—
Happenings
1
Rabbi Pam’s Message
2-4
Rabbi Mintz’s Message
5-7
Cantor’s Notes
8
President’s Message
9-10
High Holiday Calendar
11
Ritual Committee
12
A New Moon for All
13
Tikkun Olam
14-15
Kidz Corner
16
Jewlicious Learning and Yad Squad, Children's Happening
17-19
Adult Education
20
Oneg Shabbat
21
Birthday’s and Anniversaries
22
Yahrzeits
23
Kever Dorot
24
Community Happenings
25
Year of Dialogue
26
Nid’vei Leiv—From the Heart
27
Calendar at a Glance
28
Clergy and Staff Interim Rabbi: Rabbi Pamela Frydman Rabbi Emerita: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Cantor: Marla Goldberg Educators: Rabbi Yocheved Mintz and Cantor Marla Goldberg Bookkeeper: Lynn Pisetzner
702.436.4900 www.facebook.com/pnaitikvahlv www.twitter.com/pnaitikvahlv
Congregation P’nai Tikvah will worship on Shabbat, September 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 September 2nd and Shabbat-Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services will begin at 7:30 PM on September 16th. Torah Study will take place at 9:30 AM on September 3rd and 17th. Please RSVP by emailing info@pnaitikvahlv.org. Congregation P’nai Tikvah meets at 2685 South Rainbow Street, STE 108, Las Vegas, NV 89146 $ :
Message from Interim Rabbi
Divinity, High Holy Days, and the Cycle of the Jewish Year By Rabbi Pam Frydman1 The G-o-d who makes everything right and gets everything right is the G-o-d of kindergarten. (Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz) In kindergarten, if we wash our hands, we get snack and if we behave, we get to play at recess. In the adult world, bad things happen to good people and there is an endless litany of what is wrong with the world. In addition to the litany being endless, each religious, ethnic, political, humanitarian, and scientific community has a different understanding of what is or is not right. Wars are fought over these different understandings and different levels of intolerance. For me, the question is what does it mean to love G-o-d whom I have never seen and will never see because there is no form or substance to the creative force that turns our sandwich into blood and bones. What does it mean to run a business or offer professional services based on sound principles and then sit in services and pray to a G-o-d who is all controlling? For me, that just does not jive. The reason there are so many words and songs in our service is because there are no words to describe what we know to be true, so we keep pointing at it and we use different words and melodies to speak to different aspects of ourselves and everyone else in attendance. On the other hand, Judaism has many rules, but every rule can be broken depending on the circumstance. For example, we are supposed to fast on Yom Kippur. In fact, the “fast,� involves giving up a myriad of pleasures, such as food, drink, sexual relations, bathing (except washing hands after using the bathroom or after feeding our kids and the infirm), anointing (i.e. no deodorant, perfume, aftershave, makeup, etc., etc.), shaving, wearing animal products (i.e. no leather shoes, belts, purses, etc.), running errands, spending money. It is a long list. However, when a pregnant woman goes into labor, all those prohibitions go out the window; a person may do any and all of those things to assistant a woman in labor. The same goes for helping any person who is seriously injured or ill. In addition to these extreme cases, the sages forbid a person from fasting on Yom Kippur if doing so would put the person’s life in danger or put an unborn or nursing child in danger. It is a mitzvah for a pregnant or nursing mother to eat and drink on Yom Kippur. It is also a mitzvah for people with certain health conditions to eat and drink on Yom Kippur. It is not just that eating and drinking are allowed for such people. Rather, the very act of doing so in moderation without flaunting is considered a mitzvah on the level of fasting. continued on page 3
2
continued from page 2
