CONGREGATION P’NAI TIKVAH
Kol Kiruv January 2015
Tevet-Shevat
Happenings
1
Rabbi's Message
2-10
Cantor’s Notes
11-12
President’s Message
13-14
Ms. Holland’s Opus
15
CPT Book Club
16
Brunch with Brilliants
17
Jewlicious
18-19
Adult Education
19
Jewish Film Festival
20-25
Kidz Korner
26
Oneg Calendar
27
Birthdays
28
Women’s Rosh Chodesh
29
Yahrzeits
30
Community Happenings
31
Community Rewards Programs
32
Nid’vei Leiv—From the Heart
33
New Class—Biblical Hebrew
34
Contribution Form
35
Calendar at a Glance
36
Clergy and Staff Rabbi: Yocheved Mintz Cantor: Marla Goldberg Accompanist: Timothy Cooper Newsletter: Nancey Eason Educator: Rabbi Mintz Bookkeeper: Lynn Pisetzner Office Administrator: Nancey Eason info@pnaitikvahlv.org www.pnaitikvahlv.org www.facebook.com/pnaitikvahlv www.twitter.com/pnaitikvahlv
Vol. 21—No. 7
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 11:30 am to be held at Canyon Gate Country Club 2001 Canyon Gate Drive Las Vegas, NV 89117 to purchase your tickets contact the office 702.436.4900 Congregation P’nai Tikvah will worship on Shabbat, January 2nd and 16th at Kraft-Sussman Chapel, in the Bank of Nevada Business Park at 3975 S. Durango, Suite 104, in Las Vegas. Tot Shabbat will be held on January 2nd at 6:30 PM. Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv services will begin at 7:30 PM on January 2nd and 16th. Torah Study will take place at 10:00 AM on January 3rd and 17th at Rabbi Mintz’s home. A bagels and lox brunch is served. Please RSVP by emailing gkmintz@aol.com.
Message from the Rabbi
“Discrimination is the common element between the anti-Semite and the anti-Zionist. The former says that every man is equal except the Jew; the latter says that every nation is equal, except Israel.” --Abba Eben Dear Chevreh: A new year. Another chance to make things right…or not. The secular year that is passing has witnessed more outbreaks of blatant antiSemitism than any year in post-Holocaust history. Here is a list of selected incidents, as shared by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL): ARGENTINA December 7, 2014 - Santiago del Estero - A Jewish cemetery was desecrated. Tombstones were destroyed, monuments were uprooted and photos were displaced. November 11, 2014 - Buenos Aires – “Do good to the country, kill a Jew” was found spray painted in the Once neighborhood, an area that has a large population of Orthodox Jews. November 11, 2014 - Córdoba, Argentina – A swastika was painted on the front door of the rabbi’s home. July 15, 2014 - Mendoza - Anti-Semitic graffiti, including swastikas, were painted on the front of the Israelite Cultural Center building. June 27, 2014 - Basavilbaso - Swastikas were spray painted on the Tefila L'Moises Central Synagogue.
AUSTRALIA August 25, 2014 - Sydney - Anti-Semitic flyers were placed in mailboxes of homes in two Jewish neighborhoods. The flyers read: “Wake up Australia, Jews have been kicked out of countries 109 times through history. … Could it be that having them in a European country is harmful to the host?” They also included an invitation to join Squadron 88, a local white supremacist group. August 6, 2014 - Sydney - Six underage males boarded a bus transporting a group of Jewish students aged five to twelve years old, shouting "Heil Hitler" and "Kill the Jews" while threatening the young students with violence. August 4, 2014 - Perth - A visibly Orthodox rabbi and his assistant were assaulted by a group of youths who pounded on their car while yelling "f*** off" and calling them "killers." August 1, 2014 - Perth - The phrase "Zionist scum" was spray painted on the outside wall of a local Jewish school. continued on page 3 2
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BELGIUM November 15, 2014 - Antwerp - A rabbi was stabbed in the throat by an unknown assailant while walking to synagogue. September 16, 2014 - Anderlecht - A synagogue was the target of an arson attack. September 14, 2014 - Brussels - Rocks and bottles were thrown at the Jewish Martyrs’ memorial. September 10, 2014 - A man on a tram shouted that Muslims were being killed in Iraq and “Belgium does nothing, it’s ruled by Jews, who should be killed.” August 11, 2014 - Ghent - A banner reading "Send Netanyahu and his Zionist army back to Dachau for killing over 1,800 Palestinians” was hung from a balcony. July 30, 2014 - Antwerp - A Belgian doctor refused to treat a Jewish woman, telling her son "send her to Gaza for a few hours, then she'll get rid of the pain." July 23, 2014 - Liege - A cafe posted signs in Turkish and French on their window which read: "Dogs are allowed in this establishment but Jews are not under any circumstances.” The French text replaces “Jews” with “Zionists.” The police removed the sign. May 24, 2014 - Brussels - An unknown assailant opened fire inside the Jewish Museum, killing Israeli tourists Emmanuel and Mira Riva and two others. The gunmen then fled the museum and is currently being pursued by Belgian law enforcement officials.
BRAZIL May 8, 2014 - Santa Catarina - Graffiti reading "death to the Jews, they are human waste," "I want all Jews to be burned" and "They are closing the Federal University of Santa Catarina and will transform it into a concentration camp" was found in a bathroom on the campus of the Federal University of Santa Catarina. January 14, 2014 - São Paulo, Brazil – A swastika was found spray painted on the external wall of the Jewish Cultural Center.
