment that I recommitted myself fully to living a Jewish life.
The rest is history. I returned from Israel
and immersed myself in the synagogue
through USY and Kadima and eventually
decided to change my major at college
from political science to Hebrew and
ancient Near Eastern and Jewish studies
and to apply to rabbinical school.
In many ways I feel that I am the embodiment of kol Yisrael aravim zeh b’zeh – all
Israel is responsible one for another.
If it weren’t for my USY friends and their
families who made it a point to guide me
through a difficult time of my life; if it
weren’t for three members of the
Minneapolis Jewish community who looked
out for me as a result of their commitment
to Jewish values; if it weren’t for a rabbi
who mentored me to hold onto my Jewish
identity at a moment of personal pain and
wandering, I would not have become a
rabbi, nor would I have achieved the
position I now hold leading the United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. All of
this is the gift that USY has given me. This
is the gift that USY, founded in the Twin
Cities, has given more than 200,000
participants over the last 60 years. This is
why I am committed to revitalizing USY for
the next generation of Jews – one soul at a
time. Join me in celebrating USY’s 60th
Anniversary.
Rabbi Steven Wernick
Membership Committee Spotlight on . . .
Richard Strimling was born, raised and
still lives in the City of St. Paul. His
grandparents joined our beloved
Temple in the mid 1920s. His parents
(Harry and Lee), Richard and his wife
Liz, along with their daughter and son-in
-law (Allison and Allan Charney) were all
married at our Temple. Richard’s sister
and brother-in-law (Nancy & Stan
Skadron) were the last couple married
in the “old” building and Richard was in
the first Confirmation Class in the “new”
building.
“It is this sense of history, tradition,
ritual and life cycle events that have
helped bind our family, generation-togeneration, to our Temple’s mission,
goals and Conservative Judaism.”
Over the years, Richard has served on
the Board of Directors, been on
numerous committees, been a Friday
night tour guide, participated in
countless events, M.C.’d our Jubilee
dinner, and has been proud to be a
Shabbat morning regular and attend
the 8am Coffee with the Rabbi & Rashi
before services.
For the past few years, Richard has
brought his grandson to services about
once a month in order to help instill and
pass on the traditions of our heritage to
the next generation.
“Thank you Temple of Aaron for being
part of our life.”
Richard Strimling
— Jim Leventhal —
Tuesday Book
Club - 6:30 p.m.
July 19 - The Last Jew Noah Gordon
Call Deb Bachrach with
questions: 651-690-4130
Invest in United Synagogue
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A group of synagogues joined
together in the early 1900s to create
a national association of synagogues
throughout North America supporting
the Conservative Movement. The
United Synagogue for Conservative
Judaism served as a general body to
share concerns and develop
solutions. The USCJ helps with
searches for clergy and other key
personnel. They also share program
banks, fundraising ideas, and host
regional, national and international
USY programs. USCJ has a presence
in Israel and encourages visits there
for pleasure and study. Each year, all
Temple of Aaron members have an
opportunity to support the work of the
national association and the fee
appears on the June statement.
We welcome and need your financial
support.
Sisterhood News
SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP
651-699-9192
Gift Shop Sale – July 1 to Sept. 13. All merchandise is 20% off except books, which
are 10% off. No discounts for tefillin or mezuzah parchments. The Gift Shop has
some new items from Michael Aram and the general inventory is frequently changing. Gift Cards are always available. Summer hours: 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month
from 9 am – noon; Tuesdays from 10 am – 2 pm; Wednesdays from 10 am – 1 pm;
and by appointment (call Marcia Taple at 651-688-3030). Gift Shop phone: 651-6999192.
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Book Club – The book club meets on the third Sunday of the month at The Highland
Café and Bakery in Highland Park at 10 am. For more info on the latest reads or any
other questions, call Teddy Gerr (651-405-6658).