Another example is idol worship. The Torah forbids us from praying to a god other than G-o-d. We are also forbidden from creating idols or worshipping them. These are two of the top ten mitzvot, known as the Ten Commandments. Yet, even though idol making and idol worship are grave sins, it is not a problem if the pursuer of idols is a peacemaker. This is explained in the ancient commentary called Genesis Rabbah: Great is peace! For even if the Israelites worshipped the stars, should peace reign among them, G-o-d would say, “I cannot rule over them since peace reigns among them.” As it is written: “Ephraim is fused bones. Let him be.” But when they are at odds, what does G-o-d say? “Their heart is contentious. Now they shall be found guilty.” Learn, therefore, that peace is great and strife is hateful. (Genesis Rabbah 38:6) [The above quotes “Ephraim is fused bones…” and “Their heart is contentious…” are in the Bible and are attributed to the Prophet Hosea (10:2).] These realities allow us to step beyond rigidity and enter flexigidity, a term coined by Gidi Grinstein to describe the fact that knowing the rules isn’t enough; we need to know how to play by the rules in order to fulfill our own unique purpose in life and help make the world a better place. According to the above teachings, you are already living exactly as you need to and want to, and that is perfectly acceptable so long as you get along with everyone and you don’t try to control anyone or stop anyone from being who they are, and so long as you also help make the world a better place. The purpose of the high holy days is to get back to doing and being exactly that. Rosh HaShanah is the time to make a “You Turn” back to being more of who you really are, and not more of whom someone else thinks you should be. Yom Kippur is the time to seal the deal. It you get to Yom Kippur and you are still turning toward who you want to be for the New Year, that is o.k. Judaism gives you a reprieve until the end of Sukkot. If you are still not finished making your “you turn” to be more like you really are, then you can have another reprieve until Hanukah. I did not make that up; the sages did.
continued on page 4
3
continued from page 3
Moreover, if you are not finished by Hanukah, you can use the model found in the weekday prayer books of the Conservative, Orthodox, and Ultra Orthodox Movements that includes the chorus of Avinu Malkeynu every single ordinary weekday as part of Tachanun. (As you may know, Tachanun is a set of prayers recited twice daily to ask G-o-d to forgive us for our shortcomings and help us get back on the right track.) We are blessed to be part of a faith that has a gazillion rules – 613 is just the number in the written Torah – but those rules can be broken, adjusted or set aside for the moment if and when there is a legitimate emergency or when we are peacemakers and we are not seeking to control others. I can’t wait to see you at services or Torah Study or adult education or whenever we next meet or whenever we meet for the first time. Shalom and best wishes,
Rabbi Pam
A New Moon for All The Month of Love - Rosh Chodesh Elul. Bring yourself or bring your, spouse, partner, significant other or lover, and learn how LOVE helps us prepare for high holy days. With Rabbi Pam. Sat, Sept 3 at 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, as part of the Rosh Chodesh program at Indigo Valley Community Center, 2685 South Rainbow, Suite108,Las Vegas, ,NV 89146 RSVP to702.436.4900 or info@pnaitikvahlv.org Teachings for Yom Kippur YOM KIPPUR; Who needs forgiveness and why can't I have a good meal? With Rabbi Pam on Sunday September 18 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Keep checking the CPT for the location and other course offerings! RSVP to702.436.4900 or info@pnaitikvahlv.org
1
Rabbi Pam is serving as CPT’s Interim Rabbi. Links to some of her sermons appear side by side with links to some of Rabbi Mintz’s sermons on the CPT website at http://pnaitikvahlv.org. Rabbi Pam’s brief bio is available at https://rebpam.com/ bio/. 4
Message from the Rabbi Emerita “When My Soul Was in the Lost-and-Found” Dear Chevreh: As frequently happens, a song noodles itself into my consciousness and stays around until I pay attention to it. Last month I had such an experience with the classic “Natural Woman”,1 when, lo and behold, I was attending a seminar in Los Angeles and one of my favorite teacher-friend-mentors, Rabbi Dr. Mimi Feigleson delivered a workshop entitled “When My Soul Was in the Lost-and-Found,” and, of course, the lyrics of that song began to take on a whole different meaning. So, this month, allow me to share some thoughts on how this song intersects with a spiritual reading of the Mishnah in Bava Metzia 2a, and really applies to each of us as we enter the month of introspection working up to Rosh HaShanah. First (‘cause I really can’t get the song out of my head), let’s take a look at the lyrics: Looking out on the morning rain I used to feel uninspired And when I knew I had to face another day Lord, it made me