Kol Kiruv December 2018
Kislev - Tevet
Happenings
1
A Note From Cantor Goldberg
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A Message From Reb Jamie
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A Message From Rabbi Mintz, Rabbi Emerita 5 The President’s Message, Sam Lieberman
6-7
Israel Trip
8
What’s Been Going On?
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Jewlicious Learning
10
Free Money
11
Yahrzeit, Nid’vei Lev and Celebrations Calendar at a Glance
Vol. 28—No. 4
Congregation P’nai Tikvah will worship on December 7th and 21st. Tot Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services will begin at 6:30 PM on December 7th. On December 21st, Shabbat-Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Services will begin at 7:30PM. Torah Study will be at 9:30am on December 8th at Indigo and the December 22nd location will be announced.
If you are interested in sponsoring an Oneg to celebrate an event or memorialize a loved 12-14 one, please call 702.436.4900 for sponsorship and catering opportunities. 15
A Note From Cantor Marla Goldberg This time of year, those who spend time in any store will be bombarded by the music of the season. Christmas music is prevalent everywhere, and growing up I sang many carols in music classes and choirs. Of course, we always had one song for the “other holiday” of the season. It was usually one of two songs, I Have a Little Dreidel or Feast of Lights (anyone in a choir during the 1970’s80’s probably sang this song). It seemed to me that those were the only two songs my choir teachers knew. Now, truthfully, there is not an abundance of Chanukah songs out there, as compared to Christmas songs, but they are there. There are wonderful traditional Chanukah songs, and some great modern songs. Over the last few years as the Cantor of Congregation P’nai Tikvah, I have written about I Have a Little Dreidel and Maoz Tzur. There are other fun, and beautiful songs for Chanukah out there. There is S’vivon, (the Hebrew word for dreidel). It is a fun song to sing, clap and dance to. There are two sets of lyrics to sing, depending on if you are in Israel or the Diaspora. סֵ בִיבֹון סב סב סב חנּכה הוא חג טוב חנּכה הוא חג טוב סֵ בִיבֹון סב סב סב
Sevivon, sov, sov, sov ḥanukah, hu ḥag tov ḥanukah, hu ḥag tov Sevivon, sov, sov, sov!
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin. Hanukkah is a great holiday. Hanukkah is a great holiday. Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.
(In Israel) סב נא סב כה וכה נס גדול היה פה נס גדול היה פה סב נא סב כה וכה
(In Israel) Sov na sov ko va'cho Nes gadol hayah poh Nes gadol hayah poh Sov na sov ko va'kho!
(In Israel) Spin, please, spin like this and that. A great miracle happened here. A great miracle happened here. Spin, please, spin like this and that.
(Abroad) ḥag simḥa hu la-am Nes gadol hayah sham Nes gadol hayah sham ḥag simḥa hu la-am.
(Abroad) A joyous holiday for the nation. A great miracle happened there. A great miracle happened there. A joyous holiday for the nation.
(Abroad) מחָה הּוא לַעָם ְ ש ִ חַג נ ֵס גָדֹול הָי ָה שָם נ ֵס גָדֹול הָי ָה שָם מחָה הּוא לַעָם ְ ש ִ חַג
And if you didn’t know, the dreidels in Israel have the letter Pey instead of the Shin. I guess instead of using “Shin-put one in” (which is how I learned it) you could say, “Pey-pay up”. Another traditional song I love it the Mi Yimalel. The tune for it also feels danceable, and honors our heroes the Maccabees, and says there will always be someone like them in every generation. I also always loved the ‘chorus’ of this song, as it can be done in a round. It is also has an interesting style as the verse takes on a minor mode, and becomes less of a dance. מי ימלל גבורות ישראלMi yimalel gvurot Yisrael, אותן מי ימנהOtan mi yimne? הן בכל דור יקום הגיבור גואל העםHen be'chol dor yakum ha'gibor Goel ha'am! שמע בימים ההם בזמן הזהShma! מכבי מושיע ופודהBa'yamim ha'hem ba'zman ha'ze ובימינו כל עם ישראלMaccabi moshia u'fode יקום ויגאל, יתאחדU'v'yameinu kol am Yisrael Yitached yakum ve'yigael!