BULGARIA June 4, 2014 - Sofia - The slogan "death to Jews" and a swastika were painted on the fence of the Sofia Central Synagogue.
CANADA July 23, 2014 - Thornhill - "F*** Israel" and a swastika was spray painted on a bus shelter in a Jewish neighborhood. May 26, 2014 - Vancouver Island - The phrase "no Jews," swastikas and the "n" word was spray painted on buildings and playgrounds in the areas of Victoria and Saanich. April 26, 2014 - Calgary - Swastikas and other graffiti were scrawled on a synagogue and five local schools. continued on page 4 3
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DENMARK August 21, 2014 - Copenhagen - A Jewish school was had its windows broken, as was spray painted with slogans reading "no peace in Gaza" and "no peace to you Zionist pigs."
FRANCE December 1, 2014 - Paris - Three armed individuals robbed a Jewish couple - a 19 year old woman and her 21 year old partner- at gunpoint, and raped the woman. The assailants reportedly told the couple they shouldn’t try to pretend they didn’t have money because they knew they were Jewish. November 6, 2014 - Paris - A visibly Jewish male was beaten by a group of approximately 15 teens outside of a school. August 12, 2014 - Marseilles -A visibly Jewish male was in his car and wanted to park in his building's garage, but another car was blocking the entrance. He honked and a young man came out of the building and said, “Dirty Jew, you’re not in Gaza here. I’m going to kill you and your family.” The victim tried to flee into the building, but was followed by the young man and several members of his family who hit him in the face and head. August 1, 2014 - Nice -Two men insulted two Jews near a local synagogue on Friday night, then came back at 3:30am Saturday with iron bars and broke a glass door and a surveillance camera. Police were close by and arrested them on the spot. July 26, 2014 - Toulouse - Following an anti-Israel demonstration, a protestor threw two Molotov cocktails at the security kiosk of the Jewish Community Center. The cocktails exploded but missed their target, and the attacker was quickly arrested. July 24, 2014 - Bobigny - A Jewish male was attacked by a group of people after his address was published on a Facebook page. He sustained light injuries. July 23, 2014 - Paris -Police arrested 16 people, mostly minors, for yelling “Death to Jews!” at a patrons of a restaurant on rue de Rosier, one of the more famous streets in the old Jewish Quarter of Paris. July 22, 2014 - Gap - During an anti-Israel demonstration yesterday in Gap (southeastern France) with 300 participants, ten hooded individuals broke a window where a Star of David was visible. They threatened to kill the woman inside, but didn’t enter and fled before the police arrived. July 20, 2014 - Sarcelles -A kosher store that was attacked with an improvised grenade in 2012 was attacked again, apparently with a Molotov cocktail, during an illegal anti-Israel demonstration. July 18, 2014 - Lyon - A young Jewish male was hit in the head as his attacker yelled, "I want to kill all the Jews." The attacker was arrested on the spot by police. July 18, 2014 - Lyon - A banner with "Israel Assassin" was hung on the gate of a synagogue. July 13, 2014 - Paris - During a large anti-Israel demonstration two synagogues were attacked. Dozens of demonstrators broke off and tried to attack the Synagogue de la Roquette, while other demonstrators tried to enter the synagogue at Rue des Tournelles. Anti-Semitic slogans were reported in both incidents and chants of “Death to the Jews!” were heard during the demonstration. continued on page 5 4
continued from page 4 July 7, 2014 - Paris - A 17-year-old Jewish girl was attacked and pepper sprayed in her face while the assailant made anti-Semitic remarks. June 14, 2014 - Paris - Two men pointed what appeared to be firearms at police officers stationed outside a synagogue. June 14, 2014 - Garges les Gonesses - A knife and other objects were hurled into the interior yard of a synagogue. June 7, 2014 - Sarcelles - Two visibly Jewish teenagers were sprayed with tear gas. May 30, 2014 - Paris - A Jewish man was attacked by three assailants who said to him: “We know it was you who called the cops yesterday. You Jews are all the same.” They then proceeded to physically assualt the individual, shouting "You're a dirty Jew. We know where you live, we know your wife, your kids, your car." The man sustained a broken elbow during the incident. May 24, 2014 - Paris - Two Jewish brothers, aged 19 and 22, who were on their way to a local synagogue, were beaten with brass knuckles by two assailants. One victim was hospitalized with a severe eye injury. May 13, 2014 - Paris - A Jewish woman and her baby were assaulted while waiting for a bus. An unidentified woman shook the baby's stroller and shouted at the mother: "Dirty Jewess, enough with your children already, you Jews have too many children, screw you!" March 10, 2014 - Paris - A visibly identifiable Jewish male was attacked by two men with a stun gun near a local synagogue. He was not seriously hurt, but did require hospitalization. March 2, 2014 – Paris – An orthodox Jewish man was assaulted and beaten on a Metro train. The four assailants, who were described as of Arab descent, reportedly shouted “Jews” before the attack.
GERMANY July 29, 2014 - Wuppertal - Molotov cocktails were thrown at the doors of a local synagogue. July 25, 2014 - Frankfurt-am-Main - A rabbi received a phone call from a man who threatened to kill 30 Jews in the city if his family in Gaza was harmed. July 25, 2014 - Berlin -A visibly identifiable Jews was hit in the face while walking on the street. The attacker fled before police arrived.
GREECE May 30, 2014 - Thessaloniki - Unknown vandals damaged a Jewish cemetery in the city by smashing some vases and ornaments and knocking over several headstones and plaques.
