Friday, December 22, 2006

December 22 and 29, 2006 – Tevet 2 and 9, 5767

December 22 and 29, 2006 – Tevet 2 and 9, 5767

 

Rabbi Joshua HammermanTemple Beth El, StamfordConnecticut

 

Send your friends and relatives the gift of Jewish awareness -- a Shabbat-O-Gram each week, by signing them up at www.tbe.org.  To be removed from this mailing list, sent e-mail request to office@tbe.org.  If you have signed up and are not receiving our e-mails, check your spam filter to make sure that TBE is not being “spammed out.”

 

Thank you to all our volunteers who will be helping at homeless shelters and other facilities this weekend, as well as all those who have been visiting nursing homes and hospitals during this holiday season.  Among them were our K-2 students at Brighton gardens, pictured below:

 

 

And thanks also to those who made last weekend’s Hanukkah celebration HERE so special, including our choirs (who have been spreading cheer all over town this week!), volunteers (including our Sisterhood gift shop volunteers, teens, and Board of Ed members, all of whom pitched in big-time), teachers, dreidel spinners (including our champion – by a razor thin margin – Robbie Katz), creative Menorah designers, and last but certainly not least, Eran Vaisben and Cant0r Littman.

 

 

 

Photos of our Primary Grades’ visit to Brighton Gardens

as well as our grand Hanukkah Celebration of last Sunday.

Check out www.tbe.org for lots more pictures of those events, plus

our extensive library of photo albums,

articles, sermons, info about the temple,

Shabbat-O-Grams and links to the Jewish world.

 

http://www.lionetwork.net/images/Hanuka-LH.swf

Click on the candles!

(thanks to Beth Boyer for forwarding this one)

 

 

 

Contents of the Shabbat O Gram:

(Click to scroll down)

 

Just the Facts (service schedule)  

The Beth El Bar/Bat Mitzvah Commentary (new)

The (Occasionally) Ranting Rabbi

Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunities

Ask the Rabbi

Spiritual Journey on the Web   

Required Reading and Action Items (links to key articles on Israel and Jewish life)

 Announcements (goings on in and around TBE)

TBE Youth Programming

Joke for the Week

 

 

 

Quote for the Week

 

“With blessings of light, of hope, of peace, of spirit—

we bring not might, not power, but the Breath of Life.”

Rabbi Arthur Waskow

 

 

JUST THE FACTS

 

Friday Evening 

 

Candle lighting: 4:12 pm on Friday, 22 December 2006 and 4:17 on the 29th (yes, it is getting later!)  For candle lighting times, Havdalah times, other Jewish calendar information, and to download a Jewish calendar to your PDA, click on http://www.hebcal.com/.  To see the festivals of other faiths as well, go to http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/

 

Shabbat Evening service: 6:30 PM – in the lobby on the 22nd, chapel on the 29th

 

Tot Shabbat: 6:45 – in the CHAPEL on the 22nd, no Tot Shabbat on the 29th.

 

Shabbat Morning: 9:30 AM

 

Children’s services: 10:30 AM – (Jr. Congregation service in the chapel, Tot Shabbat morning downstairs. 6th and 7th graders are expected to be in the main sanctuary. On Dec. 29, there will be no Junior Congregation, though Nurit’s service WILL be held – Jr Cong. kids are most welcome in the main sanctuary)

 

 

Our Torah Reading for Shabbat Morning

Parashat Mikketz
פרשת מקץ

Genesis 37:1 - 40:23– The Joseph story begins

1: 43:16-18
2: 
43:19-25
3: 
43:26-29
4: 
43:30-34
5: 
44:1-6
6: 
44:7-10
7: 
44:11-17

maf
Numbers 7:54-8:4  (for Hanukkah, 8th day)

Haftarah: Shabbat Chanukah II / I Kings 7:40-50)

If you liked Storahtelling, you’ll LOVE Storahtelling’s new weekly blog about the Torah portion Find it at http://storahtelling.blogspot.com/.  ORT Navigating the BibleRashi in EnglishBibleGateway: Useful for comparing different translations: Note- this is a Christian site.
What’s Bothering Rashi (Bonchek) Each week, one example from the parashah is deconstructed. See a weekly commentary from the UJC Rabbinic Cabinet, at www.ujc.org/mekorchaim.  Read the Masorti commentary at http://www.masorti.org/mason/torah/index.asp.  University of Judaism,  JTS commentary is at:
 http://www.jtsa.edu/community/parashah/. USCJ Torah Sparks can be found at: http://www.uscj.org/Torah_Sparks5689.html UAHC Shabbat Table Talk discussions are at http://urj.org/torah/index.cfm Other divrei Torah via the Torahnet home page: http://uahcweb.org/torahnet/. Test your Parasha I.Q.: http://www.ou.org/jewishiq/parsha/default.htmCLAL’s Torah commentary archive: http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvQhbV2AtLb/.  World Zionist Organization Education page, including Nehama Liebowitz archives of parsha commentaries: http://www.moreshet.net/web/index.asp?f=1 For a more Kabbalistic/Zionist/Orthodox perspective from Rav Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Israel, go to http://www.geocities.com/m_yericho/ravkook/index.html. For some probing questions and meditations on key verses of the portion, with a liberal kabbalistic bent, go to http://www.jewishealing.com/learning.html or, for Kabbalistic commentaries from the Zohar itself, go to http://www.kabbalah.com/k/index.php/p=zohar/weekly/intro.  Also, try  http://home.utah.edu/~rfs4/jkmfc.htm.  To see the weekly commentary from Hillel, geared to college students and others, go to  http://www.hillel.org/hillel/NewHille.nsf/FCB8259CA861AE57852567D30043BA26/DF7D129F15B3DF0885256AB80058E9C3?OpenDocument. For a Jewish Renewal and feminist approach go to http://rabbishefagold.hypermart.net/Torah1.html .  For a comprehensive Orthodox viewpoint from the Israeli rabbi, Yaakov Fogelman, go to the Torah Outreach Program at http://israelvisit.co.il/top/previous.shtml.  Guided meditations for each portion by Judith Abrams at http://www.maqom.com/kavannah.pdf For online Parsha quizzes from Pardes in Israel, go to  http://www.pardes.org.il/online_learning/parsha_quizzes/ Torah for Kids: http://www.torah4kids.net/  Weekly Lesson of Popular Israeli Rabbi Mordechai Elonhttp://www.elon.org/archives/archives.htm - and his parsha sheets: http://www.mibereshit.org/special/download_eng_pdf.htm   From Bar Ilan University: http://www.biu.ac.il/JH/Parasha/eng/http://www.torahproductions.com/weekly_article.jsp

 

THE ENTIRE HEBREW BIBLE (AS WELL AS OTHER JEWISH SOURCES) CAN BE FOUND WITH SIDE-BY-SIDE TRANSLATION AT http://www.mechon-mamre.org/

100 Blessings: Download information about the grace after meals (see Birkat Ha-mazon explained in Wikipedia and in the Jewish Virtual Library)  The actual prayer can be downloaded at Birkat Hamazon [pdf]

 

Morning Minyan

7:30 Weekdays, 9:30 Sundays

We’ve had Guaranteed Minyan requests (including from me) for yahrzeits on Sunday, December 24.  If you can make it, please take a moment to sign up at the Rosner Minyan Maker at www.tbe.org.

