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Rabbi Carl M. Perkins |
Peter Seresky, President Gil Brodsky, Editor |
January 7, 2009, Wednesday, 11 Tebeth, 5769 |
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Our condolences go out to Susan and Carl Rubin and their family of the passing of Susan’s father, Irving (Fred) Koffman, on Sunday afternoon. The funeral will be held at 1 pm today (Wednesday) at Levine’s in Brookline, with burial in the Baker Street Cemetery. Shiva will be held at the Rubin house at 19 Churchill Lane in Needham, after the funeral through 9 pm on Wednesday, with a minyan at 7:30, then from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 on Thursday, with a minyan at 7:30 pm, and then on Friday from 1 to 3 pm.
Hamakom yinacheim otam... May the Divine Presence comfort them, among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to Janie and Gerry Rabinovitz, on the recent engagement of their daughter Jennifer.
Rally to support Israel — Thursday evening at Mishkan Tefillah
Boston Wants Peace for Israel and Gaza: A community gathering will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 7:30 pm at Congregation Mishkan Tefilah at Chestnut Hill. This solidarity rally for Israel is organized by CJP, JCRC, AIPAC, ADL and AJC, and will support Israel , provide information, and offer activism opportunities.
The agenda is currently under work and will feature leading public leaders and an update on the Middle East and the political situation.
Come show your support of Israel ! Spread the word!
Sisterhood Open Meeting — Thursday, January 8 — postponed
In order to encourage people to attend the rally in Newton on Thursday night, we have postponed the open Sisterhood meeting. The topic, “The Alienation of Liberal Jewish Men from Judaism—and Why Jewish Women Should Care About This” will be discussed by Rabbi Perkins at a future meeting (date yet to be determined).
(Editor’s note: Apologies for incorrectly including the bio of the upcoming Sisterhood Shabbat speaker in this spot in the last edition.)
Coffee and News from Israel — this Sunday, January 11
Well, there certainly will be a lot to talk about! Please join us for nosh and discussion at 9:45 (following minyan), led by Rabbi Leslie Gordon. We will have a special guest speaker, Rabbi Gordon’s husband David Goodtree. David just went on Monday to Israel with a small, brief CJP mission of solidarity and information-gathering, to be returning just before Shabbat. He was asked to go to receive first-hand experience of the unfolding conflict so he could speak to groups of Jews, non-Jews, and media, and he has graciously volunteered to be our guest speaker this Sunday.
Minyan Shirah— January 9 and 23
We will have two minyanei shirah this month, both beginning at 6:15 pm. The first will be this Shabbat, January 9, to coincide with a special Erev Shabbat program for the Hey and Vav Religious School classes, and the second on the 23rd. Please join us in song and prayer!
Post-Kiddush Shabbat study sessions in January, beginning this Shabbat
Rabbi Perkins invites you to join him for a post Kiddush study session on the Ashrei on Shabbat morning January 10th. Come learn why the Rabbis loved the Ashrei so much that they encouraged us to recite it three times a day. Why the Ashrei? Why is it such a wonderful introduction to prayer? This topic fits in beautifully with the theme of Avodah, and we hope you can join us.
For a study session of a different sort, we invite you to a post-Kiddush Zmirot session as Cantor Bogomolni leads us in “Songs for the Shabbat Table.” We will meet after Kiddush on Shabbat mornings, January 17th and January 24th in the Board Room.
Tots Havdalah Program this Saturday
Please join us on Saturday, January 10 at 5:15 pm, for a Pajama Party for young families. Celebrate Havdalah with crafts, stories, and music with Rabbi B. Children are encouraged to come in their Pajamas. Families are invited to bring a pair of new pajamas (any children’s size) and/or a book which will be donated to the Pajama Program, a non-profit organization, that delivers warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need. Pizza dinner will be served. The cost is $10/family. RSVP ASAP to Karen Langsner.
Keruv Meeting this Sunday, January 11
All are welcome! The Keruv Committee is meeting this coming Sunday, January 11, from 11:15 am to 1:15 pm at the Temple. Come join us! Keruv means “bringing closer” or “drawing near” and refers to bringing interfaith couples and families closer to Judaism and Temple Aliyah in particular. The Keruv Committee addresses interfaith issues, whether they are interfaith issues in one’s immediate or extended family.