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Knitting Club – No meetings will be taking place in July and August. Keep working on
your own to create afghans for those in need and we will continue as a group in
September. All levels of knitting and/or crocheting invited. This group meets on the
4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm in the Temple Library. Bring your own needles
and yarn. See you in September. For more info, call Roxanne Portnoy (651-6902232).
New Tallitot
Yads
Giftware & Judaica
Shop Early - Shop Often!
We Gift Wrap!
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
& Bridal Registry
We now carry
Michael Aram
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Women’s Shelter Donations – Drop off toiletries to be donated to local women’s
shelters. All items needed and they can be dropped off in the Temple Gift Shop.
Help out our local community and give someone a lift with these easy
donations. Questions, call Alexandria Ganzel at 651-490-7684.
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Building Fund Cards – Cards for every occasion are only a phone call away. Pick up
that phone and show someone you care by sending one of these lovely cards. All
funds raised by the use of these cards go directly to benefit our beautiful building. Questions, call Sis Goren (651-686-0425) or Susan Kushner (651-4548336). For billing questions, call Betty Agranoff at 651-698-8275.
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Food Shelf – This ongoing project serves our community year ’round. Donate food
items at any time by dropping them off in the cart located in our coat room. Monetary
donations will also be accepted by sending a check, payable to Temple of Aaron Food
Shelf, to Harriet Levy, 1826 Merlot Curve, Eagan, MN 55122. For more info, call
Harriet Levy (651-454-6829).
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Installation of Officers/Closing Program - The following were installed by Barbara
Gitlin at our musical closing program of the year: President-Marcia Taple; Fund
Raising Vice President-Margie Schneider; Membership Vice President-Roxanne
Portnoy; Treasurer-Marcella Kahn; Financial Secretary-Linda Eisenstadt; Recording
Secretary-Paula Schraber; Corresponding Secretary-Barbara Kaster; Notification
Secretary-Susan Kushner; Gift Shop Chair-Marcia Taple; Gift Shop Treasurer-Etta
Lambright. Make Sisterhood a part of your regular activities; suggest a program or
fundraising activity that you would like to see added to our events. Call Marcia Taple
with any ideas (651-688-3030).
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Rosh Hashanah Fundraiser – Wish your Temple of Aaron family a Shanah Tovah
Tikatevu for 5772 in the September Aaronion by sending your $10 check by July
25th, payable to Temple of Aaron Sisterhood, to Shari Lowenthal, 158 Hollywood Ct.,
Falcon Heights, MN 55108. Indicate how you would like your name to appear in the
Aaronion. Questions, call Marcia Taple.
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Can’t Think of What to Buy?
We Offer Gift Cards!
Support Your Sisterhood Gift Shop
Support Your Synagogue
Open Hours:
Sunday 9:00 - Noon
Tuesday 10:00 - 2:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 1:00
By Appointment Call:
Marcia Taple / 651-688-3030
Israel: An Exploration of Conflict in Our Ancient Land
By Steven Derfler
“It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times…” and Dickens’ words
could not ring more true in the 21st
century when it comes to Israel and her
Arab neighbors. To me, one of the greatest miracles of the 20th century was the
creation of a Jewish national home after
nearly 2 millennia of exile; at best,
nominal tolerance, and at its worst,
persecution and murder on an
unprecedented scale throughout the
world.
Yet the road to the recognition of a legitimate national liberation movement,
Zionism, would be paved with good
intentions, tempered aspirations and
doubts; while being confronted with
animosity and hatred on a scale rarely
seen. And sadly, it would be in an
atmosphere of misinformation,
disinformation, and outright ignorance
that much of the animosity would rear
its ugly head.
awakened with an increasing Zionist
presence in the area at the start of the
20th century.
Over the next several months, we will
examine the nature of the Arab/Israeli
and Palestinian/Israeli Conflicts, in
essence a “Twice Promised Land: a
Hundred Years War.” The harsh reality
is that mistakes and missed opportunities have plagued both the Israelis and
Arabs. As Abba Eban would say, “The
Arabs never missed an opportunity. . .
to miss an opportunity.” Yet at the same
time, Israel herself would on occasion
miss its own opportunities to diplomatically bring about chances for peace.