 

TO ENSURE A “GUARANTEED MINYAN” FOR THE DAY OF YOUR YAHRZEIT – GO TO THE ROSNER MINYAN MAKER AT WWW.TBE.ORG AND ALSO CONTACT ME AT RABBI@TBE.ORG.

 

We’ve had several people coming lately who are saying kaddish following recent deaths in the family.  We want to make sure we have a minyan each day. Your presence any morning is greatly appreciated!

Please sign up at the Rosner Minyan Maker at www.tbe.org

 

 

The Beth El Bar/Bat Mitzvah Commentary

 

Samantha Wise’s Commentary of December 16: Parshat Va-Yeshev

 

This is an amazing day. On the same Shabbat, we bring together the three most famous sets of siblings in Jewish history. In the Torah, we read (red) about Joseph and his brothers. On Chanukah, we celebrate the victories of Judah Maccabi and his brothers. And perhaps, more famous than both, on Passover, we always read about the wise child, who questions tradition.  We have with us today, three Wise children: my sisters and me.

 

So it’s natural that I would want to talk about siblings. In the first case, we see Joseph and his 11 brothers constantly fighting. Then, we see Judah and his four brothers all uniting to fight for a higher cause. And finally, we have the Wise family, whom we find somewhere in between.

 

My sisters and I do fight occasionally, although we are usually as united, like the Maccabees.

 

Joseph thought too highly of himself and used to gloat all of the time: his brothers hated him for it. As for the Wises, sometimes we try to 1-up each other, but it’s not nearly as bad as with Joseph and his brothers. Unlike Joseph and his brothers, most of the time when it comes to competition, it’s sort of a joke for us.

 

What else caused Joseph’s family to break down? One problem was tattling. Because it is mentioned before anything else, some commentators believe that it was tattling that caused Joseph’s brothers to hate him the most.

 

In my family, tattling usually works. Each of us knows that if we are the ones to go to our parents, we’ll get to watch the others get in trouble. We also realize that it is not the best way for us to get along, and that we should try to work it out.

 

An even greater concern for Joseph was that Jacob clearly favored him.  Favoritism is a BIG PROBLEM! The great thing about my parents is that they do not favor one of us over the other. This solves many problems before they even start.

 

After Joseph has his dreams, his brothers go north to take care of the flocks. Jacob sends Joseph north to visit them. It is one of the all-time dumb parenting moves. The last thing you do when people are angry is send their foe to visit them on their own turf. It reminds me of the time where my sister invaded my personal space by borrowing my camera without permission. So, I tattled on her, but in this case, it didn’t work. Eventually, I got over it and did not throw her into a pit or sell her to Ishmaelites for some pieces of silver.

 

Unlike Joseph’s brothers, my family has a lot in common with the Maccabees. The Maccabees worked together to defeat the Greeks, who were much greater in number, but weaker in willpower.  Once a year, my family has to take firewood from the backyard to the front door. There are many more logs than there are hands, but we work together and make many trips back and forth. At the end of the day, we’re all warm. In addition, we cheer for each other. No family is louder than us when we are in the stands. During the softball season, we yell like crazy for each other, hoping that the encouragement will stimulate good performance on the field.

 

And one other thing I’ve learned about family is that it can extend well beyond those who are directly related. My bat mitzvah is the last one for my grade. I think now is a great time to reflect on how close we have all become. Now, we are like a huge family, made for trusting, laughing, and sharing. We know now who shares our interests, who will be there for us, and who really understands our personalities. I’m really glad I get to see many of you at Kulanu.

 

Each of us has a little bit of the wise child in us.  But only if we learn the lessons of Judaism’s most famous siblings, the Maccabees and Jacob’s kids, can we all become one wise family.

 

For my bat mitzvah project, I am donating sports equipment to kids in impoverished communities. It is important that my “brothers and sisters” around the world get to play the games we all love. Sports are such a joy for me, and I want every kid to be able to share this feeling.

 

While we are on the topic of charity, I would like to explain the significance of my bema baskets. All of the toys in the baskets are going to be given to patients from newborn to 18 years, through David’s Treasure Tree program. These toys can be used during the patients’ hospital stay or are given to the patients to take home. I think the patients and their families will appreciate these gifts, which will hopefully make their holidays enjoyable, no matter where they celebrate.

 

 

 

 

The

 (occasionally)

Ranting Rabbi

 

 

The Conservative Movement to Provide

“TSEDEK HEKHSHER”

 

New kosher certification would track worker dignity and worker safety

 

Not all the news from the Conservative Movement is about this month’s landmark decision by the Law Committee .  Here’s an item announced this week that speaks of a vibrant, relevant and new approach to Jewish values and halakha.  Let me know what you think! 

 

NEW YORK – A new commission of the Conservative movement of Judaism is exploring the possibility of establishing a “tsedek hekhsher,” a certification that food and meat processors have met a set of standards that determine the social responsibility of kosher food producers, particularly in the area of workers’ rights. 

 

The commission was appointed by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly in response to published reports describing alleged unsafe working conditions and worker mistreatment at the nation’s largest kosher meatpacking plant, AgriProcessors, Inc., in PostvilleIowa.  It set out to determine if the charges were accurate, to learn about working conditions at the plant, and to establish next steps, if needed, to help ensure workers’ dignity, safety and rights within the context of Jewish law, values and tradition. 

 

The commission’s overriding objective is to ensure that the American Jewish community can continue to be able to buy kosher meat with full confidence in its integrity as a kosher product and in the presence of Jewish values in the production process.

 

The commission conducted site visits of AgriProcessors’ Postville plant in August and September, 2006, meeting with a wide variety of people in both labor and management, including Rabbi Sholom Mordecai Rubashkin, vice president of AgriProcessors, as well as other community leaders.

 

As a result of their numerous conversations, the commission concluded that there were indeed significant issues of concern at the plant, including those of worker health and safety.

 

Members of the commission subsequently met again with Rabbi Rubashkin in November to review their preliminary recommendations and to explore ways of moving those recommendations forward.  Throughout their three visits, the commission emphasized a commitment to building a trusting relationship with the plant management to solve any problems.

 

In a December letter the commission’s chair, Rabbi Morris Allen, AgriProcessors committed to retaining a consultant to further review employee safety and health procedures and to take specific steps to address the commission’s concerns.

 

Several commission members also toured the Empire Kosher Poultry Plant in MifflintownPA.  Overall, the commission found working conditions, safety conditions and general worker welfare and community relations not to be issues of concern at the Empire plant.