HOLLAND August 2 – Gorinchem – A Holocaust monument was spray painted with the slogan “Free Gaza.” July 29, 2014 - Amsterdam - A firebomb was thrown at an apartment belonging to a Jewish woman who was flying an Israeli flag on her balcony. July 17, 2014 - Amersfoot - Stones were thrown through a window of the home of the country's Chief Rabbi. continued on page 6 5
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HUNGARY August 4, 2014 - Erpatak - The town mayor hung in effigy the Israeli Prime Minister and former President, and told the Associated Press that the “Jewish terror state” is trying to obliterate the Palestinians and says he opposes “the efforts of Freemason Jews to rule the world.” May 8, 2014 - Szikszo - Over 50 Jewish graves were smashed and knocked over in a local cemetery. March 14, 2014 - Tatabanya - Jewish tombstones were defaced with swastikas and anti-Semitic slurs, including the phrases “STINKING JEWS!”, “HoloLie” and “There was no Holocaust but there will be!!!”
IRELAND July 18-19, 2014 - Belfast - The windows of a local synagogue were smashed on consecutive days.
ITALY August 9, 2014 - Rome - Posters headlined “Boycott Israel!” cited the “massacre of the Palestinian people” and urged “not to buy from Jews.” The poster then listed shops in Rome that are alleged to be owned by Italian Jews. August 6, 2014 - Gorizia - A synagogue door was defaced with the words "Judey pigs. We will kill you a lot!!" July 26, 2014 - Rome - Anti-Semitic graffiti and flyers, including swastikas and posters reading "Anne Frank Storyteller", were found on the shops and walls of city's historic Jewish neighborhood. January 25, 2014 - Rome - Boxes containing pigs heads were mailed to the city's synagogue, the Jewish museum and the Israeli Embassy. The synagogue also received an anonymous bomb threat. In a separate incident, a swastika and anti-Semitic graffiti were found outside a municipal building in a Rome neighborhood reading “the Holocaust is a lie” and “Hanna [sic] Frank is a big liar.”
MEXICO January 8, 2014 - Mexico City - A banner was found near the Mexican Senate that read “All of Peña Nieto’s public authorities are Jews,” “They steal millions,” “Go leave for Israel,” “Jewish murderers,” and “Bring Peña Nieto to Israel and all of the PRI-PAN mafia.”
MOROCCO July 11, 2014 - Casablanca - The Rabbi of the Jewish community was attacked by an assailant who reportedly told the Rabbi that it was in retribution for Israeli air-strikes on Gaza. The Rabbi suffered a broken nose and ribs.
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NORWAY October 25, 2014 - Trondheim - Several tombstones in a Jewish cemetery were desecrated with purple paint, and the slogan "Der Furher" a reference to Hitler, was painted on a nearby building.
RUSSIA December 2, 2014 - Moscow - A Jewish student was violently attacked outside the Torat Haim Yeshiva. November 24, 2014 - Moscow - The Limud Center for Torah Studies was spray painted with graffiti reading "this is a Zionists's lair. Get out!"
SOUTH AFRICA October 24, 2014 - Cape Town - BDS activits placed a severed pig's head in the kosher meat section of a Woolworths store. They activists statated the action was intending to prevent "people who will not eat pork to pretend that they are eating clean meat, when it is sold by hands dripping with the blood of Palestinian children." July-August 2014 - Numerous Jewish organizations and Jewish community members have received threats of violence through social media and phone calls relating to Israel's actions in Gaza. July 15, 2014 - Cape Town - A wall along highway road was spray painted with a Star of David with a swastika inside it. July 7, 2014 - Cape Town - A wall near a local synagogue was spray painted with the slogan “F*** the Jews”, alongside a swastika and drawing of skullcap on top of head and the word ‘kak keppie’.
SWEDEN August 2, 2014 - Malmo - Unidentified individuals attacked a rabbi, throwing a glass bottle at his car while shouting "f***ing Jews." July 31, 2014 - Malmo - The city's main synagogue was attacked when unknown vandals hurled bottles at the building breaking three windows. March 27, 2014 - Malmo - Two teenagers were arrested after attempting to break into a Jewish community building during a demonstration that featured anti-Semitic slogans. March 10, 2014 - Stockholm - A high school which holds special classes for Jewish students was spray painted with anti-Semitic graffiti including a swastika, the phrases "Jewish swine" and "disgusting Jews," and the number "1488,"a reference to the Nazi greeting "Heil Hitler."
SPAIN August 22, 2014 - Azuqueca de Henares - A local Imam delivered an anti-Semitic sermon where he classified the Jewish people as being traitors, assassins and aggressive, and prayed for God to “Destroy the looting Jews…until none of them are left.” continued on page 8 7
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SWITZERLAND August 12, 2014 - Davos - A visibly identifiable Jew was attacked by an unknown assailant who was shouting "Jews out."
TUNISIA May 22, 2014 - Djerba - A 38 year-old Jewish male was stabbed in the chest by a masked Muslim assailant in the city's Jewish market. According to eyewitnesses, the attacker yelled "the Nation of Muhammad returns for vengeance" before charging and stabbing the individual. The attacker was arrested and then reportedly released by police after over a hundred masked men threatened to burn down the police station where he was being held. April 30, 2014 - Sfax - The Beith El synagogue was vandalized by unknown assailants who tore apart the walls and littered the floor with prayer books and other items.