feel so tired Before the day I met you, life was so unkind But your love was the key to peace of mind ‘Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, You make me feel like a natural woman When my soul was in the lost-and-found You came along to claim it I didn't know just what was wrong with me Till your kiss helped me name it Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for And if I make you happy I don't need to do more ‘Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, You make me feel like a natural woman Oh, baby, what you've done to me You make me feel so good inside And I just want to be close to you You make me feel so alive ‘Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, You make me feel like a natural woman 1
Lyrics and music by Carole King, Gerald Wexler, Gerry Goffin, and Jerry Wexler. Sung by Aretha Franklin, among others continued on page 6
5
continued from page 5
“Now, I’ve often shared with you how spiritual I believe Carole King is. I often think that she’s talking about G-d when she wrote, “I feel the earth move under my feet….” So, it wasn’t a stretch for me to begin to see where G-d could be found in the lyrics swirling in my head.) So here we are, entering the month of ELUL, the “Ani L’Dodi v’Dodi Li”/I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine month2, the month when it is traditionally felt that G-d, the Melech Mal’chei HaM’lachim/the King of Kings of Kings, is most easily accessible. We can meet up with the Holy One right out in the field---no appointments in the palace necessary! We’re at the time of the year where we’re actively searching…perhaps not even knowing what it is we’re seeking, but knowing that there’s a spiritual void that tugs at us as we approach the New Year. We may not even know what we’ve lost, but we’re searching for something….something important. Who better than G-d is there to identify the lost parts of our souls? Who better than G-d is there to hold on to those lost parts until we’re ready to claim them? And if G-d is able to find those lost parts of our soul, and we are created “b’tzelem Elohim/in G-d’s image,” how much moreso is it incumbent upon us to do the same for those we love! The Talmud has a sugiyah (conversation about an issue) referred to as “yei-ush b’li daat”/ items lost that we don’t even realize are missing. The whole discussion is prompted by a passage in Devarim/Deuteronomy, Chapter 22:1-4: 1. Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep driven away, and hide thyself from them; thou shalt surely bring them back to thy brother 2. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, and thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it home to thy house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother require it, and thou shalt restore it to him. 3. And so shalt thou do with his donkey; and so shalt thou do with his garment; and so shalt thou do with every lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, thou mayest not hide thyself. 4. Thou shalt not see thy brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide thyself from them; thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
2
The Hebrew initials of Aleph, Lamed, Vov, Lamed are the initials of this continued on page 7
6
continued from page 6
Now we could look at the sugiyah in Bava Metzia (mishnayot 1 through13 of Chapter 2) simply on the “p’shat” level, and that might think we’re literally talking about our biological sibling’s beast of burden and our responsibility to retrieve it and keep it in good condition until our brother is ready to get it back; but any of you who is a regular at Torah Study is ready to go much deeper. Asking ourselves who do they mean by “brother”? For what are the ass, ox, sheep, etc. metaphors? What kind of moral fortitude does it take to vouchsafe lost items until the one who has lost them is emotionally ready to reclaim them? If we read this sugiyah through spiritual lenses, we will find ourselves delving into such Chassidic masters as “The Meor Aynayim,” Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav, and the Piasetzna Rebbe, and, yes, even into Carole King’s lyrics. As Reb Mimi says: “Thank you Aretha Franklin/Carole King for singing our truth, and coining our feeling so many days of the year.” If G-d can identify the lost parts of our soul and protect them ‘til we are ready to reclaim them, then for whom are you able to do that? L’Shalom,
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Rabbi Emerita/Senior Educator