In addition to these “hard copy” essays,
we will endeavor to provide links within
the Aaronian Online for a more in-depth
understanding of the issues confronting
Israel both past and present, as we all
search for a just and lasting peace in
the MidEast for both Israel and her Arab
neighbors.
But first, we need a snapshot look at
the “neighborhood” in question. As seen
on the map, we can get a feel for the
size of Israel compared to Minnesota
with the 2 capitals superimposed one
on the other. Here is the statistical
breakdown:
 Israel is 1/8 size of Minnesota.
 Israel is about 50 miles wide;
300 miles long.
 Minnesota is 406 miles north-tosouth, and extreme width is 358
miles.
 Israel’s population is approaching
7.7 million with 5.8 million Jewish
citizens
 Minnesota’s population is 5.2 million
On the other hand, a second national
liberation movement, Palestinian
Nationalism, would be born as a result
of Zionism, as residents of a somewhat
remote province of the Ottoman Empire
had their national consciousness
She is bordered by the Mediterranean
Sea on the west, Lebanon and Syria to
the north and northeast, the Palestinian
Authority territory and Jordan to the
east, Egypt and the Gaza District to the
south and southwest. This link provides
a series of maps of Israel and her place
in the region that span millennia.
http://tinyurl.com/ToAIsrael2
10
Dr. Steven Derfler
She had virtually no commercial fossil
fuel resources until the discovery of the
Leviathon and Tamar offshore natural
gas fields in the last couple of years. Yet
Israel leads the world in development of
alternative energy sources, such as solar and alternative electric uses.
http://tinyurl.com/ToAIsrael1
An international educational
consultant, public speaker,
archaeologist, historian, researcher,
teacher and writer, Dr. Derfler has
been uncovering the histories of
Ancient Civilizations for 35 years.
Tracing the development of
western religions from their roots in
the Middle East and Eastern
Mediterranean countries, Dr. Derfler
brings insight to current political
and social events, bridging the past
with the future to promote greater
understanding between people from
different faiths and walks of life.
Social Justice - AVolunteer Committee
TIME TO GIVE BACK!!!
If you were to speak with any
 If you are interested in building you must
of the Temple’s members
commit to a full day that starts at 8:30 am
who have participated in a
and ends at 4:00 pm.
Habitat for Humanity build
 If you are interested in acting as a site
over the past several years,
host you need to be at the site at 8:15 to
you would hear how rewardsign in volunteers for the day and process
ing an experience it is and
some paperwork. The site host also
how they look forward to
arranges the purchase of light breakfast
each summer’s new project.
items, welcomes everyone, alerts
You do not have to be handy
volunteers to breaks and helps the lunch
with a hammer or a paint
volunteers set up lunch.
brush. You can assist in many
Temple of Aaron members participated in
ways. Please consider talking
 If you are interested in providing lunch
summer 2010 Habitat project.
to a friend, your club memyou need to arrive at the site at 11:30 am
bers, your family and volunto set up. We recommend a dairy meal and
teer this summer, whether on your own or with a group. WE ARE
ask that you bring a few bags of salty snacks for the
ENCOURAGING VOLUNTEERS OF ALL AGES – PLEASE SIGN UP
afternoon break as well.
– YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY YOU DID!
 If you have any previous building experience, please contact
Sue at suellenflynn1@comcast.net or 651-683-0706. We
Temple of Aaron (with Interfaith Builders) will be building from
need crew chiefs and/or building supervisors.
July 25 - Aug 5. Volunteers can work any date(s) either of these
two weeks. The project will be a new construction at 967
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to empower a family to
Edgerton St, St Paul. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is
embark on a new path – it is a tremendously rewarding
requesting 15-18 volunteers a day, not including the site host.
experience. Ask friends to join you and call Sue today or
Temple of Aaron is planning to provide 2-3 lunch meals for
contact Alexandria Ganzel at ganzel@comcast.net
approximately 20-25 people during this 2 week time period.