TURKEY November 7, 2014 - Istanbul - Unknown vandals posted a sign on the doors of the city's main synagogue which read "to be demolished." September 11, 2014 - Istanbul - Faruk Kose, a columnist for the Yeni Akit newspaper, wrote an article calling on Turkey's Jews to be taxed in order to pay for the reconstruction of buildings damaged in Gaza during Israel's conflict with Hamas. September 4, 2014 - Istanbul - A sign reading "The dog Jews cannot come in here" was posted on a store in an area with a number of Jewish businesses. July 22, 2014 - Istanbul - During an anti-Israel protests in front of the OrtakÜy Synagogue, eggs were thrown at the synagogue. February 6, 2014 - Babaeski - Two Turkish Jews were eating at a restaurant when they were attacked by the restaurant’s owner who shouted anti-Semitic epithets and chased them out of the establishment.
UKRAINE November 11, 2014 - Kiev - Swastikas were painted on the Holocaust memorial monument at Babi Yar. September 24, 2014 - Kiev - A firebomb was thrown at a synagogue shortly before the start of Rosh Hashana. No damage was caused. April 21, 2014 - Dnepropetrovsk - Swastikas were spray painted on the tomb of Dov Ber Schneerson, brother of the late Lubavicher Rebbe, Rabbi Menahem Mendel Schneerson. April 19, 2014 - Nikolayev - Two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the door and window of a synagogue. The building was empty at the time, and a passer-by put out the fires with a fire extinguisher. continued on page 9 8
continued from page 8 March 13, 2014 - Kiev - A rabbi was physically assaulted and taunted with anti-Semitic slurs by two unidentified individuals. February 28, 2014 – Simferopol – Vandals spray painted “Death to the Jews” and swastikas on the outside of the Ner Tamid Reform Synagogue in the capital of Ukraine’s Crimean republic. February 24, 2014 – Zaporozhye – Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Giymat Rosa synagogue and community center. No one was hurt in the nighttime attack, although the building suffered exterior cosmetic damage. January 26. 2014 – Kiev – A Jewish man returning from synagogue was assaulted by an unknown attacker. The attack was the third such incident within two weeks. January 17, 2014 - Kiev - A 28 year-old Yeshiva student was beaten and stabbed by three youths as he was walking home from synagogue services. He managed to return to the synagogue where he collapsed. He was taken to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery on his foot. January 11, 2014 - Kiev - An Israeli-born Hebrew teacher was followed home from synagogue services and beaten by four men.
UNITED KINGDOM September 12, 2014 - Hertfordshire - Visibly Jewish school students were refused entry into a sporting goods store by a security guard who told them "no Jews" were allowed in. The store later apologized and the security guard was fired. August 2, 2014 - Hove - "Free Gaza" was spray painted on a synagogue. July 30, 2014 - Kingston - A sign reading "child murderers" was taped the door of a synagogue. July 13, 2014 - Hendon - A swastika was spray painted on the front door of a Jewish home. July 12, 2014 - Manchester - Following a pro-Palestinian rally, occupants in a group of cars driving through the Jewish neighborhood of Broughton Park shouted and swore at Jewish pedestrians with slogans that included “Heil Hitler”. Cans and eggs were thrown at Jewish pedestrians from at least two of the cars. June 22, 2014 - Manchester - 40 gravestones were pushed over and smashed in the Blackley Jewish Cemetery. June 22, 2014 - Tottenham - Neo-Nazi's attacked concert-goers at a music festival, pelting them with fireworks and rocks. One of those deliberately attacked was wearing a kippa.
URUGUAY November 18, 2014 - The president of Penarol, a Uruguayan soccer club, called a Jewish radio journalist who was interviewing him a "f***ing Jew." September 15, 2014 - Montevideo - The phrase “Zeig Hitler” and a swastika were drawn on a car belonging to a Jewish student of the Yavneh Jewish orthodox school.
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continued from page 9 August 3, 2014 - Montevideo - A swastika was 'keyed' on the doors of an apartment building known to have a number of Jewish residents. August 2, 2014 - Ciudad de la Costa - The phrase "Jews get out of my country" was spray painted on a beach structure.
VENEZUELA August 15, 2014 - Caracas - The world "Judio" and a swastika were spray painted on a car. January 9, 2014 - Caracas – Anti-Semitic graffiti was found on the Keter Torah synagogue in the San Bernardino neighborhood.
NEW ZEALAND September 2014 - Auckland - Several billboards featuring Prime Minister John Key were daubed with the words “Lying Jew c—-sucker” and Key's image were defaced with a black hat and sidelocks.
