MESSENGER
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volume
FROMB’NAI THE RABBI HIGHLIGHTS THECALENDAR SYNAGOGUE | CONGREGATION EMUNAH | TULSA | DECEMBER 2016 | NO. 12
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CENTENNIAL GALA ON DECEMBER 11 - SEE PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS
PERSONALS
MASTHEAD
BIRTHS
THE MESSENGER
Alexander James Applebaum, born to Lindsay and Josh Applebaum. Maternal grandparents are Dr. Jeff and Judy Alexander. Maternal great-grandparents are Howard Alexander and Irene Rosenfield.
December 2016 - Published Monthly
CONGREGATION B’NAI EMUNAH 1719 South Owasso Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 Office: (918) 583‑7121 School: (918) 585‑KIDS Fax: (918) 747-9696 Website: www.tulsagogue.com
MAZAL TOV Mazal tov to Judy Tully, a member of the extended family of the Synagogue and mother of Molly Berger, who has just concluded her career as the Office Manager of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha. Judy’s professional career spanned many responsibilities over 20 years, and her retirement took place amid an outpouring of love and respect. Mazal tov!
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news. (Isaiah 52:7)
CENTENNIAL NOTES THE END IS NEAR
Congratulations to David Charney, who has followed in his father Harold’s footsteps by joining the Tulsa Tech Board of Education. David recently took his oath of office and we join in saluting him for his civic commitments.
This edition of the Messenger is once again full of information about our Centennial Gala, scheduled for December 11.
Congratulations to Wayne Sterba and Rabbi Marc Fitzerman and Alice Blue on the recent wedding of their children, Daniel Sterba and Nina Fitzerman-Blue. Joy and health to the young couple.
In other developments, we’re planning a big Centennial Year display of yarmulkas (kippot) imprinted for special occasions/life cycle events. If your drawers are full of them, please drop your surplus at the Synagogue. We are also eager to accomplish a project that will require many unused tallitot (tallises). Whatever you can pass along would be very helpful!
Mazal tov to Dr. Jason Baird Jackson, a member of the B’nai Emunah diaspora, whose book, Material Vernaculars: Objects, Images and Their Social Worlds, was recently published by Indiana University Press. The book offers insights into the significance of such practices as scrapbooking, the wedding coat in Osage ceremonial exchanges, and the Sukkot that Jews build each holiday season.
We’re grateful to say that many of you have started to send your historic pictures to the Synagogue. Please keep them coming, either for the purpose of copying or direct donation. Our archive needs your help this year! The same is true for copies of the Messenger, postcards from the Synagogue, or anything that would fall into the category of paper ephemera. We’ve made good use of this material and intend to keep at it.
ON THE COVER
Would you like to participate in the Synagogue’s Centennial Year writing project? Called My Jewish Tulsa, it will feature essays by Dr. Joli Jensen, Eva Unterman, Jason Brimer, Nathan Levit, and many others about the meaning of Jewish life in our city. Please call Rabbi Fitzerman for details.
Part of a portfolio given to the Synagogue anonymously, this image of Jerusalem is by Nahum Gutman, Russian Jew and longtime resident of Tel Aviv. American Jews bought these portfolios by the thousands on their first trips to Israel in the 1960s and 1970s, and their interest as political and cultural statements sometimes exceeds their impact as works of art. Just out of view in this detail, Gutman painted the suggestion of a menorah in the purple sky beyond the hills, as if to Judaize this depiction of the Dome of the Rock. At the time this work was painted, the Old City was off-limits to Jews.
Please follow us on Facebook. Almost 1,200 people tune in to the Synagogue this way!
BIBI-DIBI ON DECEMBER 9
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THE DECEMBER CALENDAR AT B’NAI EMUNAH 3
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BAR MITZVAH OF JORDAN KUPETSKY
We note with pride the upcoming bar mitzvah of Jordan Kupetsky, son of Adam Kupetsky and Michelle Cantrell. The Mincha and Havdalah services will begin at 4:30 p.m. As always, everyone in the congregation is invited to attend this public celebration. Here’s to joyous occasions for us all!