At this important meeting, we will be planning for the upcoming Keruv Shabbat, and working on a Keruv Committee brochure, including the Keruv Committee Mission Statement. Coffee and refreshments provided! RSVP or questions to Fredie Kay.
Please also save the date for a special Shabbat morning service sponsored by our Keruv Committee on March 7. Fern Chertok, M.A., Research Scientist at the Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University has agreed to be our guest speaker. More information will be coming soon.
Sisterhood Shabbat — January 31
This year the women of Temple Aliyah will be conducting the Shabbat service on January 31, 2009. Newcomers and seasoned pros are all welcome. There are roles for everyone—from English or Hebrew readings, to opening the Ark, and everything in-between. This is your chance to try out something new, and there are mentors ready, willing, and able to help you prepare for this special day. If you are interested in participating, please contact sisterhoodshabbat@yahoo.com.
This year’s
Special Guest Speaker will be Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz, noted Rabbi, medical doctor, and bioethicist. Rabbi Dr. Bortzwill deliver the d’var torah on “Women’s Prayers Through History and the Cycles of Life.” After Kiddush she will lead a discussion on “Jewish Dilemmas in Bioethics: Playing God or Praying to God.”
Originally from Argentina, Rabbi Dr. Bortz, heads Congregation Or Hadash in Atlanta, Georgia. She has taught and studied in various South American countries and Israel, as well as the United States. In her multiple roles she addresses scientific/medical advances from a Jewish perspective, and helps us address some of the most difficult ethical issues of our time. Our understanding of these issues and our reactions to these moral dilemmas can be traced back to our earliest prayers.
For more information please send a note to sisterhoodshabbat@yahoo.com.
Progressive Dinner
Save the date of Saturday night February 7th! Progressive dinner is back by popular demand. Anybody who would like to volunteer their home for one of the small gatherings or be involved in the planning of this great social event and community builder, or with any questions, please contact Nancy Rashap or Jan at the synagogue office.
Watch your ePULSE for details for this fun-filled evening. But act fast … as RSVPs are due by January 20th. The cost is $36/person.
New Programs and News from Cantor Gastón — First Chorus Rehearsal next Thursday
Cantor G wants to share some exciting news!
The TA Chorus is formally becoming an ongoing activity of the shul. The chorus will meet twice a month and will be working on many exciting music for different events. The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 at 7:45 pm, at the Temple, right after minyan. Future meeting dates are January 29, February 12, February 26, March 5, March 26 (and more to be announced). If you are at all interested in participating, please contact Rachel Abramson.
Purim Spiel: For the entertaining part of the Purim evening, Cantor G is putting together a great musical skit written by Norman Roth, “The Megillah According to the Beatles.” The Spiel includes both kids and grownups altogether. Rehearsals will start in January, so contact Cantor G if you are interested in being part of this amazing and fun production!
Weekday Ma’ariv Service on Cantor G’s website: If you would like to learn or review how to daven weekday Ma’ariv services, just click here.
Boogie Woogie Around the World with Cantor Gastón: Cantor G and the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton are offering a program of eight adventurous weeks for children 0-4 (accompanied by adult). Fasten your seatbelts and “fly” to a different country each week as Cantor Gastón takes you on a fun-filled, Jewish adventure of music, stories, and smiles. Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 am, January 7-March 4. The cost is $80 member, $95 non-member (pre registration is required by January 5). The Flyer with full info is here. Register on the JCC website.
Torah Gift follow-up
Keith Lewinstein, Ritual Committee chair, is seen here handing over one of our older Torah scrolls to Will Friedman, representing the Masorti congregation Kehillat Kedem in Jerusalem. See the letter (from our last edition) written by our President Peter Seresky describing this gift. |
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Men’s Club Shabbat
Save the date of February 7 for Men’s Club Shabbat. Any guy interested in participating in the service or in helping in any way should contact Jeff Lesse.