And the list doesn’t even mention the incidents that made the press in the United States. And what does the world say? Where is our outrage here in the U.S.? Nothing…..Silence….not even the sound of crickets. And what of the United Nations? G’valt! Not only was there no outrage, there were numerous accusations against Israel when she finally said “Enough!” to all the missiles being lobbed into her sovereign state borders and let loose with Operation Protected Edge. The United Nations’ own compounds were used by Hamas to launch missiles and mortars into Israel…and the U.N. cried “foul!” Need we be reminded of the dangers of silence? Will our silence make us complicit if, G-d forbid, incidents escalate? My message to all of us in this year of new opportunities to get things right is merely to speak out, write in, and stand up. Be aware, be alert, be involved. May we learn from our past, and not be condemned to relive it. L’Shalom,
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz
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Cantor’s Notes
A Note From the Cantor Growing up at Temple DeHirsch Sinai in Seattle, I sang in the Junior Choir every Saturday morning during the school year. We did a version of the V’ahavta in English to the wonderful melody written by Debbie Friedman, z”l. It was the first song she wrote for synagogue, the first in a lasting legacy. “And Thou Shalt Love” was written in 1970 were it was introduced to a regional North Federation of Temple Youth convention where she was a song leader. The prayer made an immediate impact. She said of this moment, “I was stunned when they suddenly put their arms around each other and there were tears rolling down their faces. They were reclaiming this prayer, and it was ours in a musical language they were able to understand...” Over the years, Debbie wrote more than 100 songs for worship, life cycle events, Jewish values, Torah, teaching, and a few holiday songs that are full of fun. (One of the most popular holiday songs is “Happy Thanksgiving”.) Her melodies ranged from very melodic like her Mi Sheberach, to lively melodies that make one want to dance like one of our congregation’s favorites Miriam’s Song. Debbie was born in Utica, New York, in 1951. She lived there until the age of 6 when here family moved St. Paul, Minnesota. She lived in many places, including Israel during her life. Of course, she traveled to many cities throughout North America performing her songs in concerts that were great sing along song sessions. My father used to say Debbie was the ultimate song leader. She also led worship in congregations throughout the country bringing her great spirituality to our prayers. Amazingly she did all the concerts, services and song writing while battling illness through most of her life. continued on page 12 11
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I remember one concert when she came into our sanctuary, where the concert was held, in a wheelchair. There was a sign asking that people didn’t take flash photos as that could cause her problems. Debbie got out of the chair, climbed the five steps to the bima, and stood up in front of us with her guitar and led us in song for two hours. Then she got back in her chair and joined us for a reception after. She had such inner strength. Debbie became a faculty member of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2007. She loved teaching and helped to train many great new rabbis and cantors in bringing joy to the music of our worship. In 2010 she made her final home in Laguna Beach, CA to be near her family. On January 9, 2011 Debbie lost her battle with her illness. I was attending a Cantor’s conference at the time. I remember Chazzan Nate Lam coming into the room, his cell phone in hand, relating to us the news. We were all stunned, we all mourned. Her last song, a beautiful version of Shalom Aleichem, began circling the country. It is one our congregation uses every Shabbat. A great force of Jewish music left us that day. Debbie left us a great musical legacy. Her songs will be sung for generations to come. A great tribute to her contributions to Jewish music was given by Hebrew Union College when the School of Sacred Music was renamed “The Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music” in December of 2011. Her music changed us, and her legacy will live on. L’Shalom, Cantor Marla Goldberg
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Message from the President:
By the time you read this message, we will have begun the celebration of Chanukah, an eight day holiday commencing from the 25th day of Kislev, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C.E. by the Maccabees. Rededication…I thought about that word. What did Rededication really mean? Did it just mean a major “spring cleaning” of the Temple by the Maccabees, or was there more to Rededication? What does Rededication mean to our Congregation? For the Maccabees, Rededication meant a return, a revival of our customs. It meant religious freedom, as we regained our right to worship. We live in a Nation that allows us our freedom to worship and certainly Chanukah is very much a reminder that in our world, today, this right of worship does not exist for all people. As I think about Rededication, it takes a different meaning for me, as President of our Congregation. Rededication for me means a renewed commitment to our shul, a renewal of spirit, a renewal of energy that each member of Congregation P’nai Tikvah needs to “buy-in” to in order for us to thrive.
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We may not be fighting off the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd Century but we face another enemy of Judaism that may be as powerful as the army of Antiochus IV Epiphanes - our enemy is indifference. We need the support of our membership, whether it be the sharing of Shabbat services with each other, participating in our programs such as Brunch with Brilliants, making donations from our heart, volunteering to work with our board members on our fund-raising, education, membership or social action committees. Being part of the process, a genuine Mitzvah when you help our Congregation! Our membership is our future. Where do you all want us to go? What direction should the Board take that makes a difference for you? We can’t do it alone without your meaningful support. During this holiday of the Festival of Lights, reflect upon your Rededication to our Congregation. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.
Barbara Holland, President
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WHO: WHEN:
WHERE:
WHAT:
P’nai Tikvah Book Group 5775 is any CPT member
March 26 @ 6:45 PM, The Paris Architect: A Novel by Charles Belfoure May 14 @ 6:45 PM, The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult Home of Jane Kusel 702-407-5077 kuseld@yahoo.com An evening translated into a journeys of the senses through shared dissections of the readings below. *Limited to 12 voices-please RSVP in a timely fashion
Like most gentiles in Nazi-occupied Paris, architect Lucien Bernard has little empathy for the Jews. So when a wealthy industrialist offers him a large sum of money to devise secret hiding places for Jews, Lucien struggles with the choice of risking his life for a cause he doesn't really believe in. Ultimately he can't resist the challenge and begins designing expertly concealed hiding spaces— behind a painting, within a column, or inside a drainpipe—detecting possibilities invisible to the average eye. But when one of his clever hiding spaces fails horribly and the immense suffering of Jews becomes incredibly personal, he can no longer deny reality.
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bet Do You Know Your Alef-Bet? Ask A Jewlicious Student
yud
ayin 18
Reb Yo! The featured maven latke maker.
Our Jewlicious Learners enjoying gastronomic Jewry and the arts
Cantor Marla Goldberg and the Jewlicious Students
Our adult learners understanding the rituals of our calendar and delving into the study of Talmud 19
Let There Be Light! Welcome to the 14th annual Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival. Through the art of film, the LVJFF provides insight into Jewish identity, history, and culture, and promotes solidarity with Israel and the remembrance of the Holocaust. The 2015 LVJFF is produced by the Desert Space Foundation and the Adelson Educational Campus with major support provided by Adelson Family Foundation, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Israeli American Council, and generous contributions from businesses, organizations, and numerous individual donors in our community. The LVJFF dedicates this year’s film festival to the memory and magnanimous heart of Victor Chaltiel. A special screening of one of Victor’s favorite movies, THE MAD ADVENTURES OF RABBI JACOB, will remind us of his tremendous joie de vivre. TICKETS: Film Festival tickets are good for any one film in the festival schedule on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited and will depend on availability. Seating is not guaranteed. In the unlikely possibility that an individual screening becomes sold out, ticket holders unable to be seated will receive a $10.00 refund and be able to use their ticket for any other film in the remainder of the festival.