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It’s not just for you. It’s not just for me. It’s Shabbat for Everyone at CBE! Our monthly, kid-friendly Shabbat experience begins with a delicious dinner prepared by us, so you can just relax and enjoy. We then move into the sounds and movements of a joyous Friday night celebration. Your feet will be stomping as the music carries us forward into the night. Top it all off with a delightful story, and you’ve got yourself one can’t-miss evening. No reservation is needed for the service at 7:00 p.m. But please call or visit our website by Wednesday, December 14, to guarantee your place at the dinner table.
THE PERFECT LATKE
What does perfection look like? We think fried potatoes get pretty close. Ritual foods sit at the heart of so many Jewish holidays, so take part in this workshop where you’ll learn the Synagogue’s secrets for the perfect potato pancake. Chef Ben West shares his tips of the trade at this tasty program. Space will be limited for this kitchen-based workshop, so please RSVP by calling the Synagogue Office to reserve your spot at the counter.
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SEVENTEENTH STREET DELI
Authentic Jewish delicatessen in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Housecured pastrami by Rabbi Kaiman, fresh baked rye bread by Rabbi Fitzerman, half-sour pickles— the only thing missing is the Formica countertop. You’re hungry for this, and we’re ready to feed you. For just $25 a person, fulfill the nostalgic longing of the Jewish people over a deli dinner. Bring friends, bring neighbors, bring appetites! Visit tulsadeli.org to reserve your spot today.
BIBI-DIBI
Very young children and their parents are invited to join us for another soft and cuddly Shabbat experience. Parachutes, rattles and toys sit at the center of our circle while parents and kids share in the blessings of peaceful Shabbat. A delicious, kid-friendly Shabbat dinner accompanies this program. It all gets started at 6:00 p.m. Please call or visit our website by Wednesday, December 7, to reserve your spot on the floor.
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SHABBAT FOR EVERYONE
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WINTER|LIGHTS CHANUKAH FESTIVAL
It is the darkest time of year, but don’t let that get you down. Join friends, family, and community for a joyous celebration of the Chanukah season. At 6:00 p.m., we will begin our evening with a holiday dinner complete with all your favorite seasonal foods. Following dinner, we’ll invite our Maple Ridge neighbors, friends, and fellow faith communities to join us in dancing, singing, and warm treats. The evening will culminate in a giant sparkling circle of light. While no reservation is necessary for the 7:00 p.m. party, please do make contact if you’d like to participate in the meal. It’s $14 for adults, $7 for kids, and just $1 for tots.
THE CENTENNIAL GALA
It is the final official event of a year-long anniversary calendar,. The Centennial Gala has arrived. Invitations have gone out to every member of the Jewish community. The event will take place on Sunday evening, December 11, at 6:00 p.m., and seats are still available. Guests will be treated to a five-course banquet catered by Justin Thompson, prominent chef and the guiding force behind Juniper, Prhyme, and Tavolo, three of Tulsa’s most notable restaurants. Music for an evening of dancing will come from Golem, a New York City band known for its retro-hip sound and its brilliant reimagining of the Ashkenazic musical tradition. Let’s celebrate one hundred years together!
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24 FOR 24 AND COOKIEBAKE
Two great volunteer projects animate the annual winter season at The Synagogue. CookieBake 2016 trays and delivers home-baked sweet treats to hospital waiting rooms, police and fire stations, Ronald McDonald House, and any other place where essential services are open on Christmas Eve and Day. For 24 for 24, we cook and deliver 24 Christmas dinners to 24 families in hospice care for the holiday. There are many ways to involve yourself in these projects, so please see our Featured Events page for more information on how you can be a part of our work.
Please call the Synagogue to order your new Centennial T-Shirt. The cost is $18.
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BAR MITZVAH
JANUARY AT A GLANCE
JORDAN CANTRELL KUPETSKY
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SHABBAT FOR EVERYONE
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SISTERHOOD SHABBAT
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SISTERHOOD SPEAKER: JOANNE CARAS
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REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING PARADE
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BIBI-DIBI: SHABBAT FOR THE TEENIEST
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SEVENTEENTH STREET DELI
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BAR MITZVAH OF ELI ANDERSON
You can make reservations for any Synagogue event by calling Gwenn or Caroline at our special Reservations Hotline: (918) 935-3373. You can also use the Reservations Page on the Synagogue website at www.tulsagogue.com.