Donations needed for “SPIN” Program
From January 13 through the end of the month, we will be collecting for the Stray Pets in Need (SPIN) organization. SPIN is requesting old hand and bath towels, paper towels, and old receipts from Shaws and Stop and Shop for their cash for critters program. There will be a labeled bin in the lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Marla Simon. Thanks so much for your help!
On the Web site
Cantor Gastón’s bio page has been updated, with a new picture.
Rabbi Perkins’s sermon on Toldot (November 29, 2008), entitled “Three Reasons Not to be Ostentatious” has been posted.
Also, a d’var torah written by Rabbi Perkins for the Solomon Schechter Day School weekly “Shavuon” on parashat Mikketz, “Economic Hard Times” has also been re-“printed” on our site.
Rabbi Perkins’s 2008 Annual Report to the Congregation has also been posted (20 pages, well worth a thorough reading).
In the Community
The Magic Ark Series is located at the Leventhal -Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton Street Newton. Tickets available at 617-965-5226 or online.
Sunday, January 11 at 1pm and 3pm: ArtsPower National Touring Theatre presents “Rainbow Fish”: With her lovely coloring and shimmering scales, the Rainbow Fish is used to being the most beautiful creature in the ocean. So, when the other fish ask her for some of her silver scales she refuses. How can she sacrifice the one thing that makes her so unique? Marcus Pfisters beloved storybook is brought to life in this delightful and touching family musical about the value of sharing true friendship with others. Tickets: $9 general admission
Special Martin Luther King Day Magic Ark, Monday, January 19 at 11am and 1pm: Jason Bishop Magic Show. Young and hip, this dynamic magician performs visually stunning magic illusions in a unique and dazzling magic show. Jason’s charm and quick wit combined with his world-class magic tricks leave the audience with the sense that absolutely anything is possible. Voted the 2006 APCA Performing Artist of the Year, The Jason Bishop Show is truly a treat for the senses! Tickets: $9 general admission.
The Jewish Theatre of New England Presents a Comedy Cabaret, featuring Jon Fisch, Kelly MacFarland and Andy Pitz. Saturday, January 17, at 8pm. For more info, check out the JCC web site.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training: What can you learn in 90 minutes? Maybe enough to save someone’s life. Over the past few years, the Needham community has experienced several suicides that have impacted the town on many levels. In an effort to learn more about this topic and be of support to a person in distress, the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention and the Needham Youth Commission are offering QPR trainings. Investigate the myths surrounding suicide, explore the signs of suicide, discover the differences between suicide and self injury, and learn how to help to a person in distress. The QPR Suicide Prevention model (Question, Persuade, Refer) is based upon the following concepts:
Those who most need help in a suicidal crisis are the least likely to ask for it;
The person most likely to prevent a person dying by suicide is someone they already know; and
That prior to making a suicide attempt, a person typically sends warning signs of their distress and suicidal intent to those around them.
The program will take place on
Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at 7:00pm. Space is limited to 25 participants. Register with Jon Mattleman.
Schechter students present all-Hebrew My Fair Lady: The eighth-grade class at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston is presenting an all-Hebrew version of the musical My Fair Lady at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, January 19, and at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, in the Sorenson Center for the Arts at Babson College, Wellesley. This is the 17th Schechter production of a Broadway musical in Hebrew. Tickets are $15 and may be obtained by calling the Schechter office at 617-928-9100.
Schechter alumni currently in high school are invited to attend a pizza dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, January 19, followed by the 7 p.m. performance of My Fair Lady. For reservations, contact Sharon Mintz at 617-630-4523.
Families invited to Schechter Open Houses: Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston invites prospective students and their families to Open Houses at 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 9, and for grades 1-3 at 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 16. Families will be able to tour the Solomon Schechter Day School Lower School, visit classrooms, see art facilities, learn about the dual curriculum in both secular and Judaic studies, find out about financial aid programs, and meet members of the school community. Babysitting is provided. For information, contact Carol Rumpler at 617-964-7765, ext. 4608.
Jacob Rossmer is a clinical psychology graduate student conducting a research survey on how gay Jewish men adapt to identifying as both gay and Jewish. He is looking for participants to complete an online, anonymous, and entirely confidential survey. The survey takes between 25-30 minutes and will be used to further educate clinicians and the general public. If you are interested, please use this link.