Jerusalem Saturday January 10, 2015 | 7:00 PM Brenden Theatres @ Palms Hotel USA 2013 | English | 45 minutes Daniel Ferguson, Director and James Hyder, Editor/ Publisher of LF Examiner will moderate Seeking to build trust and respect between cultures, JERUSALEM takes audiences on an inspiring tour of one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic cities. Following three young Jewish, Christian, and Muslim women, we learn what it means to call Jerusalem home by experiencing celebrations and events that mark the high points of a year in the life of the city. Filmed with IMAX cameras for IMAX theaters. This presentation will not be in the IMAX format. continued on page 21
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Sunday January 11, 2015 | 1:00 PM Adelson Educational Campus USA 2014 | English | 2014 Susan and Lloyd Ecker, Producers and Michael Green, Associate Professor of History at UNLV will moderate. The rags to riches story of Sophie Tucker, an iconic superstar who ruled the worlds of vaudeville, Broadway, radio, television, and Hollywood through much of the 20th century. Before Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, and Bette Midler, Sophie Tucker was the first Jewish woman performer to infatuate audiences with a bold, bawdy, and brassy style unlike any other. Using all of her 400-plus recently rediscovered personal scrapbooks, the film retraces a sixtyyear career in show business.
The Farewell Party Sunday January 11, 2015 | 3:30 PM Adelson Educational Campus Israel 2014 | Hebrew | 93 minutes THE FAREWELL PARTY is a unique, compassionate and unlikely funny story of a group of friends at a Jerusalem retirement home who build a machine for self-euthanasia in order to help their terminally ill friend. When rumors of the machine begin to spread, more and more people ask for their help, and the friends are faced with a life and death dilemma.
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Night Will Fall Thursday January 15, 2015 | 7:00 PM Cinemark Theatres @ South Point Hotel United Kingdom 2014 | English | 75 minute Rabbi Akselrad, Rabbi Tecktiel, Ben Lesser, Survivor and Esther Finder and Gene Greenberg, 2nd Generation Survivors will moderate This new film about a suppressed, long-shelved documentary chronicling the Allies’ discovery and liberation of the Nazi concentration camps, recounts the restoration of what would have been a contemporaneous account of that seminal moment in history. The original film's producers received guidance from Alfred Hitchcock. Boldly revealing unknown aspects of the Holocaust, NIGHT WILL FALL is harrowing and challenging to watch but serves as a significant addition to the mission of Holocaust education. Not recommended for the sensitive or young.
The Muses of Isaac Bashevis Singer Saturday January 17, 2015 | 7:00 PM Adelson Educational Campus Israel 2014 | English, Hebrew, Yiddish | 72 minutes Shaul Betser and Asaf Galay, Co-Directors will moderate In the mid 1960's, Bashevis Singer chose more than forty women to work as his translators. He was inspired by their presence, often falling in love with them. Nine of these women who were intimately familiar with the man are profiled in the film, allowing us an intimate glimpse into his complex personality and personal life. continued on page 23 22
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The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (tribute to Victor Chaltiel) Sunday January 18, 2015 | 1:00 PM Adelson Educational Campus France 1973 | French | 100 minutes Paul Schiffman, Head of School, AEC and Joshua Abbey, Director, LVJFF will moderate THE MAD ADVENTURES OF RABBI JACOB is very funny and powerfully poignant. Victor Pivert is a very tolerant man, provided you are white, Catholic, and French. To everyone else, he is a shameless racist, who believes foreigners should go back where they came from. On his way to his daughter's wedding, Victor uncovers a group of scheming Arab revolutionaries. After Victor is discovered, he hides himself by dressing up as a rabbi, leading to one madcap scene after another.
Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem Sunday January 18, 2015 | 3:30 PM Adelson Educational Campus USA 2014 | English | 75 minutes Film provided by The National Center for Jewish Film. Lisa Rivo, Co-Director of The National Center for Jewish Film will moderate. The stories of two beloved Jewish icons, Sholom Aleichem and Theodore Bikel, are woven together in this enchanting documentary film. The prose of Aleichem (1859–1916) is the true soul of the Jewish shtetl life. The film is based on Bikel’s one-man show that he has performed all over the world. Bikel also immortalized Aleichem’s Tevye which he performed over 2000 times on stage. continued on page 24 23
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Rescue in the Philippines Sunday January 18, 2015 | 7:00 PM Adelson Educational Campus USA 2013 | English | 60 minutes Peggy J. Ellis, Barbara Weston Sasser, Producers, Russ Hodge & Cynthia Scott, Executive Producers and Olga Zervoulakos Owens, Author, Olga’s War will moderate The previously untold story of how the five Frieder brothers, Cincinnati businessmen making two-for-a-nickel cigars in pre-WWII Manila, together with Manuel Quezon, the charismatic first president of the Philippines, Paul McNutt, US High Commissioner and former governor of Indiana, and an ambitious Army Colonel named Dwight Eisenhower -- helped 1,200 Jews escape the Nazis and immigrate to the Philippines.
