Kol Kiruv June 2018
Sivan - Tamuz
Vol. 27—No. 10
Happenings
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Congregation P’nai Tikvah will worship on
From Rabbi Mintz, Rabbi Emerita
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Shabbat, June 1st and 15th. Tot Shabbat,
The President’s Message, Sam Lieberman
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Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services will
A Message From Reb Jamie
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A Note From the Cantor
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What We’ve Been Up To
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Free Money
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Jewlicious Learners
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Yahrzeit, Nid’vei Lev and Celebrations
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celebrate an event or memorialize a loved
Congregation Meeting
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one, please call 702.436.4900 for sponsorship
Calendar at a Glance
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and catering opportunities.
begin at 6:30 PM on June 1st. On June 15th,
Shabbat-Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services will begin at 7:30PM. Torah Study will be on June 2nd and 16th at 9:30 AM at 2685 South Rainbow, Suite 108. If you are interested in sponsoring an oneg to
Message from Rabbi Emerita Yocheved Mintz Chevreh: It is the season of graduations; a time when pomp and circumstance fill the air and pride and joy fill the heart. It is also a time of immense hope and deep anxiety. David Brooks, the renowned columnist and author, in speaking to students at Davidson College (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=URSERvgLDGY), gave an outstanding lecture on the shift in cultures over the past century and noted that the advice tendered to graduates is often misleading, raises false hopes, and just as often met with disappointment. In his 90 minute speech he covered many topics, but ultimately offers the suggestion to graduates to do something totally outlandish…just to see how far they can stretch. The expectations parents have for their children and the doubt-filled angst of the graduate him/herself are often unspoken, but interwoven in the virtual fabric that envelopes the ceremony. And this year’s graduates (congratulations are, of course, in order) are going out into a particularly volatile culture. We are no longer in the communal all-for-one and one-for-all culture of the post-Depression, WWII, to mid-50’s, where institutions were strong, people tended to developed deep ties to their places of worship, and kids played freely in neighborhoods. That culture was idealized in the family-values sit-coms like “Leave it to Beaver,” “Happy Days”, and the “Cosby Show”. But that era’s culture morphed into the break-free from all the conformity, hippy, culture of the second part of the 20th century, and that segued into tribalist, populist culture with which we are now dealing, a culture that pits one against another, demonizes those with whom we disagree, and isolates. The challenge of isolation may be the biggest challenge that our graduates have to face. It is a huge challenge for our seniors, and, frankly for every demographic. The days of neighbors sitting out on the front porch, shooting the breeze with one another, quickly vanished when technology brought air-conditioning into our homes. As picket fences were replaced with concrete block walls, we became even more isolated. As true social interaction became supplanted by Facebook friendships, we spent less and less time speaking to one another and more time by ourselves or on virtual social interaction. And here we are… The culture is challenging, the geo-political atmosphere is challenging, and we cannot predict what the world will look like in the next twenty years…so how can we advise our graduates, our children, our grandchildren as to how to face the unpredictable future?! Well, seeing as 2
how we come from a people that has weathered millennia of change, unpredictability, and challenge, we can point to our Jewish heritage and say that our traditions and teachings have stood up to the test of time pretty well. And, certainly, we can point to the sense of belonging we feel when we gather together for services, knowing that those interactions definitely alleviate loneliness, at least for the times we are together. To our young graduates, I say “Mazal Tov”…congratulations on achieving the foundation of your education. As you go out into the ever-changing world, take David Brooks’ suggestion… do something outlandish, stretch beyond your comfort zone. (You may be amazed at what you will experience.) But remember that humans are social animals, we need community. Build into your life true (as opposed to virtual) friendships. Make time at least twice a month to gather in community (like coming to shul, as an example). Exercise your body, of course, and build up your heart and soul muscles. Your careers are important, but you will probably find your commitment to family, friends, and community the most gratifying endeavors of your life. L’Shalom,
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Rabbi Emerita, Senior Educator
From the President… Dear Friends, We invite you and your family to participate in our annual membership meeting to be held on June 3 at 11am at Nevada PEP, 7211 West Charleston. We will be discussing ways of working together to move the congregation forward in 2018 and beyond.
This is when vital discussions happen and we need your input greatly. Each family unit is entitled to one vote and a full agenda will be sent to you prior to the meeting. If you cannot attend, we will be sending out proxy forms soon, so you are able to register your opinions and votes. If you have any questions about this process or ideas about the future of our congregational family, please call me at anytime at 702-286-0739.