 

The commission intends to continue working with these and other kosher food manufacturers to ensure adherence to Jewish values in the production of kosher food and will be conducting other site visits. 

 

As the humane treatment of animals is at the heart of the laws surrounding kosher slaughter, further visits may include assessments of the conditions and treatment of animals.  Additional study may also include an assessment of the effects of their products on the environment by these same and other food processors.

 

The issue of working conditions in the kosher food industry was first reported by the Forward newspaper in May, 2006.

 

For more information contact Richard Lederman (301) 230-0801 ext. 1, Steve Rabinowitz (202) 265-3000, Shira Dicker (212) 663-4643 or Joanne Palmer (212) 533-7800 ext. 2601.

 

And speaking of Jewish ethics and food, check out this new Website in progress:  http://www.jcarrot.org/ - Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues

It is the brainchild of Nigel Savage, founder of Hazon,

who came here as scholar in residence a few years ago.

 

“The Jew and the Carrot features the intersection between Jews, food and contemporary life.

The Jewish community has an amazingly complex relationship to food. As the rest of the world is waking up to the notion of sustainable agriculture, local foods, and healthy eating, so is the Jewish community in the States and in Israel.

We want to:

  • Raise the quality of discussion about contemporary food issues in the Jewish community.
  • Convey a sense of importance and joy around food.
  • Challenge and inspire participants to think deeply and broadly about their own food choices.

The Jew and the Carrot is a project of Hazon, an organization dedicated to a more healthy and sustainable Jewish community on the road to a more healthy and sustainable world for all.”

 

There you will find more on such fascinating stories as this:

 

Believing is seeing by Sarah Rose

 

The L.A. Times asks why we’re inclined to see the divine in a grilled cheese sandwich?

The word for it is “pareidolia” - perceiving patterns where none are intended.

“There’s a yearning out there for things spiritual; people have a great spiritual hunger.”

 

 

Back to that OTHER issue, for those who would like to read the actual position papers, they are available online at the Rabbinical Assembly Website:

 

 

 

 

 

Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunties

 

 

 

Beth El Cares
 
Cathy Satz (968-9191; csscounsel@yahoo.com)
Cheryl Wolff (968-6361; cwolff@optonline.net)
BETH EL CARES co-chairs
 
 
2006 CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AT ST. LUKE’S AND PACIFIC HOUSE
 
This year, Beth El Cares will be continuing a long-standing tradition of serving dinner 
at St. Luke’s and Pacific House on Christmas Eve. 
We need two team captains, one to head up the volunteers at each location, 
and we need volunteers to donate the following to make these dinners a success:
 
Cooked turkey 
Stuffing
Cans of Gravy
Cranberry Sauce (cans or homemade)
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casseroles
Tossed Salad with Dressing on the Side
Cooked Vegetables
Fresh Fruit
Dessert
Rolls and Butter
Breads (Banana, Cranberry)
Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Artificial Sweetener and Milk
Paper Goods (plates, silverware, hot and cold cups, and napkins)
 
If it’s easier for you, make a Monetary Contribution towards the above items 
and we’ll do the shopping.  
Make your checks payable to Temple Beth El Cares 
and note in the memo area “Beth El Cares/Xmas Eve dinner.”  
Please send your checks to the office by Thursday, December 21.
 
PLEASE BRING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TEMPLE ON SUNDAY, 
DECEMBER 24 BETWEEN 9 AM AND NOON 
AND WE’LL TRANSPORT THE MEAL TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCATION.
 
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A TEAM CAPTAIN, 
MAKE A DONATION OR HELP SERVE, 
PLEASE CONTACT CHERYL WOLFF AT 968-6361 TO SIGN UP.

 

 

Mitzvah of “Shavat Aveyda” – Lost and Found

 

            It is considered a great mitzvah to return lost objects to their owner.   The mitzvah is fulfilled, in part, by posting a public announcement.  Here are two items that have been found recently:

 

            -- a child’s watch, with the name “Alex” on it.  may have been lost during our recent Synaplex Sisterhood dinner and service

 

            -- a navy blue baseball cap, left in the rabbi’s office.  It has no logo.

           

            Please contact our office if you wish to claim one of these items.

 

 

 

Campaign for the Captive Soldiers

Light A Candle -- Wear a Dogtag -- Remember the Soldiers

 

This Hanukkah, as you gather together with family and friends, we ask you to think about those who are unable to do so: captive Israeli soldiers, taken from their families and country in the line of duty. In addition to the three soldiers abducted this past summer, four soldiers were taken in Lebanon in the 1980's and one soldier disappeared in the 1990's from the Golan. All of them, Israel's young soldiers, are modern-day Maccabbees - they defend the Jewish homeland, enabling Israel to build and sustain a flourishing society based on democratic values.

As we are warmed by the light of the menorah, let us keep in mind these brave men who are now in the hands of terrorists, denied even their basic rights under the Geneva Convention.

It is imperative that we not forget these soldiers and their deplorable situation. This Hanukkah, the American Zionist Movement (AZM) calls upon Jews to remember this vital issue. Each night, as you kindle the Hanukkah candles, we ask you to think about one of the captive soldiers. AZM has provided the names of the soldiers and a paragraph about each for you to read as you light the holiday candles. We urge you also to share the concept and the materials with your family and friends.

While you are shopping for holiday gifts, please consider giving dogtags, engraved with the names of the three abducted Israeli soldiers, Ehud GoldwasserEldad Regev and Gilad Shalit. Show your solidarity by wearing a dogtag, distribute them at rallies, at your school and to friends. To purchase dogtags, go to the Zionist Store at http://azm.org/zzone.shtml or call 212-318-6100.

By lighting the Hanukkah candles, you are united not only with your family members and friends with whom you share the special moment, but also with Jews around the world who are also celebrating the Festival of Lights. This Hanukkah, take some time to reflect on the power of this connection and our responsibility to each other, especially those who place themselves in harm's way in order to protect our nation and its people.

For more information and to find out what you can do to make a difference, please visit http://www.azm.org/soldiers.shtml.

AZM wishes you and your family a Hanukkah filled with happiness and peace.

 

Israel's Captive Soldiers

Gilad Shalit, abducted from southern Israel into Gaza on June 25, 2006
Ehud Goldwasser, abducted from Northern Israel, July 12, 2006
Eldad Regev,abducted from Northern Israel, July 12, 2006
Guy Hever, disappeared from his army base, August 17, 1997
Ron Arad, shot down over Lebanon,October 16, 1986
Zachary Baumel, missing-in-action since June 11,1982
Zvi Feldman, missing-in-action since June 11, 1982
Yehuda Katz, missing-in-action since June 11, 1982

For more information about the soldiers to share with your family and friends please visit the AZM website  

 

 

 

ASK THE RABBI

 

Why Do We Not Blow Out the Havdalah Candle?