Who can tell of the heroic deeds of Israel? Who can count them? Yes in every generation a hero arises To save the people. Listen! In those days at this time The Maccabee saved and redeemed But in our days the whole people Israel Will unite. (Continued on Page 3) 2
Message from Reb Jamie The New York Times recently published a list of five new books that touch on issues of American Jewish identity. The focus of the books is the question “what will sustain Judaism in the future?” According to the writer, the outlook does not bode well for the future of a Judaism that most of us grew up with. Diminishing affiliation and increased socialization into the majority culture suggests that remaining distinct in our practice and particular in our outlook seems less and less likely.
The title of the article caught my attention, “American Jews Face a Choice: Create Meaning or Fade Away.” It is interesting for me to note that the Judaism in which I grew up provided me with friends from camp and youth group, and a strong identity (never forget), but there was no intellectual content. We didn’t study text, we were rituals we didn’t understand, and worse yet, weren’t practiced in our homes. In short, the Judaism of my childhood could not stand on its own two feet as I grew into adulthood. What drew me into Judaism as a teenager was protection from a strong sense of “otherness.” I felt ugly as a child and unrooted, and in my synagogue, I felt grounded. If I had been accepted and popular at school, perhaps I too would have drifted away. “Never forget” as a reason to remain a practicing Jew was not enough to sustain me. It is only as I grew into adulthood that my passion to uncover meaning in my Jewish life emerged. I am a strong advocate of creating meaning, taking our tradition and using it as a framework and a resource to help us meet the challenges of modernity. If we, you and I at P’nai Tikvah, don’t find meaning in what we do here today, how can we expect our children and grandchildren to be interested in what our tradition offers for their future? Yes, I am interested in building for the future, but in the immediacy of this moment, I will use my energy and knowledge to create a vibrant community of meaning here and now. And so, while the future of the Judaism we knew growing up may be less certain, the Judaism that we are living today, and that we create together is bright.
Reb Jamie (Continued from Page 2) For a modern song, my favorite has to be Light One Candle by Peter Yarrow. It is a wonderful song that encourages us to remember our history and the people who sacrificed for our freedoms of today. I feel that it works not just as a Chanukah Song, but as a song for anytime we speak of those people who did work for a better tomorrow. It is a song about finding strength, helping others, and continuing hope that our light never dies.
Don’t let the light go out. L’Shalom and Happy Chanukah,
Cantor Marla Goldberg 3
Message from Rabbi Emerita Yocheved Mintz Dear Chevreh:
A few days after the horrific show of Anti-Semitic hate at the massacre at The Tree of Life Synagogue, I was privileged to witness outpourings of interfaith support and love at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, November 1st to 7th, in Toronto. Over 7,500 people, representing 223 different faiths gathered from all over the world at this unique conference whose subtitle is “The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change.” The Toronto Convention Center was awash with the dazzling array of colors, from the plumage of the indigenous tribes of the First Nations of Canada to the saffron robes of Eastern religions. The sounds of bells, drums, and musical instruments, the dazzling exhibits, and the hundreds of educational offerings filled the days, and the diverse plenaries kept us busy each night. The syllabus of offerings was 378 page and it was a challenge to make choices when there were so many brilliant speakers from which to choose. This was the second Parliament that I attended, the first one having taken place in Salt Lake City three years ago; but the previous ones were held in South Africa, Australia, and Spain; it hadn’t been held on this side of the world since 1993. Needless to say, this was a very special gathering. It was all the more unique because of the sensitivity of the interfaith community to the grief of the Jewish participants, who, though admittedly a minority among the attendants. I, personally, was very touched by the outpouring of sympathy, and, even more so, the demonstration of solidarity with the Jewish participants. I know that most of you were in attendance at the community vigil Thursday night and then at Solidarity Shabbat, Friday night. I attended services at the Novoreyever Synagogue Friday night, where the services were co-led by a modern Orthodox Rabbi and a Reform Rabbi…delightful— followed by a delicious Kosher Shabbat dinner. The following morning, I attended services held in the Convention Center and led by colleagues from the Renewal and Reconstructionist movements, and I was warmed to know that in the seven major synagogues throughout Toronto, each edifice was surrounded by a ring of caring Muslim people, standing in support of the Jewish community. Between the outpouring of love from within and without to the proximity to educational opportunities on such topics as Women’s Dignity, Climate Action, Justice, War/Hate & Violence, and Sacred Music, it was a real challenge to pace myself. Some of the highlights for me, though, were the moments between the sessions, meeting old friends from the Abrahamic Reunion, helping a woman cut out white felt poppies to make poppy pins to remind people of the millions of civilians who have perished in wars around the world, walking in the skyways with a nun from India, or a healer from Chile. Someone asked me to try to sum up the take-away from the Parliament. Not easy to do, but, perhaps it is simply this: Faith is stronger than Fear; Love is stronger than Hate. L’Shalom,
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz
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From the President… Chanukah is upon us. Join us for a beautiful weekend that includes a holiday congregational pot luck party and an amazing benefit concert with Cantor Daniel Friedman and hosted by Congresswoman Shelly Berkley. All of this will be an amazing kickoff to the Festival of Lights. We urge you to save the date and register now as we Roast and Toast Congresswoman Dina Titus at UNLV on January 27, 2019. Seating for both events are limited. Please take the time to register now. Annie Wolff and her amazing committee are already working tirelessly to prepare for our Annual Community Passover Seder led by Reb Jamie Hyams and Cantor Marla Goldberg at UNLV on April 20, 2019.