Jordan Cantrell Kupetsky, son of Adam Kupestky and Michelle Cantrell, will become a bar mitzvah on Saturday, December 3, 2016, 3 Kislev 5777, at Congregation B’nai Emunah. Preparing him for this transitional moment are Greg “Skee” Raskin and Sara Levitt, under the direction of Rabbi Fitzerman and Rabbi Kaiman.
On the back inside page of this edition, you’ll find the monthly calendar of the Synagogue, with candlelighting times, our regular service schedule, the Religious School calendar and other routine events.
Jordan attends Carver Middle School, where he participates in the Coding, Science and Chess clubs. He also plays violin and is part of the Carver orchestra. Outside of school, Jordan enjoys creating animation videos, playing soccer and tennis and waterskiing. For his mitzvah project, Jordan will help refugee children by raising funds for Syrian and Iraqi refugee schools and volunteering with local refugee assistance efforts.
The calendar on page 3 is intended to draw attention to upcoming programs. For a full description of special moments on the calendar, please check the pages headed Featured Events. You can find our comprehensive calendar, including events that are months away, on our website: tulsagogue.com. Please note that all yahrtzeits listed on the back page of this issue begin at sunset on the night before. They will first be announced at services on the day preceding the listed date.
Celebrating with Jordan are his brothers Daniel and Dylan, grandparents Beverly and Robert Kupetsky and Martha and Charlie Cantrell, together with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The community is invited to join Jordan and his family for this Havdalah celebration at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Please let your out-of-town family members and friends know that our Centennial Year
Synagogue membership information?
will soon come to an end! We would be delighted
Please call Rabbi Daniel Shalom Kaiman at
to have them at our Gala on December 11.
(918) 583-7121. We’d love to help.
Just have them call the Synagogue at (918) 935-3373 for their reservations. Thanks!
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RABBI MARC FITZERMAN
TODAH RABAH
SISTERHOOD
MANY THANKS
DAYS OF CONCERN My next-door neighbor is a tzaddik and a mensch. A prominent, successful attorney in Tulsa, he called me on the day after our daughter’s wedding to express concern about the new administration. He wanted me to know that Stephen Bannon, the presiding genius of a white nationalist news site, was anathema to him and to many of his peers. He was deeply disturbed that Bannon would be central to the new administration, and that I was not alone, now or ever. He promised he would stand with me and our community to name and oppose any threat or danger.
Our Bikur Cholim committee prepared and delivered many meals over the last several weeks. Our thanks to: Dr. Jill Wenger, Jackie Lasky, Terry Marcum, Debbie Lederman, and Joan Neidell. Thanks to one and all!
The call felt like both a blessing and an alarm. Like many of you, I know a lot about Stephen Bannon, and the habits of many of his disciples and supporters. There is a pro-Zionist thread that runs through his discourse, but that doesn’t begin to offset the general tone of Breitbart, the name of the little media empire he has created. It is deeply hostile to the idea of multiculturalism and strongly antagonistic toward minority viewpoints. The Anti-Defamation League calls the Breitbart community “a loose-knit group of white nationalists and unabashed anti-Semites and racists.” Just in case you’re wondering, this is not good for the Jews or (to reprise the famous poster) any other living people.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ART FROM THE HEART
If B’nai Emunah is like the rest of the Jewish community, there are some who voted for the President-elect and many more who voted for his defeated opponent. I try very hard to refrain from criticizing those who disagree with me, and I offer my respect to those with different views. My commitment to multiculturalism goes very deep, and it includes the members of our own community.
Imagine that you are just getting started again after a period of homelessness or dislocation. You have some tableware and a bed to sleep in, but your walls are bare and your apartment looks temporary. At the same time, you have to husband your resources and concentrate on the basics. Enter “Art from the Heart.” The purpose of this project is to give framed artwork to the residents of community-supported housing in the Tulsa area. The Synagogue has now been the conduit for a significant flow of contributions. All you have to do is drop your gift off at the Synagogue. For information about pickup of your artwork at your home, please call Dr. Melissa Weiss at (918) 260-2294.
But there is no doubt in my mind that the Bannon appointment, like many things we heard in the course of the campaign, is the sign of a grievous and fundamental misconception. We can differ on questions of big and small government. We can differ on the best way to confront ISIS or global climate change. But hatred of Muslims, homosexuals, and Jews, along with any other perceived threat to alt-right America, is wrong for the country and for our future as a nation.
