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Happenings
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Rabbi Pam’s Message
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Rabbi Mintz’s Message
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Cantor’s Notes
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Brunch with Berkley
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Chanukah Bowl-A-Thon Form
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2,100 Year Old Coins,
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Kidz Corner
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Jewlicious Learning & Yad Squad
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Answer to page 16
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Birthday’s and Anniversaries
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Yahrzeits
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Nid’vei Leiv—From the Heart
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Calendar at a Glance
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Clergy and Staff Interim Rabbi: Rabbi Pamela Frydman Rabbi Emerita: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Cantor: Cantor Marla Goldberg Educators: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz and Cantor Marla Goldberg Teacher’s Aide: Austin Royer Bookkeeper: Lynn Pisetzner Treasurer: Lynn Pisetzner
702.436.4900 www.pnaitikvahlv.org info@pnaitikvahlv.org
Congregation P’nai Tikvah will worship on Shabbat, December 2nd and 16th at 2685 South Rainbow Street, STE 108. Tot Shabbat-Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services will begin at 6:30 PM on December 3rd and Shabbat-Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services will begin at 7:30 PM on December 17th. Torah Study will take place at 9:30 AM on November 5th and 19th. Congregation P’nai Tikvah meets at 2685 South Rainbow Street, STE 108, Las Vegas, NV 89146 $ :
Message from Interim Rabbi
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Message from the Rabbi Emerita Dear Chevreh: We are entering the darkest time of the year. Our tradition and the tradition of many faiths counters the darkness with festivals of light. The gloominess of the long nights is supplanted with the joys of Chanukah, or Christmas, or Kwanza. Boy, do we need Chanukah now! It’s not just the time of year that is dark; for all too many of us, there is a sense of darkness totally unrelated to the season. The country has weathered the most divisive political election cycle in history, 18 months of unprecedented inflammatory rhetoric, and an election that left half of the country elated and half of the country in mourning. The disappointment morphs into resignation for some and civil disobedience for others. There are demonstrations and even riots; but the sun still sets in the evening and rises again in the morning. It would be disingenuous to dismiss this situation with a platitude. “Gam zeh yaavor.” This, too, shall pass., and while that is true; we feel uncertain what we will have to deal with in the interim. “Kol ha-olam gesher tzar m’od, v’ha-ikar lo l’facheid ba / The whole world is a narrow bridge, but the essential thing is not to be afraid.” When we don’t know how much of the threatened changes will actually be implemented, we worry. When we see rising anti-Semitism, homophobia, rampant Islamophobia, blatant misogyny, we are afraid. When we hear denigrating remarks about people of color or plans to deport millions, or bar the immigration of refugees, we fear for our neighbors, but fear can paralyze. Winston Churchill famously said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Deuteronomy 20:1 tells us “have no fear.” A colleague, Rabbi Dale Schreiber once said “Fear is an idol that comes in uninvited. It then takes up residence and drives the decision making.” Or fear can be the catalyst for proactive vigilance. We can be alert to signs of bigotry, prejudice and hate. The late author and Holocaust Survivor, Elie Wiesel (z”l) told us: “Hate wears many masks. It comes disguised as racial or religious superiority, or it can wear the mask of patriotism or revolution. It is the cancer at the root of human relationships---among individuals and entire nations. But, strangely, the phenomenon of hate itself and the evil it fosters has rarely been addressed. Although hate has been with humankind since the beginning….it remains an uncharted sickness in the human soul.” And we can go beyond vigilance; we can be actively supportive of those in our government who are actively working for the betterment of the nation, no matter whether we voted them in or not. Likewise, we can call our representatives into account for actions or lack of actions. We can look out for signs of the pausing or dismantling of our government’s system of checks and balances. We can actively advocate for those people and causes that may be in peril. We can appreciate the freedoms that we have and not sink to the level of those who are fomenting disrespect and violence. continued on page 6
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As my colleague, Rabbi David Seidenberg says: “...But we should remember that the United States has been through a lot of difficult times in its long history, and the Jewish people has been through even more difficult times in its much much longer history. The current moment calls for vigilance and activism -- as every moment does. The current moment does not call for despair -- as no moment does.” May the candles of the Chanukiyah bring joy and light into each and every home. Miracles happened there, and miracles can happen now. After all, the Cubs won. L’Shalom,
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Rabbi Emerita/Senior Educator
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Cantor’s Notes A Note From the Cantor I heard there was a secret chord That David played and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you? Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall and the major lift The baffled King composing Hallelujah Hallelujah--Leonard Cohen z”l This is the first verse of the song Hallelujah by Canadian poet, novelist, songwriter and musician Leonard Cohen z”l. This song, first released in 1984 has been an anthem for so many in the latter half of the 20th century. It has been performed by hundreds of musicians in many languages, myself included. Its haunting melody and expressive lyrics have touched many people since its it first came out. The song was even used in the movie “Shrek”. Leonard Norman Cohen was born in Westmount, Quebec on September 21, 1934. His family was middle class Jewish. Leonard was the grandson of a great Talmudic writer Rabbi Solomon Klonitsky-Kline and Lyon Cohen the founding president of the Canadian Jewish Congress. His father passed away when he was nine. The family followed the practices of Orthodox Judaism, and Leonard was proud of his connection to Aaron as a Kohen, the family of priests. During his school years Leonard was into many activities but loved music and poetry, a love he got from his mother who had a lovely singing voice. He taught himself basic acoustic guitar, and had a folk band in high school. After meeting a Spanish guitarist who taught him some chords and ‘flaminco’, Leonard became interested in classical guitar. While he did become a poet and novelist, Leonard did not start his musical career until he was in his early thirties. He had several albums and his Hallelujah was released on the 1984 album,‘Various Posistions’ Although he sang it in his European tour, the popularity of Hallelujah did not begin until a 1991 cover by John Cale. This song was praised by New York Times reviewer Janet Maslin who said, “Cohen spent years struggling with his song Halleujah, which eventually became one of the most oft-performed songs in American musical history.” continued on page 9