Finally, it is with mixed emotions that we give a geographic farewell to Faith and David Silverman as they return to Florida. They will always be part of our Congregation P’nai Tikvah community. We look forward to seeing them many times in the coming years. Thanks for all you’ve done for CPT.
Sam Lieberman
LIFE & LEGACY is a partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to support Jewish communities in securing after-lifetime gifts. An unprecedented transfer of generational wealth is taking place before our eyes. Yet Jewish organizations by and large have not fully recognized the possibilities or sought legacy gifts despite the knowledge that endowments will have an increasingly impactful role in sustaining the future of their organizations. Having this knowledge, the question HGF sought to answer is “Can Jewish communities be motivated to become proactive in encouraging widespread legacy giving?” With implementation of LIFE and LEGACY the answer is YES! 5
$180 Donation includes a program listing, VIP reception, concert and lite nosh $72 Donation includes concert and lite nosh
HOST COMMITTEE: The Honorable Shelley Berkley and Dr. Larry Lehrner, Rabbi Yocheved Mintz, Lisa and Dr. Hugh Bassewitz, Sam Lieberman, Dale Gardner
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If you would like a copy of Kol Kiruv sent to your home, please send $ 72.00, along with your address to: Administrative Office, 1697 Black Fox Canyon Rd, Henderson, NV 89052 Clergy and Staff Cantor: Cantor Marla Goldberg Rabbinic Intern: Jamie Hyams Rabbi Emerita: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Educators: Rabbi Mintz and Cantor Goldberg Bookkeeper/Treasurer: Lynn Pisetzner Administrative Assistant: Faith Silverman Marketing Director: Cindy Fox
P’nai Tikvah is a warm and welcoming,
progressive, egalitarian, and pluralistic congregation focusing on the spiritual, educational, and social well-being of those who wish to live a fulfilling and
702.436.4900 www.pnaitikvahlv.org info@pnaitikvahlv.org
meaningful Jewish life.
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8
Community Vigil
for the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting
* Joyce Fienberg * Richard Godfried * Rose Mallinger * Jerry Robinowitz * Cecil Rosenthal * * David Rosenthal * Bernice Simon * Sylvan Simon * Daniel Stein * Melvin Wax * Irving Younger *
Attended by: * David Aris * Harriet Bernstein * Dale Gardner * Cantor Marla Goldberg * Reb Jamie Hyams * * Sam Lieberman * Laurie Lytel * Ruth Markind * David Silverman * Faith Silverman * * Carolyn Stewart * Judi Stotland * Ian Taylor * Roz Tessler * Mickie Weiss * Debbie Wilreker * Shenandoah Wilreker * Will Wilreker * 9
Jewlicious Learning November seems to have flown by, but we’ve been learning new songs and getting ready for Thanksgiving and Chanukah (can’t wait). We sent cards to the children of Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and started working on a little something special for the December 7th service. Our youngest students are polishing their Aleph-Bet skills and our pre-b’nai mitzvah students are polishing their prayer skills, chanting chops, and can now both print and do Hebrew in script. Thanks to Cantor Goldberg for bringing us new songs and thanks to Morah Iris Katz for subbing when Rabbi Mintz had to be out of town. We’ll all take a few weeks off from December 24th to January 7th and then we move into high gear for the second half of the year. And away we go….