Run Boy Run Saturday January 24, 2015 | 7:00 PM Adelson Educational Campus Germany, France 2014 | Polish, German, Russian, Yiddish | 107 minutes Stan Rubens, Survivor will moderate A superlative saga of courage and compassion based on a bestselling Holocaust novel by Israeli author Uri Orlev, RUN BOY RUN tells the extraordinary true story of an eight-year-old Polish boy who seeks the kindness of others in his solitary struggle to outlast the Nazi occupation and keep his Jewish faith and himself alive. continued on page 25 24
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J Street Challenge Sunday January 25, 2015 | 1:00 PM Adelson Educational Campus USA, 2014 | English | 64 minutes Avi Goldwasser, Executive Producer, Director and Charles Jacobs, Special Consultant to the film will moderate The film investigates the background of J Street, its founders, funding, and its alliances with organizations and individuals who are known to be hostile to the Jewish state. Featuring interviews with Professors Alan Dershowitz and Ruth Weiss from Harvard, Caroline Glick from the Jerusalem Post and others, the film is intended to enlarge the discussion and educate the Jewish community about the challenges it faces both from within and from without.
Beneath The Helmet Sunday January 25, 2015 | 3:30 PM Adelson Educational Campus USA 2014 | Hebrew | 90 minutes Aviv Regev, a soldier from the film will moderate
BENEATH THE HELMET: FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO THE HOME FRONT is a coming of age story that highlights five young Israeli high school graduates who are drafted into the army to defend their country. At the age of 18, away from their homes, family, and friends, these young individuals undergo a demanding journey, revealing the core of who they are and who they want to be.
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KIDZ KORNER for January
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Sign up for the 5775 On’gai Shabbat Season. Celebrate your simcha, honor your family, do it because it is fun. For you foodies who want to get your Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsey on, there’s still time! Check the schedule below; an opening is your opportunity: Sponsored by Paula Deal in honor of Bubbie Ruth January 2
Katz (Paula's Mom) visiting! Catered by
January 16 February 6 February 20
Sponsored by Ann Mandell Catered by Sponsored and Catered by Barbara and Andy Holland in honor of their anniversary, Sponsored by Catered by Sponsored by Rozlyne Tessler in honor of Harriet’s
March 6
Bernstein's Birthday Catered by Nancey Eason
March 20
Sponsored and Catered by Phyllistan’s in honor of Phyllis’s 65th Birthday Sponsored by Ken and Evelyn Clark in honor of
April 3
Carly’s Birthday Catered by
April 17
Sponsored by Catered by Pick a date to sponsor or cater an oneg in the upcoming year. Call the office at (702) 436-4900 or email info@pnaitikvahlv.org to book your date now! 27
Dotti Elgart
January 4
Arleah Rush-Giannopoulos
January 5
Cindy Fox
January 14
Edie Edwards
January 22
Henry Fish
January 23
Tiffany Freud
January 30
Jewlicious Learners Classes continue on Monday afternoons at the Rabbi’s home, from 4:15
To have a “Chai Contributions”…to life! sent out, please contact the office at 4364900, or so indicate on your Mitzvah envelope. Mitzvah Funds and Tribute Card funds are used to help maintain and grow the vital programs and services of Congregation P’nai Tikvah.
to 6:00, January– June. Registration continues to be open.
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.
Happiness is a choice, a habit, a desire... You are as young and successful, as you think you are. Enjoy yourself. Have fun. Omit things you will regret. Imagine what you want to do next... 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 new Kol HaNeshamah siddur. 23
Todah Rabah to Ann Mandell for opening up her beautiful home to the Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group for the month of Kislev. Todah Rabah to Jane Kusel for preparing the Chanukah program.
Join us at the home of Linda Kauffman for a night of creativity and skillbuilding, as we welcome the month of Tevet. Our guest is Sadia Tarar, a woman of Pakistani origin, who will instruct us in the art of knitting with our fingers—no knitting needles. We will attempt to knit (or begin to knit) or own fabulous scarves and enjoy an evening of friendship, fun, and bonding. RSVP to the office at 702-436-4900. Note: For this event, please bring 2 skeins of #6 wool . Be sure to pick your favorite color of this thick soft wool, so your scarf will be uniquely yours.
Upcoming Rosh Chodesh Dates for 5775 Sh’vat
January 25
Host: Cindy Fox
Adar
February 15th
Host: Annie Wolff
Nisan
March 22nd
Host: Laurie Lytel
Iyar
April 19th
Host: Dale Gardner
Sivan
May 17th
Host: Jennifer Cohen
Tammuz
June 14th
Host: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz
Keep a lookout for our Women’s Rosh Chodesh Retreat in August. 29
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.
Betty Baum -Remembered by Marian Baum Sidney Brandt -Remembered by Ann Brandt
For further information, call the Synagogue office at 702-436-4900
Sorrow comes to all‌ Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You can not Charlotte Clark -Remembered by Susan & Rick Bind- now realize that you will ever feel better...and yet‌ hamer You are sure to be happy again
Martin Hillman -Remembered by Anne & Gary Ullman
Abraham Lincoln Submitted by Phyllis Zuckerman
Samuel Kamanitz -Remembered by Barbara & Andrew Holland Bernice Kuryk -Remembered by Barbara & Andrew Holland Elaine Lytel -Remembered by Laurie Lytel Lee Sol Mintz -Remembered by Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Karen Anne Murphy -Remembered by Lynda French
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There are two important programs designed to help individuals and families in need that are supported by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Service Agency. Jewish Free Loan Program The Jewish Free Loan Program (JFL) was established by the Jewish Federation and administered by the Jewish Family Service Agency to assist members of our Jewish community with shortterm, no-interest loans of up to $2,500. For more information about the Jewish Free Loan Program please contact Renea Parr at the Jewish Family Service Agency (rparr@jfsalv.org) or 702-732-0304. United Way Fund for Families Our Jewish Federation has a close working partnership with United Way and the Marilyn & Tom Spiegel Fund for Families. The fund was established by the Spiegel's to specifically address financial needs for families with children who are struggling to make "ends meets" and who are committed to providing a wholesome family environment for their children in spite of short-term financial insecurity. To learn more about this program please contact Elliot Karp at Elliot@jewishlasvegas.com or 702-732-0556.