Hi Ho Challah Baking SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 1:00 PM to 4:00PM Home of Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Come bake the challah for High Holidays. Put a crown on it! RSVP’s a must! 702.436.4900
7
Cantor’s Notes A Note From the Cantor The month of Elul is here again. The month that leads into the High Holy Days is customarily used for looking inward and getting ready for asking forgiveness. This month is also considered to be connected to the “Song of Songs” as sages have said that the Hebrew letters in the word, Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed, are an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li” (“I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.”) Like on Shabbat, “Beloved” is G-d and “Me (or mine)” is the Children of Israel. This shows our close relationship and love with G-d. Having to do with the “Song of Songs” is only one reason why the month of Elul has meaning for me as a Cantor. The musical aspects of this month are great. I spend my time during Elul focusing on the music I will sing with our wonderful choir during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, working on adding to increase the spirituality in my singing. This is so important to me as a service leader. I always love to use my musical ability to help myself, and others have a great spiritual experience during prayers. The melodies I sing during the High Holy Days bring me up so much higher, and I hope my music bring you up as well. Elul helps me prepare, so I can help others pray. During Elul the shofar is blown everyday, except Shabbat and the day before Rosh Hashanah, to wake us up and get into the Holy Day mood. According to Rambam the custom of blowing the shofar is to give us a wake-up call and have us rise up from complacency. The many blasts of the shofar tells us to, “stop, reflect, and think of how we can make things better.” Working to improve ourselves is never easy, but I hope that as I go through the days of Elul I will increase the beauty and the spiritualness of the music I sing, so our New Year will be a one of blessing. L’Shalom
Cantor Marla Goldberg 8
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I wish the CPT membership could be sitting down with me each evening as I go through my emails with our leadership team! The pure energy…the pure excitement…the pure joy…from Iris Katz and Cindy Fox leading the Ritual and Education Committee, along with Rabbi Pam and Rabbi Mintz with so many volunteer members working these committees to Meera Kamegai revving up her engines for a fantastic THIRD, YES THIRD year with “Brunch with Brilliants.” Not only will we be offering our traditional children and adult classes featuring our own Rabbi Mintz, (Rabbi Emerita, Senior Educator), like Jewlicious Learning, the Yad Squad (for teens), “Jewish, Alive & American,” Biblical Hebrew, “Talmud on Training Wheels” (you would think you were reading anti-trust cases of the 21st century!), or “Ivdu et HaShem B’Simcha: Jewish Liturgy as a Spiritual System,” but also what I call, the “Mini-Series with Rabbi Pam.” New and different, that one hour plus discussion including such topics (get this and thanks Larry Bernstein) …”Fish Head on a Plate? It’s a Rosh HaShanah Tradition and I Got a Lot More Where That Comes From”…or Yom Kippur: Who Needs Forgiveness and Why Can’t I Have a Good Meal?” Behind the scenes, Stephanie Paykel and Lynn Pisetzner, organizing our new storage facility on W. Sahara in cool comfortable 110 degree temperatures! Then heading to our new facility at the Indigo Valley Community Center to organize our storage room…thanks ladies for a not so exciting but needed task! Many thanks to the search committee, Sam Lieberman, Cindy Fox, Dale Garner, Jackie Ackerman, Lynn Pisetzner, Jane Kusel for the hours and the hours and the days and more days they all committed of their time to find the right Rabbi to continue to lead our Jewish Journey. Ask Choir leader, Ellen Royer, AND Cantor Goldberg just how excited they are to be able to use the key board at Indigo Valley and work with our CPT SINGERS…we need a name for this group…ANY SUGGESTIONS???? And thanks to Rabbi Mintz, we’ll have our annual Challah Bake-a-thon, Sunday afternoon, September 11th again. If you haven’t signed up yet, please check with Rabbi Mintz to see if there’s room yet. These fabulous challot are used at our High Holidays, and, of course everyone of the bakers gets to taste one of the challot hot from the oven. Yum!
