Congregation B'nai Shalom
Traditionally Speaking
November, 2004
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Congregation B'nai Shalom Traditionally Speaking |
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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - From RABBI JONATHAN GLASS
A Time of Beginnings
What is special about this time of year? The big holidays are over, Chanukah is still a way away, and the nights are starting to get longer.
When we look at our Torah readings for this time of year though, they all have one thing in common--they are all about beginnings; the creation of the world, the new beginning of Noah after the flood, Avraham's beginning a family and community of believers...These are some of our most exciting readings--watching the early beginnings of our people-the way that the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the "Founding Fathers and Mothers" shaped the first Jewish community. Certainly there are struggles and "growing pains" in these stories--it is not all rosy, but what is the most striking is the extent to which each one of these personalities counted. Can you imagine Judaism without Yaakov, without Sarah, without Avraham? It's inconceivable. These are the people who shaped our early community through their vision, their faith, and their struggles.
And we, their children, are called upon to do the same. We are all shapers of our families and our community. We are always involved in new beginnings and we must never forget the extent to which each one of us can really make a difference.
I am so looking forward to being with you in December and I wish all of you a healthy fall season and many blessings!
FROM
THE PRESIDENT
- ROB CHEIFETZ
WE HIRED A
RABBI!
As many of you heard at Kol Nidre services, we hired Rabbi Jonathan Glass to be our Rabbi for the upcoming year. Rabbi Glass was born in Australia and received his smicha in Israel. Before joining us, Rabbi Glass was the Rabbi at congregations in New Orleans and Atlanta (so our winter should be a real treat for him). At those congregations, Rabbi Glass was known for his scholarship, his morality, his spirituality, his skills as an educator, and for musical abilities (his CD, Knower of Secrets is available at Amazon.com). As many of you experienced first-hand, he is a talented cantor, torah reader, and shofar blower. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to retain his services and make him a member of our community.
As many of you also heard at Kol Nidre services, our current membership cannot support a full-time Rabbi. Not yet, anyway. So, we have entered into an arrangement that we believe gives us the best chance to be in the position to have a long term relationship down the road. We have retained Rabbi Glass - thanks to the generosity of a small group of donors - on a full-time/part-time basis. During this time, Rabbi Glass will “commute” between here and Israel, where his family will remain until his five children (ages 5 -13) finish up their school year. Beginning on December 1, 2004, just in time for Chanukah, Rabbi Glass will work here for five weeks, return to Israel for two weeks, work here for five weeks, return to Israel for two weeks, etc., through August, 2005. Among many other days, Rabbi Glass will be here for Purim, the last four days of Pesach (so that he is here for yizkor), Shavuot, and Tisha B’Av. For those of you anxious to mark your calendars now, here are the dates our Rabbi will be here (with the understanding that we’ll need to be a little flexible as circumstances dictate): December 1 - January 5; January 19 - February 23; March 9 - April 13; April 27 - May 26; June 9 - July 14; and July 28 - August 15. Those of you wishing to send a personal note of congratulations and welcome to Rabbi Glass may send him an email at: ravjglass@yahoo.com.
Obviously, this is an unusual situation, but it is a much better situation than having no Rabbi at all, or having a Rabbi without the skills and knowledge to make a difference in our lives. We must now do everything in our power to grow our membership and increase our donations so that we can afford to hire Rabbi Glass for an entire year, full-time, and for many years to come. Given his talents and the can-do attitude of our wonderful congregation, I am hopeful that, with G-d’s help, we can make this work.
While we await the arrival of our Rabbi (and it feels great to type the words “our Rabbi”), let me close with the following words:
WE HIRED A RABBI!
Junior congregation was a success over the High Holidays due to the many people that helped. Craig and Audrey M. used their vast experience to make sure all bases were covered; from buying the food to printing out the signs, and all things in between. They were truly the driving force behind the smooth children's services. People that helped conduct Yom Kippur services gave up their time with their families in the main sanctuary and missed out on the beautiful services. I would like to thank Rob C., Jay E., Marc R., David G., and Jeff G. From all congregant parents-THANK YOU!!!!
The first Young Judaea event was October 17th where the kids visited Diddier Farms. It was great to see our children have so much fun with each other. As the kickoff event of the year, there promises to be many more opportunities for education, fun, socializing, and much more. Please look for information on upcoming events and if you have any questions please call me.
Upcoming events:
Sunday, November 7th: The first D.E.L. program of the year. Wendy F. did a great job planning a book fair and D.E.L. program. The food, of course, will be provided by our wonderful Sisterhood. Thank you to all helping make this a terrific event. The book fair runs through November 9th, 9-1 each day.
Tuesday, November 9th: JVS seminar on starting your own business.
Sunday, December 5th: Our Chanukah party. There are many fun events planned-dancing, music, games, wonderful food, and more. Sisterhood Latke sale pick-up.
Sunday, December 19th: The second Shul outing to a play, The Immigrant. You don’t have to be a member to join in the fun.
The Sisterhood is now planning several events for the upcoming year. Currently the Entertainment Books are for sale at $20 each. Please call Evelyn B. for information.
Again this year we will be selling potato latkes for Chanukah. The price is still $7.50 and they can be picked up at the shul Chanukah Party on December 5. A flyer will be out shortly.
In January we will be having our lox box, so get ready to sell them to all your friends and neighbors. If you have any suggestions for programs, please contact me.
Would you like to learn how to daven Shacharit, Mincha & Ma'ariv? Would you like to learn about the prayers; why we stand or sit or why some are private?
A class is being formed to answer these questions. The date is yet to be determined. Please call Myron S. for details.