 

 

 

A congregant asked me recently why it is that at the conclusion of the Havdalah service ending Shabbat, instead of blowing out the candle, we dip in the wine that is also used for the ceremony.  Since this end of the calendar year is a time of division, much as Havdalah separates one week from the next and sacred time of Shabbat from the workweek, I thought this would be a nice time to respond.  It is also noteworthy that this year, the havdalah candle will mark not only the end of Shabbat, but the end of Hanukkah as well (although that holiday is not typically concluded with such a ceremony). Also, next month, on January 21, our Synaplex Shabbat will conclude with a famil havdalah program to take place at the Stamford Nature Center’s observatory – so we can count the stars up close!

 

Thanks so much for the question! 

 

The answer comes from the Talmud (tractate Eruvin 61a).  “Any house where wine flows generously like water is a place of blessing.”  While the rabbis always preached moderation in drinking – and just about anything else – they also saw wine as a symbol of joy and blessing, of spontaneity and creativity.  So the spilling of a little wine creates that sense of wine flowing.  That’s why we typically spill it into a plate before dipping the candle.   The extinguishing of the candle provides a practical purpose for the spilling of wine.

 

BTW, the candle has multiple wicks  for at least two reasons: 1) it creates a torch-like effect, symbolizing the renewal of creative activity with the new workweek beginning, and 2) the blessing “me’oray ha esh” speaks of the One who “lights flames,” with “flames” in the plural.  Each flame is a combination of many colored flames…and the people of Israel are represented in all their diversity here. but the wicks are intertwines, because our destinies are woven together.

 

Shabbat Shalom … and Shavua tov (a good week!)

 



 

 

Spiritual Journey on the Web

 

Jewish Identity Quiz: What Am I, Chopped Liver?

From Beliefnet

Let's face it: At some point, you've discussed your Jewish identity, or lack thereof. You have explained, justified, wrangled with, or laughed at your religious and ethnic identity, and how it relates to American society. And let's face it, you ended up every time in the same place: Entrenched positions and hackneyed categories.

To further the debate--and add a bit of levity to it--Beliefnet offers a Jewish identity quiz that will label you in an entirely new way: Jewish foods. Sure, its silly, but we hope this quiz will still be fun and thought provoking. So grab a bowl of chicken soup, take the quiz, find out what Jewish food group you belong to, and discuss your Jewish identity (or our quiz's shortcomings) when you are done.

Find the quiz at  http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=76

 

A PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY -- TEFILLAT HA DERECH

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON VACATION THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS, HERE IS THE JEWISH WAYFARER’S PRAYER: TEFILLAT HADERECH.  DOWNLOAD, USE IT, HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY, AND RETURN TO US IN PEACE!

http://home.comcast.net/~judaism/Siddur/transliterations/daily/travelersprayer.htm

 (transliterated)You can also download it to your Palm at PocketYidhttp://www.reznet.com/web/pocketyid/texts.htm

A nice loose, translation can be found at http://www.jacsweb.org/Library/bookshelf/articles/art_1.html

 

 

 

 

Required Reading and Action Items

 

 

Let’s begin with GOOD NEWS from Israel 21c, www.isrealli.org and other sources

 

Rwanda to pattern youth village on Israeli Ethiopian model  
A delegation of Rwandan education officials recently spent a week in Israel learning how to set up a youth village for the multitudes of children who were left orphans by the horrific 1994 genocide. Their model? The Yemin Orde Youth Village - which has raised thousands of Israeli children of Ethiopian origin, who suffered through similar stories of parent separation, trauma and displacement. And in a triumphant circle, some of those Israelis - now skilled adults - will soon be traveling to Rwanda to help set up and run the Agahozo Shalom Youth VillageMore...

Podcasting History

First there was music – ipods and the like holding hundreds of songs that you could slip into your pocket and listen to anywhere, anytime. Then there were videos – I’ve started to get used to seeing people sitting on the subway watching TV on their pocket-sized video ipods. Finally, the next breakthrough in personal entertainment technology has arrived: history lessons.

Ok, not what you were expecting. But Yaron Abramowitz of Ankori high school in Tel Aviv thought otherwise. With his students’ pre-college exams coming up, he was looking for a good way to help the average students get ahead and perhaps make things easier for those who have a hard time sitting down for hours going through textbooks and notebooks. So he branched out into the medium his students seemed to work with best: mp3s. Abramowitz, noting that the vast majority of his students walked around with mp3 players, took on the task of recording lessons, summaries, and entire book chapters as mp3s so that his students could study anywhere, anytime.

Continue reading Podcasting History…

 

Health | In Israel, virtual-reality systems help with disability rehabilitation  
The Sheba Rehabilitation Hospital near Tel Aviv is one of only a dozen facilities worldwide using a Israeli-developed virtual-reality system to rehabilitate disabled patients. The Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment puts patients at the helm of a life-size video game, forces them to use atrophied muscles and teaches the basic skills necessary to recover from severe injuries and disorders More...

 

 

Technology | Israeli optical breakthrough poised to change the world of mobile entertainment   
Mobile phones and ipods with video features are great, but the picture leaves a lot to be desired. Now, Israeli-developed 'designer' eyeglasses with proprietary optic lenses promise to make the squint problems passé. Lumus-Optical's lightweight, fashionable video eyeglasses provide users with a personal high tech video display. Available to US consumers next year, the unobtrusive eyeglasses feature a large see-through screen floating in front of the viewer's face that projects their choice of movie, TV show or video game. More...

 

Health | Hawking finds Lou Gehrig's Disease research in Israel  
On Stephen Hawking's visit to Israel last week, he imparted his wisdom to scientists, students and even the prime minister. But the world's most famous victim of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, also learned something - the Israel Association for ALS has galvanized some of the country's brightest research minds to investigate the fatal disease. Due to its advanced work in both embryonic and adult stem cell research, as well as its proven track record with neurodegenerative diseases, the Israeli research community has the ability to be a world leader in finding a treatment for ALS, which affects 30,000 Americans. More...

 

Profiles | Israel's only female Arab MK fights for minorities on all fronts  
Growing up as a young Israeli Arab woman in Jaffa, Nadia Hilo wasn't even sure how to find Tel Aviv University when she first enrolled. But she knew that she "wanted to learn how to help society," and that knowledge has guided her throughout her journey from local leader to advocate for women's and children's rights and into a career in politics. Now, from her Knesset offices, she continues to work to change society in ways that will result in more opportunity for Arab women like herself, and for the country as a whole.  More...

 

Borat, Israeli?

Most of you are probably well-acquainted by now with Borat Sagidayev’s new movie, and even if you haven’t seen it, you’ve probably heard something of his less-than-politically-correct perception of the Jews.

See what happens when he gets interviewed by an Israeli reporter…in Hebrew (with subtitles).

Below is a story about the Israeli response to Borat from www.7online.com:

Israelis Dig ‘Borat,’ Jokes In Hebrew…

December 14, 2006 - Like moviegoing masses around the world, Israelis have crowded theaters to watch the hit spoof “Borat.” But they are laughing for another reason: They actually understand what the anti-Semitic, misogynist Kazakh journalist is saying.