continued on page 10
9
continued from page 9
You want more??...well we got the sizzle…plans all ready in place for our Jewish Holiday from the High Holidays, around the corner and thank Roz Tessler for rounding up our members who have volunteered for the many honors for the High Holidays. AND if you don’t know, we have the special High Holiday Event for Children…Yes…your children and those children of your friends will have a High Holiday Happening of their own this year! On September 25, from 2 to 3:30, we will have the most amazing taste of the Days of Awe designed especially for children, 5th grade and under. Iris Katz and the Education committee have been hard at work, and did you know, part of the funding of this program came from our very first grant, thanks to our grant writers…who have submitted 3 more grants for this coming year. Hats off to Cindy Fox, Dave Clark, Iris Katz, Annie Wolff, Nicky Watts for providing provocative and innovative ideas and wonderful programs that were submitted to the Jewish Federation for consideration. Get your bowling balls ready, start practicing as we have our Second Annual Chanukah bowl-a-thon! Thanks to Marc Fox and Stephanie Paykel we all had a wonderful time- this is a complete adult and family event! Yet more, you say?? We are cooking! Our third annual ROAST and thanks to Sam Lieberman for sweet talking Shelly Berkley to be on the hot seat for one of our major fund raisers… If you are feeling left out? Don’t be… we have room for you! You want to be part of the action??? We need 3 people to be part of our telephone squad to remind our members of our coming events. We need four people who will alternate being our greeters to our Shabbat Services. We need a couple of strong men (sorry ladies) to help do some lifting at the end of our Shabbat services to help place the Torahot back into our storage room. But we’re equal opportunity when it comes to the caterers and sponsors we need for our On’gei Shabbat. We need members to invite their friends to our services. Let them see, feel the difference…the spirit…the warmth of our Congregation. This is their time to join our family! This is our year! This is our time! Watch out world, CPT is here to MAKE A BIG STATEMENT! BE PART OF THE ACTION… Happy ELUL!
Barbara Holland President of the Board
10
11
News From The Ritual Committee The Ritual Committee would like to thank Rabbi Yocheved Mintz, our Rabbi Emerita and Senior Educator for her generous donation of twenty-eight Jewish Publication Society Tanakhim to the Torah Study group. The Torah Study group meets at 2685 South Rainbow Street, STE 108, Las Vegas, NV 89146 on the first and third Saturdays of the month which follow our Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services. All are welcome to attend. You may bring your own Bible, beverages and breakfast. A vegetarian or dairy breakfast is suggested. Donations are welcome. Please RSVP to 702-436-4900 or info@pnaitikvahlv.org. The upcoming dates for Torah Study are: September 3rd Parashat Re’eh September 17th Parashat Ki Teitzei October 8th Parashat Vayeilech October 22nd Parashat Chol haMo'ed Sukkot November 5th Parashat No’ach November 19th Parashat Vayera December 3rd Parashat Toledot December 17th Parashat Vayishlah
12
A New Moon for All
The Month of Love - Rosh Chodesh Elul. Bring yourself or bring your, spouse, partner, significant other or lover, and learn how LOVE helps us prepare for high holy days. With Rabbi Pam. Sat, Sept 3, as part of the Rosh Chodesh program at Indigo Valley Community Center, 2685 South Rainbow Blvd, Suite 108, Las Vegas, NV 89146 RSVP required (702) 436-4900 or email info@pnaitikvahlv.org Elul
September 3 7:30 –9:30 PM
“The Month of Love” at Indigo Valley Campus
Cheshvan
November 5 4PM– 8PM
Spring Mountain Ranch
Kislev
December 4
Kol Isha III Concert 3-4:30 PM
Tevet
January 8
TBD
Sh’vat
January 29
TBD
Adar
February 26
TBD
Nisan
April 2
TBD
Iyyar
April 30
TBD
Sivan
May 28
TBD
13
Nevadans for the Common Good develops its agenda of issues through a disciplined strategy of community conversations and research actions. Some of our areas of interMEDICAID PRIVATIZATION
The State of Nevada is evaluating a move of services under Medicaid for the elderly, blind, and disabled from state management to a private managed care system. NCG is concerned that this move will have negative impacts on services for these populations. NCG: Has called for transparency and input from all stakeholders, particularly program recipients and service providers, throughout the process.