Sam Lieberman 3
Message from Reb Jamie As part of my rabbinic training I am learning to deepen my daily prayer practice. My initial motivation was the graduation requirement to be fluent and facile in our understanding of the services and to be comfortable in leading them. As I grow in my understanding of the components of prayer, I see that the service takes one on a journey. Most often these days, from the time I rise, make my way to BART and stand on the platform waiting for the train, I internally engage in Shacharit, the morning service. My morning begins with gratitude that I awoke; awareness that each day is full of potential and thus one has the responsibility to do good in the world; and acknowledgement that there is a power that nurtures and directs all things (some would say God).
Initially I was wary of embarking on this prayer journey. After all, I am a rational woman with my feet grounded in science. How could I find meaning in this mandatory endeavor? As I have become more familiar with the words on the page, as the Hebrew has morphed from just sounds which I struggled to enunciate, to words with meaning, I have begun to recognize the signposts of the prayer journey. The path through the service has become comforting and profound. Much to my surprise, the words and the concepts have begun to resonate... bein yom oovein laila (who gives the heart understanding to distinguish day from night…Shema (Listen Israel, everything is One)...v’natati esev b’sadcha (the rain will fall, or it won’t because our actions have consequences)... honen deah (You grace humanity with knowledge and teach mortals understanding). The service has come alive for me in ways unexpected, meaningful in a profoundly personal way. In the morning service on many days we recite a section entitled “Tahanun,” supplications. Until now I generally have dismissed this section as just another thing to get through… but the translation “supplications/pleadings” does a disservice to the immediacy of the endeavor. Behind this lofty language is the opportunity to express what we personally need in our lives now. For example, it may sound trite, and I acknowledge that this is “a first world problem,” but my morning commute gives me a lot of stress. Every day from the moment I open my eyes to the time I board the train, I worry I won’t find a parking place and I won’t get a seat. Today, after these thoughts ran through my mind, happily and surprisingly, I found an open spot on the street as close as possible. And as I stood this morning on the BART platform, thinking “please may I get a seat for the hour journey into SF,” I realized that I was actually pleading to the powers that be for something that I needed in the moment. Tahanun came alive for me. As I grow in my comfort with personal prayer and my skills at leading community services, both are profoundly meaningful to me and I feel blessed to share this journey with you. (And yes, I did get a seat on the train this morning!). May we grow from strength to strength,
Reb Jamie 4
A Note From Cantor Marla Goldberg When I was an undergrad at Western Washington University studying music, I took part in the opera program there. In my Junior year, I was cast as the female comic lead in the opera “Robinson Crusoe” an Opera Comique by Jacques Offenbach. It was one of his lesser known operas. He is most known for “The Tales of Hoffman” and “Orpheus in the Underworld”. “Robinson Crusoe” was based on various stories told of the character, more than what were written about in the Defoe book, and introduces us to his family. My character in the opera was Suzanne, the maid. It was a wonderful comic part, unusual as it was written for a lyric soprano instead of a mezzo. The lead female role was for a coloratura.
I know, what does this have to do with Jewish music? Well, let’s leap forward many years to when I was studying to become a cantor. One of the beautiful pieces of music my class was given to learn is M’chalkel Chayim. The words are from the second prayer of the Amida, the G’vurot. The paragraph talks of how God cares for us, and how great God is. The music is written by Hazzan Isaac Offenbach, the father of Jacques. Isaac Eberst was born in the German town of Offenbach. Originally a bookbinder, Isaac was wonderful musician, composer, and hazzan who spent many years traveling as a ‘wandering’ hazzan to many synagogues. He took surname of Offenbach because he was known as the “Offenbacher”. He finally settled in Cologne as a Cantor and music teacher where he raised his family. He has nine children, the seventh child was Jacob, who became Jacques. He wrote many compositions, some secular, but mostly cantorial, and published a haggadah with German translations. He also played and taught the violin. Isaac Offenbach’s music has been used to show the great Ashkenazic hazzanut style that paved the way for many cantors of the “Great Age of Cantors”. Oh, yes, and during this all he trained his son, Jacob, in music. It is has always been interesting to me to know how many famous composers came from a Jewish background, with a cantor for a father or grandfather. Singing the part of Suzanne in “Robinson Crusoe”, I didn’t then know the connection Jacques had with Jewish music. In finding the music of his father, my connection to that opera I sang in so many years ago makes it that much more meaningful to me.