Few realize that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s wacky comedic creation, Borat Sagdiyev, is not speaking Kazakh or even gibberish, but rather Hebrew, the biblical language of the Jewish people.

The 35-year-old British comedian is no stranger to Israel. He is an observant Jew, his mother was born in Israel and his grandmother still lives in Haifa. In high school, he belonged to a Zionist Jewish youth group, Habonim Dror, and upon graduation spent a year working and studying on a kibbutz, or collective farm, in northern Israel. He has since returned for several visits, his Hebrew is excellent and his understanding of Israeli culture superb.

The irony of a Hebrew-speaking anti-Semite is not lost on the admiring Israeli audience, which has made the movie a huge hit here.

Continue reading Borat, Israeli?…

 

now for the rest

 

Prime source: Daily Alert of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs

See also http://www.theisraelproject.org/site/c.hsJPK0PIJpH/b.672581/k.CB99/Home.htm

 

The Iraq Study Group: Implications for Israel- Dore Gold

" The Iraq Study Group suggests that “the Israelis should return the Golan Heights.” There is no negotiation over the withdrawal as in UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. It appears that the Golan Heights are being used as an inducement to obtain cooperative Syrian behavior on Iraq. On the Palestinian track, the Baker-Hamilton report does not call for talks over “refugees,” but rather over “the right of return,” adopting Palestinian legal nomenclature and undermining Israel's legal position.

 

Ahmadinejad Opponents Win Elections - Ali Akbar Dareini
Opponents of Iranian President Ahmadinejad won nationwide elections for local councils, final results confirmed Thursday. Moderate conservatives critical of Ahmadinejad won a majority of seats, followed by reformists. Some conservatives feel Ahmadinejad has spent too much time confronting the West and failed to deal with Iran's struggling economy. In Tehran, candidates supporting Mayor Qalibaf, a moderate conservative, won seven of the 15 council seats. Reformists won four, while Ahmadinejad's allies won three. Similar anti-Ahmadinejad sentiment was visible in the final results of a parallel election held to select members of the 86-member Assembly of Experts. (AP/Washington Post)
    See also Iran President Facing Revival of Students' Ire - Nazila Fathi
The Iranian student movement is reawakening and may even be spearheading a widespread resistance against President Ahmadinejad. The students' complaints largely mirrored public frustrations over the president's crackdown on civil liberties, his blundering economic policies, and his harsh oratory against the West, which they fear will isolate the country. (New York Times)

 

Europeans Yield on Iran Sanctions - Colum Lynch
Britain, France, and Germany have scrapped plans to impose a UN travel ban on Iranian officials who are linked to Tehran's most controversial nuclear activities, a move intended to win Russian support for a UN resolution restricting Iran's nuclear trade, according to U.S. and European officials. (Washington Post)

 

U.S Judge Dismisses Suit Against Israeli General
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dealt a blow last week to ongoing attempts to sue Israeli officials in America over alleged war crimes. In a December 14 decision, Judge Paul Friedman ordered the dismissal of the civil lawsuit against former Israeli army chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon. Friedman argued that the retired Israeli general is immune from any legal measures in the U.S. since his actions were carried out as part of his official capacity in the Israeli military. (Forward)

News Resources - Israel and the Mideast:

 

Palestinian Rocket Fire Intensifies - Shmulik Hadad
Palestinians in Gaza fired eight Kassam rockets toward Israel Wednesday and Thursday morning, despite a truce that went into effect last month. Some 40 rockets have been fired at Israel since the cease-fire. Prime Minister Olmert said Wednesday that "Israel's restraint to ongoing violations of the cease-fire in the form of rocket attacks at southern Israeli cities will soon end." (Ynet News)
    See also Palestinian Rocket Hits Gaza House, Wounds Three Palestinians - Hanan Greenberg
Three Palestinians were injured Thursday morning after a Palestinian rocket hit their home in northern Gaza. Eyewitnesses said the rocket accidentally hit the home of the al-Masri family in Beit Hanoun, injuring the pregnant mother, who suffered a miscarriage, and her two children. (Ynet News)

 

IDF: Hizballah Almost at Full Strength - Yaakov Katz
It is "just a matter of time" before Hizballah attacks Israel, a high-ranking officer from the Northern Command said Wednesday, adding that Hizballah had nearly returned to full strength. The officer said Syria had used the past four months since the end of the war to transfer truckloads of advanced rockets and weaponry to Hizballah in Lebanon, sometimes on a daily basis. (Jerusalem Post)
    See also Cracks Begin to Appear in Support for Hizballah - Tom Lasseter
Hizballah remains in firm control of southern Lebanon and enjoys overwhelming popularity there, but fissures are beginning to creep across that support as winter comes, with crops destroyed, jobs scarce, and the wreckage of war still unrepaired. "People are saying OK, it was a tremendous military performance [by Hizballah], but at the end of the day, it was the Shiites who suffered," said Timor Goksel, a former senior adviser to UNIFIL. (McClatchy)

Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis (Best of U.S.UK, and Israel):

 

Words That Can Kill - Jeff Jacoby
Today Simon Bikindi is being tried by the international tribunal created to bring Rwanda's accused war criminals to justice. The central charge against him is that he incited genocide with his songs. Words can be deadly, opening the door to murder on a vast scale. That is why the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide unambiguously makes it as much of a crime to incite acts of genocide as to physically commit them. If Simon Bikindi has been charged with incitement to commit genocide, why hasn't Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? For many months preceding the Rwandan genocide, there was similar incitement to mass-murder. Yet international authorities did nothing to silence the inciters - with catastrophic results.
    The situation in Iran today is frighteningly similar, with one critical difference: "While the Hutus in Rwanda were equipped with...machetes, Iran, should the international community do nothing to prevent it, will soon acquire nuclear weapons," argues the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs in a brief setting out in detail the legal case for prosecuting the Iranian president. At that point Tehran would be poised to commit the first "instant genocide" in history. Iran's intentions are nakedly, malignantly clear. What is not clear at all is what the civilized world will do about it. An indictment of Ahmadinejad under the Genocide Convention would not, by itself, eliminate the threat of a second Holocaust. It would, however, make a good first step. (Boston Globe)
    See also Referral of Iranian President Ahmadinejad on the Charge of Incitement to Commit Genocide (JCPA) - (1M pdf file)

 

Forget the Domino Theories - Robert Satloff
In boldly suggesting that "all key issues in the Middle East are inextricably linked," the authors of the Iraq Study Group report seem stunningly indifferent to the past 25 years of Middle East politics. After a generation of theorizing about Middle East dominoes, the evidence is piling up: The linkages simply don't exist. There is no evidence to support the proposition that Israeli-Palestinian violence has substantial regional repercussions. The road to Baghdad does not pass through TehranDamascusJerusalem, or GazaThe writer is executive director of the Washington Institute. (Washington Post/Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

 

