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Rabbi Carl M. Perkins |
Peter Seresky, President Gil Brodsky, Editor |
January 23, 2009, Friday, 27 Tebeth, 5769 |
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Our condolences go out to Arna and Alan Margolies on the loss of Arna’s mother, Evelyn Bigman. The funeral will be held on Friday, January 23rd, at noon, at Bresniak-Rodman Chapel in West Newton, with interment at Beth Israel Memorial Park in Waltham. The family will be sitting shiva at the home of Arna’s father, Seymour Bigman, at 1600 Central Avenue in Needham (one block from the Temple), with shiva hours on Friday following the funeral, Saturday evening from 6-9 pm, and on Sunday and Monday, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Minyans will be held Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. (Please note: With all the snow, parking at the Bigman’s home, and along Central Avenue, is quite limited. It is safer for people to park at the synagogue and carefully make their way to the Bigman’s home.)
Hamakom yinacheim otam... May the Divine Presence comfort them, among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Progressive Dinner — Saturday night, February 7
DEADLINE EXTENDED !! We have convinced the caterer to give us a few extra days to turn in our numbers for our upcoming PROGRESSIVE DINNER. So … please … if you have been meaning to … but haven’t got to it yet … please send in your rsvp by Thursday, January 29th to Jan at the synagogue office at jan@templealiyah.com. Just think – you’ll get to enjoy appetizers at one spot, dinner at another, and dessert together with everyone at a third! All with no cooking, no cleaning up. So … plan to come … and enjoy … only $36 per person. Email Jan now!
New Teen Shabbat Program beginning this Shabbat, January 24
This week, Temple Aliyah is starting a monthly Teen Shabbat discussion program. It will be an informal discussion about prayer and faith. It will also be an opportunity for Aliyah High Schoolers to get together and enjoy some Shabbas time together with Rabbi Jethro Berkman. Best of all, it starts at 11:00 so your teen can still sleep late! The first meeting is coming up this week, on Saturday, January 24 at 11. Of course, kiddush will follow. We hope your high schooler will give it a try.
Minyan Shirah— tonight, January 23
Please join us in song and prayer, beginning at 6:15 pm.
Post-Kiddush Shabbat study sessions in January continue
Continuing where we left off last week, 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 this Shabbat, January 24th.
Tot Shabbat — next Friday, January 30
Join Cantor Bogomolni, beginning at 6:15 pm, for an evening of songs, stories, and fun, for families of preschoolers and toddlers, and stay for a delicious Shabbat family dinner!
This is the second of four Tot Shabbat programs this year, a series of special Friday night programs for children 0-6 years old and their families. The cost is $18 per adult, $9 per child 6-and-up, children 5-and-under FREE. For more information, contact Bess Weiskopf ASAP or check out the flier online.
Sisterhood Shabbat — January 31
The women of Temple Aliyah will be conducting the Shabbat service on January 31, 2009. 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.
Havdalah and Movie night — Saturday, January 24
Join us for this fun, family-friendly event, this Saturday, January 24 at 5:00. We'll start with a light meal (se'udah shlishit), and continue with Havdalah and a choice of three movies: “The Visitor” for adults; “Evan Almighty” for older kids; and “Ratatouille” for younger kids (or the very young at heart).
Meditation Shabbat
Our next Shabbat meditation will take place on February 7, beginning at 9:15 iin the Library. Our March program will take place on March 14.
Men’s Club Shabbat
Our annual Men’s Club Shabbat will be held on February 7. Join us as the laymen of our congregation lead the entire service. Our special guest will be our own Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, who will sing selections from and discuss a special cantata in honor of Shabbat Shirah.
Megillah Readers needed
PURIM READERS WELCOME: Are you interested in chanting the Megillah during Purim services? Whether you've done so before or have always wanted to learn, we welcome your participation. This year, Purim services are Monday night, March 9 and Tuesday morning, March 10, and volunteers are needed for one or both days. If you're new to the text or the trope, we're happy to support you with tapes, etc. Members can even take on part of a chapter (or just a few verses) to be involved. Want more info? Please contact Dawn Ringel.
Book Club — date changed to Tuesday, February 24
Temple Aliyah Sisterhood invites you to the next Book Group meeting where we’ll be discussing The World to Come by Dara Horn. Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at 7:45 p.m. (right after minyan), in the Temple Library (please note the change of date from prior notices).
At the center of the story is Benjamin Ziskind, a former child prodigy who now spends his days writing questions for a television trivia show. After Ben's twin sister Sara forces him to attend a singles cocktail party at a Jewish museum, Ben spots Over Vitebsk, a Chagall sketch that once hung in the twins' childhood home. Convinced the painting was wrongfully taken from his family, Ben steals the work of art and enlists his twin to create a forgery to replace the stolen Chagall. What follows is a series of interwoven stories that trace the life and times of the famous painting, and the fate of those who come into contact with it.
Art Show — March 4-8 — Save the date
Save the Date for the 2009 Temple Aliyah Fundraising Event – an Art Show & Sale! We will be bringing the work of various Israeli artists to our Temple, giving you a chance to support the Temple, Israel, and get something special for you or your household. We will have oil paintings, silk paintings, photographs, Judaica, microcalligraphy, jewelry, wine … and so much more. Watch for the invitation and flyers, but don’t forget to put March 4th-8th on your calendar now!
Passport to Israel — deadline approaching
Attention all 3rd and 7th grade parents: It’s Passport to Israel season at Temple Aliyah! All 3rd and 7th graders are eligible to participate in this exciting program, which helps fund teenage trips to Israel. Please return the registration forms to the Temple as soon as possible - the deadline is March 1. If you need forms or any additional information, please contact Amy or Len Bard.
Donations for Rosie’s Place
It’s time for our annual collection of unopened travel size soaps, shampoos, conditioners, etc. to give to Rosie’s Place visitors. On February 4, the Heh class will be learning about Rosie’s Place and making up toiletry bags. A labeled bin will be in the lobby by January 25. If you have any questions, contact Marla Simon. Thank you for your help and generosity.
Koach Kallah
College students from throughout North America will gather to warm their bodies and their souls at this year’s Koach Kallah, February 26 to March 1, at the Brandeis-Bardin campus of the American Jewish University in Simi Valley, California. This year’s scholar in residence will be Rabbi Brad Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, and the Kallah will focus on “Jew Meets World: Protecting the heavens, guarding the earth.” The weekend’s highlights will include inspiring learning on spirituality and social and environmental responsibility, hands-on work in the community, and an unparalleled Shabbat experience. Registration is online at the Koach web site. Scholarships are available. This is a tremendous opportunity for students to come together to share the best of what Conservative Judaism has to offer.
The TA Klezmer Band gets a new name, a new web site, and a new gig!
Shpilkes Klezmer Band (formerly known as The Temple Aliyah Klezmer Band) will be performing at UnCommon Coffeehouse in Framingham on Saturday, February 21 at 8:00 pm. For more information visit the coffee house's web site or the Shpilkes site on MySpace.