Meyer
Danica 10
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AMAZON SMILE 5% comes back whenever you shop through the smile.amazon.com portal. Sign Up and select Congregation P'nai Tikvah by typing it in Please note: do not use the apostrophe when searching use: Congregation Pnai Tikvah
It’s easy to find Box Tops. In fact, you may have some in your home right now. Clip Box Tops from your favorite products and turn them in to your child’s school today! Box Tops are each worth 10¢ and they add up fast! * Annie’s * Betty Crocker * Bugles * Cascadian Farms * * Fiber One * Finish * Gardetto’s * General Mills * Go-Gurt * * Green Giant * Hefty * Kleenex * Land O’Lakes * Larabar * Lysol * * Old El Paso * Pillsbury * Nature Valley * Reynold’s * Scott * * Totino’s * Yoplait * Ziploc * 11
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Carolyn Stewart
December 1
Austin Royer
December 6
Ron Royer
December 8
Maxine Blechman
December 9
Sondra Rose
December 18
Gloria Granat
December 19
Nancy Goldberg
December 22
Adam Granat
December 25
Sam Wagmeister
December 30
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Rachel & Ron Piekarsky
December 19
MITZVAH ENVELOPES Tammy Kramer -In Memory of Rabbi Richard Schachet -In Honor of Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Esther Bell -In Memory of Richard Bell -Nidvei Lev Lynda French June Newmirk 12
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FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER Dorothy Bernstein -Remembered by Harriet Bernstein Lillian Brandt -Remembered by Ann Brandt Oscar M. Castro -Remembered by Ann Castro
Our condolences to Michael and Carrie Matt & family on the loss of his mother,
Iris Matt
George Effros -Remembered by Susan & Rick Bindhamer Minnie Etkind -Remembered by Ann Brandt
Stuart Goldwater -Remembered by Zelda Goldwater Samuel Kart -Remembered by Patricia Kart Rhonda Kolarik -Remembered by Dale Gardner Margaret Lebenheim -Remembered by Kristen Jaeger Joseph Porath -Remembered by Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Bertha Schacter -Remembered by Hedda Abbott Evelyn Ullman Remembered by Gary Ullman Memorial plaques are available; to honor the departed, to inspire the living, to be remembered in the hearts of those we leave behind is, in a sense, to live forever. For further information, call the Synagogue office at 702-436-4900 14
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE: December 2 3 4:15pm 7 6:00pm 7:30pm 8 9:30am 12:00n 7:45pm 10 4:15pm 17 4:15pm 21 7:30pm 22 9:30am 24 4:15pm January 4 6:30pm 7:30pm 5 9:30am 7 4:15pm 13 1:00pm 14 18 19 27 28 February 1
4 11
Chanukah Candle 1 Jewlicious Learning Chanukah Pot Luck Party Family Shabbat Torah Study Shabbat Lunch with Reb Jamie Hanukkah Concert with Cantor Daniel Jewlicious Learning Jewlicious Learning Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Service Torah Study Jewlicious Learning
Rabbi Mintz Indigo Indigo Indigo Chef Kenny’s Shelley Berkley Rabbi Mintz Rabbi Mintz Indigo TBA Rabbi Mintz
4:15pm 7:30pm 9:30am 11:00am 4:15pm
Family Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Service Torah Study Jewlicious Learning Rosh Chodesh—Film Festival Rosh Chodesh—Lunch Jewlicious Learning Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Service Torah Study Roast ‘n Toast of Dina Titus Jewlicious Learning
Indigo Indigo TBA Rabbi Mintz Adelson Sultan’s Grill Rabbi Mintz Indigo Indigo UNLV Rabbi Mintz
6:30pm 7:30pm
Family Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Service
Indigo
4:15pm 4:15pm
Jewlicious Learning Jewlicious Learning
Indigo Rabbi Mintz Rabbi Mintz
Blessing for the Month of Tevet Merciful One, it seems as though we have gone through so many of life’s challenges lately. May we be strong and resilient and know that the deepest pain often precedes the greatest insights. Be with us and with those we love. Amen. 15