The Road to Tehran - Bret Stephens
Jose SaramagoPortugal's Nobel Laureate in Literature, observed after a visit to Ramallah that the Israeli incursion into the city "is a crime that may be compared to Auschwitz." Never mind that at the time Mr. Saramago visited Ramallah a total of about 1,500 Palestinians had been killed in the Intifada, whereas Jews were murdered at Auschwitz at a rate of about 2,000 a day.
    There are more than six million Israelis who presumably wish to live in a sovereign country called Israel. Are their wishes irrelevant? Are their national rights conditional on their behavior - or rather, perceptions of their behavior - and if so, should such conditionality apply to all countries? (Wall Street Journal)

Observations:

 

Assad Can't Deliver - Ron Ben-Yishai (Ynet News)

  • Syrian President Assad knows well that if he meets even some of the demands presented to him by Israel, the U.S., and Europe, his regime would face genuine danger as would the Alawite-Shiite sect he leads. Therefore, he is unable to deliver the goods even if he receives everything he wants.
  • He is unable to disengage from Iran because it's getting stronger and is assisting him in expanding his ballistic missile arsenal. Iran also controls Hizballah, which is able to thwart overnight all of Assad's hopes regarding LebanonTehran knows it has the power to veto any Syrian move it doesn't like.
  • Assad is also unable to deliver the goods in the American context regarding Iraq. If he curbs the flow of money, fighters, and weapons to the Sunni rebels in Iraq, he knows they will launch a war against him and his regime with the help of Syria's Sunnis.
  • The Sunni majority in Syria, and particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, are desperate for outside assistance in order to act against the Alawite-Shiite regime in Damascus. The Iraqi Sunnis refrain from acting against Syria because Assad provides them assistance. Should Assad stop the assistance, the Iraqi Sunnis would join forces with the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria and threaten Assad's regime.
  • They will also resort to terrorism in order to torpedo any attempt for Syrian-Israeli cooperation or normalization should a Syrian-Israeli peace agreement be signed.
  • The bottom line is that Assad, under the conditions currently prevalent in the Middle East, cannot give Israel and the West anything substantive in exchange for a peace agreement involving the Golan, even if he wants to do so.
  • The reasons for Assad's peace offensive are mostly tactical: He believes that engaging in negotiations with Israel, even if indirectly, would remove international pressure regarding the Hariri trial.

 

 

 

Announcements

 

                                                                                                       Save the Date: Saturday, February 3rd, 2007
Temple Rock Café

Break out your blue jeans, and your dancing shoes

and join us for a full evening of food, cocktails, dancing and good friends. 

All this while you peruse the unbelievable items up for bid at the Silent Auction.

 Kick off Super Bowl weekend when TBE transforms into the Temple Rock Cafe

with some rockin' music, and awesome activities. 

Mark your calendars for this Temple Beth El fundraising "extravaganza".

 What:  Temple Rock Cafe

 When:  Saturday, February 3rd from 7:30 p.m. -midnight

Where: Temple Beth El Social Hall @ 350 Roxbury RoadStamfordCT

Cost:    Only $90 per person either by check, MasterCard or Visa.

Food:  Dinner (buffet), dessert and full bar.

Entertainment:     Dance to the tunes of "The In Laws" band

playing Rock and Roll and Pop music spanning the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.

 RSVP: To www.tbe.org with our NEW online RSVP form

or send us the card you receive in the mail with your payment by January 19th.

 Bring your checkbook or credit card and enthusiasm--there will be plenty of opportunities for you to support the Temple at our primary fundraising event of the year!

 Questions?  Contact templerockcafe@tbe.org or call 203.322.6901, ext. 304

 

 

 

Save the Date for our next spectacular

Synaplex Shabbats

 

Jan 19-20

Featuring

 

 

SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE DR. BENJAMIN GAMPEL

 [Dr. Benjamin Gampel ] Benjamin Gampel is the Dina and Eli Field Family Chair in Jewish History at The Jewish Theological Seminary. He teaches courses in medieval and early modern Jewish history, with a special focus on the medieval Sephardim, and lectures widely on the entire range of Jewish history.

Dr. Gampel spent close to a year doing research in local archives in Spain for his first book, The Last Jews on Iberian Soil. After a great deal of painstaking work compiling materials for the project, Dr. Gampel was able to recreate some of the long-forgotten history of the Jews of the Iberian peninsula. He also edited the volume Crisis and Creativity in the Sephardic World, which was published by Columbia University Press in 1998. At present, he is writing a book on the pogroms and forced conversions of 1391 in the Iberian peninsula, and the effects of those events on the course of Jewish history.

An energetic scholar and teacher, Dr. Gampel is dedicated to bringing the history of the Jews to a broad public audience. He has addressed synagogues and lay groups, organizations of all stripes, and scholarly conclaves.

Dr. Gampel received his doctorate from Columbia University.

Scholar’s Lecture Topics:

Friday Night:

“Judaism and the Rise of Islam”

 

Shabbat Morning:

 “Sex, Food and Lush Garden: Religious Piety Confronts Sensual Pleasure”

 

Saturday Afternoon:

“Gazing into the Countenance of the Divine.

Confronting the Riddle of Jewish Apostasy”

 

Plus

SHABBAT UNPLUGGED ON FRIDAY NIGHT

WITH CANTOR LITTMAN

 

o       Shabbat Unplugged with Cantor Littman, Friday at 7:30. – note the time.  Sponsored by an anonymous donor.  Followed by Scholar-in-residence presentation, sit down oneg and Rebbe’s Tish.  Plus Tot Shabbat

o       Meditative service with Dan Klipper, Traditional Service led by David Hirshfield, Learner’s Service for adults with Rabbi Hammerman. Special Junior Congregation presentation with Jonathan Cahr, Teen Service, including “No Hate but Harmony.”  

o       Study the Weekly Portion with Rabbi Eric Hoffman

o       Discuss how families transmit values, traditions…and baggage…”from generation to generation,” with Mara Hammerman and Elissa Stein

o       Lots of surprises for kids and teens

o       Havdalah Under the Stars (and the first sliver of the New Moon), LIVE, from the Stamford Nature Center Observatory, presented by our Youth Commission, at 6:30

o       Food a plenty (of course!)

o       And more…

 

 

And Coming February 9-10…

Synaplex features…

 

 

Sisterhood Shabbat

February 10, 2007

 

Including Miriam’s Minyan at 9:30am

Sisterhood Shabbat (beginning with Torah service) will begin at 10:30am

 

Please join us for a Synaplex weekend and annual Sisterhood Shabbat.

Members of Sisterhood will lead the service, with the d’var torah delivered by scholar-in-residence Dr. Burton L. Visotsky.  A luncheon will follow.

 

If you are interested in participating in this wonderful event, please contact us with your name, phone number and email address.  Our contact information is below for your convenience. 

There are English readings, Hebrew/torah readings and non-speaking parts available.