Room To Rent $550 Per Month, including utilities $300 Deposit Male Only 12 x 15 sq. ft-large closet and bathroom in a large home with pool and spa NON SMOKER NO PETS (I have a small dog) MUST BE CLEAN AND NEAT Must clean own living space Contact Marty at msloeb@centurylink.net Or 702.340.5303 31
You’ll start earning rewards for Congregation P’Nai Tikvah right away on qualifying purchases made using your Smith’s and Vons rewards Card! Smith's and Von's are committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations will earn millions of dollars through these kinds of programs. There is no cost to enroll, and enrollment will not affect your fuel points or coupon discounts. Here are the instructions for getting started. We will also have a place for your to sign up at the Community Passover Seder at the Blasco Event Wing of UNLV Foundation Bldg. Bring your Smith's and Von's card numbers and we will do the signing up for you. OUR SMITH"S NPO NUMBER IS 61229.
TO USE THE SMITH’S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM: Register online at www.smithscommunityrewards.com · Customers must have a registered Smith’s rewards card account to link to your organization. · If you does not yet have a Smith’s rewards card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Smith’s. · Click on 'Create and Account' box · Sign up for a Smith’s Rewards Account entering your email address and creating a password, by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, agreeing to the terms and conditions. · A message will show up for you to check your email inbox and then click on the link within the body of the email. · Click on “My Account” and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step. · Click on Edit Smith’s Community Rewards information and input your Smith’s rewards card number. · Update or confirm your information. · Enter NPO number or name of organization, select organization from list and click on confirm. · To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page. · Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Smith’s rewards card number. · Members must swipe their registered Smith’s rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Smith’s rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.
TO USE THE VON'S ESCRIP PROGRAM Click on this link: https://secure.escrip.com/supporter/ registration/index.jsp Fill out the questionnaire. If you do not know your Von's Reward Card Number call: 1.877.723.3929 and they can assist you in retrieving that information.
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Nid’vei Leiv - Donations from the Heart Rabbi Discretionary Fund David Aris In honor of Sam Lieberman fro m Nancey Eason In blessed memory In honor of my husband Sidney Brandt from Ann Brandt In memory of Joseph Porath from Rabbi Yocheved Mintz In memory of Sara Porath Strombe from Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Days of Awe Donation Paula Deal In honor of Torah Study Nancey Eason Annie Wolff Nid’vei Lev Rick and Susan Bindhamer In honor of Annie Wolff from Nancey Eason In honor of Annie Wolff from Dale Gardner In honor of Sam Lieberman from David and Lynn Pisetzner Thank you to Rabbi Yocheved Mintz from David and Lynn Pisetzner Adele Ruger Carolynn Stewart Rozlyne Tessler In honor of Zelda Goldwater from Annie Wolff Refuah Shleimah For David Rose from Stanley and Sondra Rose
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NEW CLASS OFFERING BIBLICAL HEBREW taught by RABBI YOCHEVED MINTZ Knowledge of Hebrew Alphabet Required “GET BUSY WITH THE WORDS OF TORAH” Wednesday Nights 6:30 PM—8:00 PM 165.00 members 215.00 non members FIRST CLASS JANUARY 21, 2015
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January 2 January 3 January 5 January 5 January 6 January 11 January 12 January 12 January 16 January 17 January 21 January 25 January 26 January 26 January 27 January 28 January 28 January 29 February 2 February 2 February 3 February 3 February 4 February 4
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE: 6:30 PM Tot Shabbat, Kabbalat and Ma’ariv Service -Kraft Sussman Chapel 10:00 AM Torah Study-Par’shat Vayechi at the Home of Rabbi Mintz 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 6:30 PM Next Steps-Talmud with Training Wheels 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 3:30 PM Chai Mitzvah to be lead by Regent Sam Lieberman 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 6:30 PM Next Steps-Talmud with Training Wheels 7:30 PM Kabbalat and Ma’ariv Service -Kraft Sussman Chapel 10:00 AM Torah Study-Par’shat Vaera at the Home of Rabbi Mintz 6:30 PM “Get Busy with Words of Torah” aka Biblical Hebrew Course at the home of Rabbi Mintz Brunch with Brilliants—Jews of Africa 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 6:30 PM Next Steps-Talmud with Training Wheels 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 11:30 AM Ms. Holland’s Opus at Canyon Gate Country Club 6:30 PM “Get Busy with Words of Torah” aka Biblical Hebrew Course at the home of Rabbi Mintz 7:00 PM Congregation P’nai Tikvah Board Meeting 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 6:30 PM Next Steps-Talmud with Training Wheels Erev Tu B’shevat 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American Tu B’shevat 6:30 PM “Get Busy with Words of Torah” aka Biblical Hebrew Course at the home of Rabbi Mintz
Blessing for the Month of Tevet Tevet is an opportunity for transformation, but, in transformation, there is often challenge. As we attempt to meet life’s challenges, let us be tuned into opportunities; as we deal with life’s pain, let us discover life’s blessings. And let us remember that we are blessed with one another and with abiding divine love. Amein.
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