Has met with Richard Whitley, Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, to discuss program options.
Has participated in Town Meeting/Listening Sessions scheduled by HHS on this issue.
Will continue to be involved to advocate for a transparent process and a plan that
ELDER CARE-Many seniors who come to Las Vegas to retire eventually face isolation and hardship. The suicide rate among elderly in Nevada is twice the national average. The public infrastructure for health care, transportation and other vital services remains a work in progress. Nevadans for the Common Good is working with community and governmental partners to address these issues. In 2015, we worked with AARP and other community groups to secure passage of the CARE Act to recognize and assist family caregivers in Nevada and to improve communication during the hospital discharge process. Nevadans for the Common Good also worked to expand the Home and Community-Based Waiver program so that an additional 173 low-income seniors can continue living in the community and avoid institucontinued on page 15
14
continued from page 14
EDUCATION-The Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Nevada 50th in the nation in education. Class sizes in the Clark County School District are the highest in the nation at 35 students per class. But, there are also many examples of dedicated teachers, principals and parents who are making a difference in schools across the Las Vegas Valley. Nevadans for the Common Good is committed to working with all partners to devise and implement effective strategies for improving public education. Last year, we traveled to Carson City to successfully advocate for $500 million in new funding for targeted programs to improve our public education system. Additionally, we’ve accepted the nomination to sit on the SAGE Commission established by Governor Sandoval to track waste and inefficiency in Nevada’s education system. We are also working with community partners to address Nevada's teacher shortage crisis. IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION-Immigrants from around the world have moved to Las Vegas to pursue their dreams. Many have been able to find opportunity and thrive. But, more work needs to be done to integrate immigrants into the community. The graduation rate for English Language Learners is below 25%. Unscrupulous swindlers trick and defraud immigrants as they attempt to navigate the immigration system. Nevadans for the Common Good is training leaders in immigrant communities to confront these challenges. CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING-Las Vegas is an international hub for the trafficking of children for sex. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department recovers over a hundred children from the sex trade every year. In recent years, 60-70% of these children have been from Nevada. Nevadans for the Common Good has worked alongside state lawmakers to pass groundbreaking legislation addressing this problem. We also worked with County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani to post the national sex trafficking hotline number at McCarran Airport and on bus shelters across the Las Vegas Valley.
If you are interested in any of these local issues, please contact Annie Wolff for more information on how to be involved. Contact 702.436.4900 for more information.
15
KIDZ KORNER for September
Easy Honey Cake Ingredients (serves 6)
100g butter, softened
2 tbsp caster sugar
4 tbsp clear honey
2 eggs, beaten
175g self raising flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon, ground
1 tbsp water
Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190'C/375'F/Gas mark 5 2. Lightly grease a baking tray or 20cm/8 inch cake tin 3. In a bowl, beat together all the ingredients until well mixed and of a soft consistency 4. Spoon into the baking tray/cake tin and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until well risen and springy to the touch 5. Cut into slices to serve, either on its own or with a little single cream poured on top
16
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 4:15 to 6:00 on Tuesday afternoons 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. Thanks to a one-time grant, we can keep our costs down this year to $275 per participant. Please register a.s.a.p.: Our first session meets on Tuesday, August 30. Experiential Educational Program in Preparation for the Jewish Holidays: LISTEN, PLAY, CREATE, TASTE, UNDERSTAND, PRAY, SING, PLAN, BLESS AND BE BLESSED Innovative Holiday Programs include Congregation P'nai Tikvah "NEW! Children's High Holiday Happening." This project is funded through a grant from The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.