We look forward to hearing from you and together sharing another beautiful Shabbat experience at Temple Beth El.

 

                               Denise Greenman                                        Linda Hempel Braun

                               329-8594                                                         975-7352

                               denise147@aol.com                                    lkbraun@aol.com

 

 

Plus Scholar in Residence

Rabbi Burton Visotzky [Dr. Burton L. Visotzky]

BURTON L. VISOTZKY serves as the Nathan and Janet Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he joined the faculty upon his ordination as Rabbi in 1977. He has served as the Associate and Acting Dean of the Graduate School (1991–96), as the founding Rabbi of the egalitarian worship service of the Seminary Synagogue, and as the director of the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies at JTS.

Prof. Visotzky has been a visiting scholar at Oxford University, a visiting fellow and life member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, as well as a visiting faculty member at Princeton Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, and the Russian State University of the Humanities in Moscow (where returned to teach in May, 2006). Dr. Visotzky is also Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary, New York. In Spring, '04 he was Visiting Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies at Princeton University. Rabbi Visotzky has been chosen to serve as the Master Visiting Professor of Jewish Studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, during Spring, 2007.  Dr. Visotzky received his B.A. with honors and highest distinction from the University of Illinois (Chicago), a Masters in Education from Harvard University, and his M.A., Rabbinic ordination, and Ph.D., and D.H.L. (hon.) from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Prof. Visotzky's articles and reviews have been published in America, Europe, and Israel. He is the author of eight books. Visotzky's popular volumes include: Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text (1991), The Genesis of Ethics: How the Tormented Family of Genesis leads us to Moral Development (1996), The Road to Redemption: Lessons from Exodus on Leadership and Community (1998), and From Mesopotamia to Modernity: Ten Introductions to Jewish History and Literature (1999). In addition to these popular works and his scholarly monographs, Visotzky is currently completing A Delightful Compendium of Consolation: A Novel, set in eleventh-century North Africa.

With Bill Moyers, he developed ten hours of television for PBS on the book of Genesis, serving as consultant and a featured on-screen participant. The series, "Genesis: A Living Conversation," premiered in October, 1996. Visotzky was also a consultant to Jeffrey Katzenberg of DreamWorks for their 1998 film, "Prince of Egypt".

Visotzky sits on the Board of Advisors of the Stein Center for Law and Ethics at Fordham Law School, the Steering Committee of the New Israel Fund Rabbinic Council, and served on the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of CancerCare. He is active in Jewish/Christian/Muslim dialogue internationally, most recently in Cairo and DohaQatar.

Rabbi Visotzky is active as a lecturer and scholar-in-residence throughout North America, Europe, and Israel. His study groups and books have been hailed on radio, television, and in print. He is married to an attorney, Sandra Edelman. They make their home in New York City and KentConnecticut.

 

Scholar’s Lecture Topics (for portion of Yitro):

 

Friday night:

“What is God’s Place in the Synagogue?”

 

Saturday Morning (in honor of sisterhood Shabbat):

“Three Mothers: Mother of all life, Mother of all Jews, Mother of all Prophets:

Portraits of Eve, Sarah and Miriam.”

 

Saturday afternoon:

“Who Spoke the Ten Commandments?  

Word of God or Hand of Moses?”

 

Plus …

First-ever Havdalah Unplugged with Cantor Littman

 

 

o       Friday night service at 7:30, followed by scholar in residence lecture and Rebbe’s tish

o       Shabbat morning features the return of Yoga, meditative and learner’s Shacharits and “Miriam’s Minyan” for women

o       Children’s and teens services and programming

o       Sisterhood book discussion

o       Afternoon discussion of Conservative Law Committee decisions

o       Israeli Movie Night: “Walk on Water”

 

AND MUCH MORE --- STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!

 

 

Many thanks to Penny and Michael Horowitz for their sponsorship of our Scholar in Residence presentations,

in memory of Bessie Silver and Millie Reiss

to an anonymous donor family for sponsoring January’s Shabbat Unplugged,

and to Allen and Beverly Kezsbom for their sponsorship of Havdalah Unplugged

 

-------------------------

Temple Rock Café Silent Auction

Dear Fellow Congregant:

 

We are very excited about Temple Beth El’s 2007 primary fund raising event “Temple Rock Café” that will take place at TBE on Saturday evening

February 3, 2007!

 

This event will prove to be a fantastic evening for all adult members (FOR ALL AGES) of Temple Beth El and their guests. Rockin music will be provided by “The In Laws” band playing music spanning the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s in addition to great food, drink and dancing.

 

The evening will be highlighted with a Silent Auction in which we need your help in donating items and services. Silent auction items and services can be just about anything of any value such as:

 

Sports tickets   Day of Golf      Yoga Lessons

Vacation Package Salon/Nail Service    Baby Sitting

Music Lessons    Theater Tickets Art Work

Jewelry    DVD/Music Items      Time Shares

Autographs/      Frequent Flier

Memorabilia      Miles

 

The Silent Auction is the main fund raising component of the evening as the ticket price only covers the cost of the event. All profits will go directly to the Temple’s operating budget which is in dire need of all of our help to provide the


 

level of services that we have all become accustomed to.

We encourage all congregants to please do their best in participating even if you do not plan on attending the event.

Contact us for a donation form for items and services that you are willing to contribute.

Thank you in advance for your participation and we look forward to hearing from you.

Break out your blue jeans and dancing shoes and get ready to rock with your friends at The Temple Rock Cafe!

Peter Kempner Elissa Hyman

Co-Chair Co-Chair

WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A FORM TO MAKE YOUR DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE


 

 

Yes it's the time of year when we think of long lines at the stores,

stressed out credit lines, latkes and now its time to think about

 

2nd Night of Passover - The Seder

 

Believe it or not, this outstanding event will return top our temple.  We will have plenty of activities for children of all ages, and share our experiences as one giant family.  We will enjoy a terrific meal, and someone else cleaning up after us.  We will learn new facts about Passover, and introduce our new game, Pin the Matzah Ball on the Pharaoh!  This years Chair, Steven Mayer is asking for help with the various committees so that we ensure a successful event.  Please contact Rabbi Hammerman, or Steve mayer at 203-316-9195; e-mail steve_mayer@mayerbenefits.com).

 

Trust me, when you have to give yourself more room and loosen your belt, and not have to clean up, you will appreciate how much fun this event really is.

 

ADULT ED CLASSES

 

The Many Demensions of Jewish Prayer”

with Rabbi Hammerman

meets select Sunday mornings 9:00-10:00 am

 

Bimah 101:

Prepatory course for Adult Bar/ Bat Mitzvah

With Cantor Rachael Littman

Meets weekly Sunday mornings 10:00-11:00 am

 

                                                     Judaism for Everyone

An Introductory Class for Dummies, Smarties

and Those Who Don’t Know How to Ask

With Rabbi Hammerman

Meets weekly on select Sundays 11:00 am-12:00 pm

(A prerequisite for those who wish to join

the Beth El Adult Bar/ Bat Mitzvah Class.)