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Leonard Norman Cohen z�l passed away on November 7, 2016 at the age of 82. His haunting melodies, and moving music will continue to keep his legacy alive. His music made us think, by exploring many themes of life. He will be forever missed. L’Shalom,
Cantor Marla Goldberg
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Lights and Strikes Bowl-A-Thon Form Page 1
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Lights and Strikes Bowl-A-Thon Form Page 2
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Lights and Strikes Bowl-A-Thon Form Page 3
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2,100 Year Old Coins, Bearing Names Of Maccabean Kings, Found In Israel
Hoard of Ancient Silver Coins Discovered Near Modi’in
Jerusalem - A hoard of silver coins, along with bronze coins bearing the names of the Maccabean kings, dating to the year 126 BCE in the Hasmonean period was discovered in April during an archaeological excavation near the city of Modi’in, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Tuesday. The bronze coins bear the names of the Jewish kings Yehohanan, Judah, Jonathan, and Mattathias (including his title: “High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews”) – all of the Hasmonean family that rose up against the Greek persecution in events commemorated by the holiday of Hanukkah. Images of the Selucid Greek King Antiochus IV, the villain of the Hanukkah story, appear on the silver coins unearthed. “To discover a hoard of coins is a very exciting find,” head of the IAA excavation team Avraham Hendler told Tazpit Press Service (TPS). “You begin to see one or two coins then you keep cleaning gently with a brush in a small pit and then you discover a pile of coins.” Hendler expressed particular fascination with the overall story behind the hoard of coins that was found. “Beyond the beautiful quality of the coins is the story that it tells us about that period of time and the people that lived there,” Hender shared with TPS. “It provides us with a window into their lives.” 14
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The revelation that the coins were hidden in a rock crevice of a wall that was part of what was once an estate dating back to the late Hellenistic period, helped provide the excavation team with an image of the lives of those who lived in the estate. “We discovered an estate house built from massive walls, rooms, a courtyard and a cistern,” Hendler explained to TPS. “It was built by a Jewish family in the Hasmonean period in the late Hellenistic period approximately 150 BCE,” he continued. “On the neighboring hills they planted vineyards, olive trees, and they lived from the agriculture in the area.” The estate clearly belonged to Jews given the discovery of Jewish characteristics in an estate such as a spiritual bath (mikvah). However, the silver coins that were found bore the images of the Seleucid king Antiochus VII and his brother Demetrius II. “Those were the silver coins of the time,” noted Hendler to TPS. “The Hasmonean kings did not mint silver coins. They minted bronze coins and if someone made their money in silver, those are likely the coins that they would have.” The excavation team was also exposed to snapshot of the Jewish revolt against Rome some 200 years later. “We saw evidence that residents of the estate took part in the first rebellion against the Romans,” Hendler mentioned to TPS. “We found coins from the time of the first rebellion with messages saying ‘for the freedom of Zion’ and ‘year two’ of the rebellion.” “Even after the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem in the year 70, they come back to their homes and continue cultivating their fields,” added Hendler. The estate appears to have played a more important role during the Second Revolt against Rome, also known as the Bar Kokhba Revolt. The Romans responded to the second revolt by deploying their troops not only to the main urban centers but to villages and rural areas so as to destroy any remnants of the rebellion. “A legion of the Roman army came to this site and the Jewish inhabitants of the site tried to fight them and win, but they did not win the battle and the Romans destroyed the estate,” Hendler explained to TPS. “It seems that local residents did not give up hope of gaining their independence from Rome, and they were well-prepared to fight the enemy during the Bar Kokhba uprising,” Tender said in an earlier statement. “During the excavation we saw how prior to the uprising the inhabitants of the estate filled the living rooms next to the outer wall of the building with large stones, thus creating a fortified barrier.” Hendler expressed a sense of amusement at all that he and his excavation team discovered at the site. “We read about these stories in literary and historic sources and they grasp our imaginations,” Hendler said to TPS. “During our excavations, we’re able to feel the walls and the vessels that the people in those times used, with our own hands. To come in contact with that is an amazing feeling.” http://www.vosizneias.com/240730/2016/06/07/jerusalem-2100-year-old-coins-bearing-namesof-maccabean-kings-found-in-israel/ 15
KIDZ KORNER for December
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http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/hanukkah/games/word_search/
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Jewlicious Learning & Yad Squad SIGN UP TODAY FOR OUR 2016-2017 SESSION Jewlicious Learning Hands on, experiential learning makes Jewish education fun and meaningful for our youngsters from Kindergarten through B’nai Mitzvah. Working with Rabbi Mintz, Cantor Goldberg, and our caring and engaging teaching staff makes a loving, caring, and motivating environment for our youngsters. Yad Squad (formerly “Teen Torah Tribe”) Post B'nai Mitzvah teens will be meeting from 10:00 to 11:30 on Sunday mornings once monthly this year for continuing education and leadership training. In addition to increasing their skill in "doing Jewish," they will experience: Social Action Opportunities Building self-esteem Building Jewish identity Building Jewish literacy Connecting with other Jewish teens and with the community and being provided with opportunities for positive personal expression.