With additional support provided by
continued on page 18 17
continued from page 17
"NEW! Children's High Holiday Happening" In preparation for the holidays, here is an extra special program open to the public about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for families with children in grades K-5. All are welcome! Join us for Congregation P’nai Tikvah's "NEW! Children's High Holiday Happening" on Sunday, September 25 from 2 to 3:30pm at the Adelson Educational Campus, 9700 Hillpointe Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89134. Reservations are required by calling (702) 436-4900 or registering through the synagogue's website at pnaitikvahlv.org. This free, child-oriented program is open to the entire community. (Of course any donations are welcome and help the community subsidize the costs and expand these efforts!) Activities provide a warm, comfortable entry point for the unaffiliated as well as for interfaith families to learn about the Days of Awe together. Learn together with your family about the high holidays in a welcoming, experiential and innovative environment. Our host of eager and experienced educators along with talented volunteers, are providing their time to enrich and inspire elementary-age (K-5th grade) minds and their families! This free Children’s High Holiday Happening will feature 10 stations – each representing aspects of Jewish tradition sure to inspire the minds of our community’s youngest members. Each section will operate simultaneously, allowing for small groups of children and their families to better connect with our presenters and each other. All activities are designed to stimulate your children’s minds while engaging them in hands-on activities. The children and their families will have the opportunity to: 1) Listen: A dynamic storytelling presentation with experienced storyteller; 2) Play: Shofar blowing with toy shofarim; 3) Create: Craft station where each child can inscribe their own New Year’s card; 4) Taste: L’shanah tovah (happy new year) station with apples and honey, grape juice and chal-lah; 5) Understand: A Book of Life presentation detailing the concept in child-friendly communication; 6) Pray: Prayer station where children learn how to daven (pray) in simple, meaningful language; 7) Sing: Be a Rosh HaShanah Rock Star and learn a new song and play the boomwhackers! 8) Plan: A how-to station for making New Year’s resolutions; 9) Bless: Holiday performance by congregation’s acclaimed professional actor; 10) Be Blessed: Rabbi and children appreciating life’s simchas (joys) under tallit (prayer shawl).
18
19
Adult Education Course Offerings
Talmud with Training Wheels: Intro to Talmud Ten classes starting in the Fall Cost: $165.00 for members $215.00 for non-members 6 participants to start a session Call the office: 702-436-4900
BIBLICAL HEBREW I, II III and IV taught by RABBI YOCHEVED MINTZ knowledge of Hebrew Alphabet required Hebrew III and above, teacher approval required Six Student Minimum to Start “GET BUSY WITH THE WORDS OF TORAH”
Monday Evenings 7:00 PM—8:30 PM 10 class session $165.00 members $215.00 non members IVDU ET HaSHEM B’SIMCHA Jewish Liturgy as a Spiritual System Come on a journey of joy as we discover what Jewish Liturgy has to offer us today as a Spiritual System. Understand the framework of Jewish liturgy and the why’s and how to’s of “davenning”/praying 10-class sessions 165.00 for members 215.00 for non members minimum of six students to begin Contact 702.436.4900 for more information 20
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR CPT COMMUNITY GROWING OPPORTUNITIES Our first and third Friday evening services create space for people to socialize, to talk over the ideas , and to meet one another. Sponsoring and/or catering the Oneg Shabbat is a lovely way to share joy of Shabbat with the community. Making the Challah is another way to bond with Community as well as assisting in the setting upi and tearing down for services. Any reason is a good reason to volunteer for a communal duty. Perhaps you are marking a special event (a birth, baby-naming, engagement, wedding, anniversary, graduation, bar/bat mitzvah) or you want to remember a loved one in a special way, or celebrate a return to health, a new job‌or any reason. Sponsor
Cater
Challah
Set Up & Tear Down
September 2 September 16 October 21 November 4 November 18 December 2 December 16 January 6 January 20 February 3 February 17 March 3 March 17 April 7 April 21 Sponsored by Harriet Bernstein May 5
and Roz Tessler in memory of Jerry Bernstein
May 19 June 2 June 16 21
September Birthdays Danny Royer David Clark Ethan Deal David Silverman Jackie Ackerman Benjamin Wilreker David Yavitz Andy Holland Joel Katz Grant Seaman Anne Ullman Miriam Seaman Emma Kraft
4-Sep 5-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 11-Sep 15-Sep 16-Sep 20-Sep 20-Sep 23-Sep 25-Sep 27-Sep 30-Sep
Michael Nussbaum and Lorraine Brown Evelyn and Ken Clark
20-Sep 28-Sep
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.