Fee: $50 for materials

                                                            

Beginners’ Hebrew class

Instructor: Eran Vaisben, Education Director

Take advantage of this beginner/ class to:

Become familiar with the Hebrew alphabet

Improve your Hebrew reading fluency

Delve into a bit of modern Hebrew

Come explore the Hebrew language in a relaxed group setting!

Meets weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7:30– 8:30 p.m.

 

 

Learning and Latte at Borders

Stamford’s long-running monthly interfaith “tri-alogue”

featuring Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Rev. Douglas McArthur and Dr. Behjat Syed

This year’s topic:

“Moral Dilemmas for a World in Crisis”

Join us as we engage in friendly dialogue about some of the hot-button issues of the day.  

Meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30-8:30 PM, October-May

 

Topics (subject to last-minute adjustment to keep up with the headlines)

 

Jan. 9 –  When does life begin and what happens to the soul after life ends?

Feb. 13 -  Can other religions be “true?”  How can pluralism work for the believer?

March 13 – Is sexuality good, evil or neither?  What are the worst “sins” for our traditions?

April 10 – What are different ways of imagining God in our traditions? How does God show love?

May 8 – What is the future of religion in America?  The world?  Is religion a source of evil?

 

 

Support our Temple Gift Shop! 

 

COLLEGE STUDENTS!  Rabbi Hammerman would like to keep in touch with you throughout the school year.  Please send your e-mail address to office@tbe.org to be included in his college list.

 

 

“HOME GAME”

Save the date –Jan 21 at 9:00 AM

 

Movie and discussion from 9-11 AM, open to all. 

Followed by a reunion for TBE Israel Adventure groups from 2004 and 2005. 

Our guest will be Peter Abelow of Keshet Tours,

who has been our guide on the most recent two TBE Israel trips.

 

The movie:

“HOME GAME”

 

Elidad Schneid usually got nervous before major games of the Gush Katif inter-settlement basketball league. As a member of the Netzer Hazani team, the winner of most of the league's championship trophies, he should have been particularly nervous hours before the tournament final against Neve Dekalim. But he wasn't. He was too busy planning for another battle scheduled for the same day: the battle over his home.

 

Schneid is one of the few basketball players interviewed in Home Gamea new documentary following the struggle of the Netzer Hazani community to hold on to its Gaza Strip homes in the days before the fateful August 2005 implementation of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan.  The documentary was produced by Peter’s son Avi Abelow, who developed the idea for the film after taking a leave from his Tel Aviv consulting job to support the Gush Katif settlers. After infiltrating Netzer Hazani two weeks before the disengagement began, he used his digital camera to document what he hoped would not be the Gaza settlements' final days. Despite having no previous experience in the film industry, he assembled his footage to create a short film to help raise money for Gush Katif residents after their evacuation, offering donors a longer version as a bonus. This longer film eventually evolved into a full-fledged documentary.

 

Home Game's insider footage includes teenagers painting the settlement in orange, the color associated with the anti-disengagement movement; a near violent encounter between young settlers and border police; the settlers' return of their weaponry to the IDF; emotional meetings in which settlers discuss painful decisions about how to prepare for their evacuation; the heart-wrenching day of the evacuation itself; and, of course, the final home game.

 

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class of 2007 

YOUR YEAR HAS ARRIVED!

Upcoming Family programs

Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM

Jan. 21 – Bima 101, Mock Wedding and Mitzvah projects

Feb. 4 – The World Wide Wrap (open to all congregants)

 

 

College Students!

Registration is now open for the

2007 KOACH KALLAH!!!


The Original FACE BOOK:

A Jewish Guide to (non-virtual) Community

February 22 - 25, 2007

University of Pennsylvania

PhiladelphiaPA

  • Enjoy a spirited Shabbat
  • Lots of students from North America
  • Meet representatives from Israel Programs
  • Celebrate!!
  • Community Service Projects
  • Israel Updates
  • Vision the future of the Conservative Movement
  • Learn from peers and other scholars
  • Sing, Dance and Laugh!
  • Have an awesome time!

Scholar-in-Residence

Rabbi Pamela Barmash

Washington University

St. LouisMO

 

Artists-in-Residence

Aaron Freeman and Sharon Rosensweig

ChicagoIL

 

Scholarships available from KOACH, some Hillels and local congregations.

 

For details, go to www.koach.org or e-mail koach@uscj.org

 

 

Youth Programming

 

 

 

 

For our USY teens….

 

 

 

 

JOKE FOR THE WEEK

The Fast Bris

http://one.revver.com/watch/104236

From Sue Plutzer – a very amusing music video called “The Fast Bris.”

Quick and painless…

 

Adam Sandler's 'The Hanukkah Song Part III'


Put on your yarmulke
It's time for Chanukah (sounds good, guys)
Once again it's Chanukah
The miracle of Chanukah

Give it up for The Drei-Dels everybody!

 

Chanukah is the Festival of Lights
One day of presents? Hell no! We get eight crazy nights!

 

But if you still feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas
tree
I guess my first two songs didn't do it for ya, so here comes number
three!

 

Ross and Phoebe from Friends say the Chanukah blessing
So does Lenny's pal Squiggy and Will & Grace's Debra Messing

 

Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon never mixed meat with dairy
Maybe they should've called that show Little Kosher House on the
Prairie

 

We got Jerry Lewis, Ben Stiller and Jack Black
Tom Arnold converted to Judaism, but you guys can have him back!
(Just kidding Tommy!)

 

We may not get to kiss underneath the mistletoe
But we can do it all night long with Deuce Bigalow! (I'm Jewish!)

Oh my God! Sweet Robbie Schneider is here!

 

Put on your yarmulke, here comes Chanukah
The guy in Willie Nelson's band who plays harmonica celebrates
Chanukah
(Aw, good job Schneider!)

 

Osama bin Laden (booo!) not a big fan of the Jews
Well maybe that's because he lost a figure-skating match
To gold medalist Sarah Hughes (her mama's Jewish!)

 

Houdini and David Blaine escaped straitjackets with such precision
But the one thing they could not get out of, their painful
circumcision

 

As for half Jewish actors, Sean Penn is quite the great one
And Marlon Brando, not a Jew at all! But it looks to me like he ate
one!

 

Gwyneth Paltrow's half Jewish, but a full-time Oscar winner
Jennifer Connelly's half Jewish too and I'd like to put some more in
her!

 

There's Lou Reed, Perry Ferrell, Beck and Paula Abdul
Joey Ramone invented punk rock music, but first came Hebrew school

 

Hey Natalie Portman-ukah, it's time to celebrate Chanukah
I hope I get an Abtronica on this joyful toyful Chanukah

So get a high colonic-ah and soil your longjohn-ukahs
If you really really wanna-kah
Have a happy happy happy happy happy happy happy, happy Chanukah!

 

Buckle up for safety everybody!
Good night!

 

 

 

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