Now, on a completely different note, the High Holyday choir is will be starting up rehearsals at the end of July. If you like to sing, and want to help with making our Holy Days meaningful, please contact Ellen Royer or me for more information. A love of singing and a willingness to learn glorious music is all that is required. L’Shalom,
Cantor Marla Goldberg 5
What We’ve Been Up To... We Walked Against Hate with the ADL April 29, 2018 Rabbi Yocheved Mintz, Shayna Davis, David Silverman, Danica Lockett, Kristen Jaeger, Ruth Markind, & Faith Silverman
Candidate Accountability Action Sponsored by: Nevadans for the Common Good May 8, 2018 Sam Lieberman, Laurie Lytel, Ruth Markind, Rabbi Yocheved Mintz,, Faith Silverman & Anne Ullman got to hear gubernatorial candidates’ views on Education, Transportation, Housing and other important issues.
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FREE MONEY
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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 * 7
KIDZ KORNER for June
Our Jewlicious Learners harvesting loquats and strawberries! Sydney Knepper, Meyer DeLee, MayLee DeLee, David Piekarsky, Danica Lockett 8
FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE Isidor Baum -Remembered by Marion Baum
Anna Rosin -Remembered by Maxine Blechman
Estelle Benstock -Edward Benstock
Joseph Sokole -Rememberd by Dale Gardner
John Billingsley -Remembered by Lynda French
Yetta Tessler -Remembered by Harriet Bernstein & Roz Tessler
Florian Eidelman -Remembered by Debbie Wilreker Harry Gamerman -Remembered by Iris Katz Elaine Greenwald -Remembered by Marti Jenkins
Ann Web -Remembered by Barbara Holland Sarah White -Remembered by Ann Mandell
Betty Sue Hall -Remembered by Rick Bindhamer Joseph Hewel -Remembered by Jacqueline Ackerman Irmagene Lockett -Remembered by Tim Lockett Sam Margolis -Remembered by Zelda Goldwater Joseph Markind -Remembered by Ruth Markind Dr. Alan Mintz -Remembered by Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Maxamillion Mintz -Remembered by Maxine Blechman
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 9
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Susan & Marc Dubin
June 5
Faith & David Silverman
June 10
Cindy & Marc Fox
June 12
Meera & Minao Kamegai
June 22
Marc Fox Lynn Pisetzner Emma Deal Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Marion Baum Robert Blechman Susan Bindhamer Michael Nussbaum Shayna Davis David Piekarsky
June 1 June 5 June 8 June 10 June 11 June 16 June 17 June 18 June 27 June 27
JUNE ANNIVERSARIES
Harriet Bernstein– yahrzeit for David Bernstein
Nid’vei Lev
Ann Brandt in memory of Lee Burger Shlepsky
Donations from the Heart
Anita Lewy in honor of Phyllis Zuckerman’s birthday Ann Mandell Roz Tessler
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Congregational Meeting June 3, 2018 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Nevada
Don’t Miss This Very Important PEP Meeting!
7211 W Charleston
* Come prepared with ideas * Refreshments by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be provided! RSVP to Sam @ 702-286-0739 or regentsamlieberman@gmail.com
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 Rabbi Emerita: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Rabbinic Intern: Jamie Hyams Cantor: Cantor Marla Goldberg Educators: Rabbi Mintz and Cantor Goldberg Teacher’s Aide: Austin Royer Bookkeeper: Lynn Pisetzner Treasurer: Lynn Pisetzner Editor: Faith Silverman
702.436.4900 www.pnaitikvahlv.org info@pnaitikvahlv.org
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 meaningful Jewish life.
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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE: June 1
6:30 PM
Tot Shabbat
7:30 PM
Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Service
June 2
9:30 AM
Torah Study
June 3
11:00 AM
Congregational Meeting
June 15
7:30 PM
Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Service
June 16
9:30 AM
Torah Study
July 6
TBD
Shabbat Across the Valley
July 13
TBD
Shabbat Across the Valley
July 20
TBD
Shabbat Across the Valley
July 27
TBD
Shabbat Across the Valley
Sept 9
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sept 10
Rosh Hashanah
Sept 18
Erev Yom Kippur
Sept 19
Yom Kippur
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.
Blessing for Tammuz With half of June in the month of Sivan and half in the month of Tammuz, may we be blessed with the ability to reach deep within and search for the inner strength and discernment to focus and stay focused and connected on the spiritual path. Amen. 12