22
For the Month of September Abraham Ancman -Remembered by the Ancman Family Jeffrey Bernstein -Remembered by Harriet Bernstein Gabriel Eugene Blechman and Bell Berland Mogliner -Remembered by Maxine Blechman Evelyn Judd -Remembered by Marlene Marcus Irving Malerman Remembered by Cindy Fox Tillie Rauch -Remembered by Gloria Granat Rabbi Richard Schachet -Remembered by CPT Congregation
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
23
24
COMMUNITY RESOURCES 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 short-term, 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 Jewish Federation at 702-732-0556.
The men of the VMH (Vegas Moishe House) are beyond excited to bring a global nonprofit organization to sin city, and we hope you are too. The VMH is home to four outgoing gentlemen who love Judaism as much as we love to have fun. With a healthy mix between community service, Jewish learning, Jewish culture, and social activity, the VMH is excited to build a strong community of young Jewish adults in greater Las Vegas area. By collaborating with other similar organizations in the city, like the Jewish Emerging Leaders of the Jewish Federation (JewEL) and the Israeli American Council (IAC), we hope to bridge the gap between the college graduate and the established young professional, providing a home for all. Contact Moshe House at: VegasMoisheHouse@gmail.com; josh.hillinger@moishe house.org
25
26
Nid’vei Lev- Donations from the Heart Blue Greenberg -In honor of Rabbi Mintz's 10 year celebration Sondra & Stan Rose -In honor of our 56th Wedding Anniversary Evelyn & Ken Clark -In memory of Solomon & Jean Tzorfas Anita Lewy -In Blessed Memory of David Lieberman, Sam's Father Ann Mandell -Nid-vei Lev (From the heart) contribution Anita Lewy -Nid-vei Lev (From the heart) contribution Jane Kusel -Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Ann Brandt -MiSheberach for my daughter Donna Duarte Anita Lewy -MiSheberach for Richard Aarenau Sheryl Honig In Honor of Anita Lewy's Birthday
27
September 2 September 3 September 3 September 6 September 6 September 8 September 11 September 12 September 12 September 13 September 13 September 15 September 16 September 17 September 18 September 19 September 19 September 24 September 25 September 26 September 26 September 27 September 27 October 2 October 3 October 3 October 7 October 8 October 11 October 12
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE: 6:30 PM Tot Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study 7:30 PM Rosh Chodesh: The Month of Love 4:15 PM Yad Squad 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 7:00 PM Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada presents Year of Dialogue “How Jewish Americans Vote and Why” at Temple Sinai 1:00 PM Hi Ho Challah Baking 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 4:15 PM Yad Squad 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 4:00 PM Jewish Federation 50th Gala 7:30 PM Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study 10:00 AM NEW! לַחקוֹרLach'kor - Explore. Investigate. Study. Search. Quest. YOM KIPPUR: Who needs forgiveness and why can't I have a good meal?
4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 7:00 PM S’lichot-Havdallah reflections, Wine and Dessert 2:00 PM High Holiday Children's Happening 4:15 PM Jewlicious Learning 7:00 PM Biblical Hebrew III 4:15 PM Yad Squad 7:00 PM Jewish, Alive and American 7:00 PM Erev Rosh Hashanah at Texas Station 10:00 AM Rosh Hashanah at Texas Station 5:00 PM Tashlich and Picnic Dinner 6:30 PM Tot Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 9:30 AM Torah Study 7:00 PM Erev Yom Kippur-Kol Nidrei at Texas Station 10:00 AM Yom Kippur at Texas Station
Blessing for the Month of Elul May you be blessed with stocktaking and introspection that leads to the discovery of amazing and yet unknown parts of yourself. Upon finding them may they lead to more opportunities to be present in your life and the life of your loved ones and community. Amein 28