Jewlicious Learners create Kosher Jelly-Belly Turkeys for the holidays. They are even wearing kippot! 17
Answers to Hanukkah Word Search on page 16
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December Birthdays Carolyn Stewart Scott Linker Wendy Sprattler Austin Royer Hannah Hansen Linda Kauffman Ron Royer Maxine Mintz Blechman Adrianne Rubin Marc Dubin Sondra Rose Gloria Granat Nancy Goldberg Adam Granat Sam Wagmeister
1-Dec 1-Dec 2-Dec 6-Dec 6-Dec 7-Dec 8-Dec 9-Dec 11-Dec 17-Dec 18-Dec 19-Dec 22-Dec 25-Dec 30-Dec
Rachel & Ronald Piekarsky Debbie & Wil Wilreker Adrianne & Sol Rubin Marti & J.D Jenkins
19-Dec 19-Dec 22-Dec 26-Dec
For $40.00 a prayer book can either be purchased for personal use or be dedicated to the congregation “In Memory” or “In Honor of” and a card from CPT will be sent to the family. The prayer book plate will be placed on the inside cover of our Kol HaNeshamah siddur. VOLUNTEERISM ABOUNDS AT CPT Homes are always needed for the various activities and meetings of our congregation. Offer a Personal prayer – If you’d like to write your own, please do so. If you would like to see it published in the newsletter.
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For the Month of December Dorothy Bernstein -Remembered by Harriet Bernstein George Effros -Remembered by Susan & Rick Bindhamer Minnie Etkind -Remembered by Ann Brandt Stuart Goldwater -Remembered by Zelda Goldwater Glen & Eleanor Jenkins -Remembered by J.D Jenkins Samuel Kart -Remembered by Patsy Kart Samuel Kosh -Remembered by Fern Kosh & Gayla Wennstrom -Margaret Lebenheim -Remembered by Kristen Jaeger & Tim Lockett Joseph Porath -Remembered by Rabbi Yocheved Mintz
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
Harry Rose -Remembered by Stanley and Sondra Rose Bertha Schachter -Remembered by Hedda Abbott Juliu Enrique Solivan -Remembered by Julita Patascher Evelyn Ullman -Remembered by Gary Ullman
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Nid’vei Lev- Donations from the Heart Tammy Kramer -In memory of Rabbi Richard Schachet -In honor of Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Anita Lewy -Nid'vei Lev -In honor of Rabbi Mintz being honored by Friends of IDF Walter Carnwright II -Nid'vei Lev Cindy & Marc Fox -Nid'vei Lev Evelyn & Ken Clark -In memory of Solomon & Jean Tzorfas Carol & Larry Bernstein -In honor of Rabbi Mintz being honored by Friends of IDF
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January 8 January 9 January 9 January 10
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE: 6:30 PM Tot Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study 7:30 PM Lach’kor-Explore Series: Strange Rituals we take for granted 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 7:00 PM Ivdu et Hashem B’Simcha-Jewish Liturgy as a Spiritual System 2:00 PM Chanukah Bowl-A-Thon with Indigo at Red Rock Lanes 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study at Indigo Valley 7:30 PM Lach’kor-Explore Series: The Real Reason We Celebrate for 8 days and other facts your mama never told you (Hint: “you are doing it wrong!”) 10:00 AM Yad Squad 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 7:00 PM Ivdu et Hashem B’Simcha-Jewish Liturgy as a Spiritual System 6:30 PM Tot Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study 7:30 PM Lach’kor-Explore Series: X-Rated Jewish Sexual Practices and Pleasures 10:00 AM Yad Squad 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American
January 20 January 21 January 21 January 29
7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study 7:30 PM Lach’kor-Explore Series: Prostitution in the Ranks 11:30 Brunch with Berkeley: A Roast to Remember
December 2 December 3 December 3 December 5 December 5 December 6 December 7 December 11 December 12 December 12 December 13 December 16 December 17 December 17 December 18 January 2 January 2 January 3 January 4 January 6 January 7 January 7
Blessing for the month of Kislev: May the warmth of your summer days carry you through the winter light of this season. May your roots be establish and rejuvenated for the coming spring. And let us say Amein 22