Vic Rosenthal Meets President Obama
Join Us for JCA’s Annual Celebration !
Sunday, July 17, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis
Jewish Community Action’s Annual Celebration will take place
on July 17, 2011. The Temple of Aaron Social Justice
Committee greatly values the work of JCA and encourages
all members of the congregation to attend and celebrate all
that has been accomplished by this organization in 2010.
The event will include:
On Tuesday, May 17, JCA’s
Vic Rosenthal attended an
event at the White House
to honor National Jewish
Heritage Month. Vic had
the opportunity to meet
and speak with President
Obama.
 A presentation of the Wellstone Call to Justice
Award to leaders of the Northside Community Reinvestment
Coalition (NCRC).
 A few words from Congressman Keith Ellison
 A picnic lunch
Temple of Aaron member Vic
Rosenthal at the White House
This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, or if you
have questions, please call Vic at (651) 632-2184 or e-mail
vic@jewishcommunityaction.org.
11
3
9 am Service
Men’s Club Breakfast
6 pm Service
31
9 am Service
Men’s Club Breakfast
6 pm Service
24
9 am Service
Men’s Club Breakfast
6 pm Service
17
9 am Service
Men’s Club Breakfast
6 pm Service
10
9 am Service
Men’s Club Breakfast
6 pm Service
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
25
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
18
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
11
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
U.S. Independence Day
4
9 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
26
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
19
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
12
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
5
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
27
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
20
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
13
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
6
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
www.templeofaaron.org
28
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
21
7:30 am Minyan
Jack Geller Bar Mitzvah
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
14
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
7 pm Bldg. Closes
7
7:30 am Minyan
6 pm Minyan
6:30 pm Talmud Class
7:30 pm Bible Class
For more information on these and other events and programs, please visit our website at
SUNDAY
Temple of Aaron Calendar of Events
Candlelighting 8:23pm
29
7:30 am Minyan
8 pm Service-ESL
Candlelighting 8:31pm
22
7:30 am Minyan
8 pm Service
Candlelighting 8:37pm
15
7:30 am Minyan
8 pm Service
Candlelighting 8:41 pm
8
7:30 am Minyan
8 pm Service-ESL
Sam Shapiro Bar Mitzvah
Candlelighting 8:43pm
1
7:30 am Minyan
8 pm Service
FRIDAY
30
8 am Coffee w/Rashi & Friends
9 am Service
6 pm Minyan
23
8 am Coffee w/Rashi & Friends
9 am Service
Lunch n’Learn with Rabbi Stiefel
6 pm Minyan
16
8 am Coffee w/Rashi & Friends
9 am Service
6 pm Minyan
9
9 am Service
Sam Shapiro Bar Mitzvah
6 pm Minyan
2
9 am Service
6 pm Minyan
SATURDAY
July 2011
Sivan - Tammuz 5771
B’nai Mitzvah
Sam Shapiro, son of Ari and Ellyn Shapiro, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on July 8-9, 2011.
Sam will be in eighth grade at Seabury Hall in Maui, Hawaii, where he participates in soccer, marching
band and track. He also enjoys surfing, piano and reading.
Sam has designated Herzl Camp for his tzedaka contribution.
Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush refreshments will be sponsored by his grandmother, Lisa Capp,
great-grandparents Martin and Esther Capp, and grandparents Roman and Lesley Sabora.
Sam Shapiro
Jack Geller, son of Randy Geller, Jennie Ettinger and Stephen Ettinger, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on
his birthday, July 21, 2011.
Jack is entering the seventh grade at St. Paul Academy, where he participates in band and basketball.
He also enjoys skiing, boating, hockey and spending time with family and friends.
Jack has designated “Humor To Fight The Tumor” for his tzedaka contribution.
A brunch will follow the service for all in attendance.
Jack Geller
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
616 S. Mississippi River Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55116-1099
Temple of Aaron
Permit No. 1328
St. Paul, MN
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