CHANGING THE WORLD
There are some American Jewish organizations that profess to be puzzled. How to oppose without losing access? I am not confused about this issue. Anti-Semitism and the disparagement of other minorities is plainly disqualifying and cannot be tolerated. I do not stand with the accommodationist camp and I hope that you will refuse to do the same. I hope that those who voted for the new president will make it clear that their chosen candidate has erred, and those who did not will protest energetically. Some things cannot be allowed to stand, and this is surely the time to raise our voices in opposition.
Samantha Elauf is the young Muslim woman who was barred from employment at Abercrombie and Fitch because of her devotion to hijab, the customary wearing of a headscarf to fulfill Muslim ideals about modesty. The case went to the Supreme Court, which vindicated her cause. Samatha will be honored on Sunday, December 4, with the Woody Guthrie Center’s 2016 Oklahoma Changing World Prize. Please see the Guthrie Center website for additional details. 5
THE SYNAGOGUE ARCHIVE
Snapped at the “B’nai Emunah Sweetheart Dance” on February 15, 1958, these are (left to right) Hanna Ungerman, Irvine Ungerman, Miriam Kahn, and Rabbi Arthur Kahn. At this point, Rabbi Kahn was in his ninth year of service to the congregation, and the Ungermans were deeply involved in leadership at the formal and informal levels. Hanna was a lawyer by training and devoted herself to the cause of the B’nai Emunah Sisterhood. Irvine negotiated our contracts and monitored the legal wellbeing of the congregation. The name of the event is a signifier of the continuing Americanization of a mid-century Oklahoma congregation. February 15, 1958, was the first Saturday evening after Valentine’s Day that year, and the event was clearly intended to stand in the place of a Valentine’s Day celebration in everything but name. Why not call it by its normal name? To this day, American Jewish congregations do some of the things that their neighbors do, but avoid the nomenclature of the larger culture. Our thanks to Rowena Galerston, Irvine and Hanna’s daughter, for this evocative picture.
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FEATURED EVENTS AT THE SYNAGOGUE WE’RE HERE: GALA ON DECEMBER 11
NOT FOR OURSELVES, BUT FOR OTHERS
From its beginnings as a prayer quorum of immigrant Jews from Latvia to its current status as a dynamic, big-hearted Oklahoma synagogue, Congregation B’nai Emunah tells the story of Judaism in America.
In our darkest moments, we can find joy, gladness and fellowship in the service of others. This winter season, the Synagogue once again undertakes two ambitious volunteer projects. As our brothers and sisters celebrate Christmas, there’s important work we can do to make everyone’s holiday a little sweeter.
The Synagogue is now nearing the final official event of a year-long anniversary calendar, its Centennial Gala. The event will take place on Sunday evening, December 11, at 6:00 p.m., and seats are still available. Guests will be treated to a five-course banquet catered by Justin Thompson, prominent chef and the guiding force behind Juniper, Prhyme, and Tavolo, three of Tulsa’s most notable restaurants. Music for an evening of dancing will come from Golem, a New York City band known for its retro-hip sound and its brilliant reimagining of the Ashkenazic musical tradition.
CookieBake 2016 is one good way to accomplish this goal. We invite all members of the community to bake their favorite cookies and bars at home for this project any time during the month of December. If you begin early, please wrap your contribution securely and freeze it at home. The Synagogue stores only items baked in our own kitchens. Please drop off your baked goods at the Synagogue on December 23, before 10:00 a.m.
Those who would like to participate in the Gala should call the Synagogue Reservations Line immediately at (918) 9353373. Gala seats are $75 per person, and complimentary child care will be available in the Preschool classrooms of the Synagogue.
We will tray everything for eventual distribution to hospital emergency rooms, waiting rooms, police and fire stations, the Ronald McDonald House—wherever essential services are offered on Christmas Eve and Day. In addition to baking, a team of volunteers is needed to help tray and arrange the platters. Another volunteer role is delivering these trays to the various locations throughout our city.
Centennial Gala Chairs Nancy Cohen, Mark Goldman, and Jolene Sanditen-Stephens have spent months organizing this final celebration and hope that patrons enjoy an experience built around the joyous gathering of the congregational family and its many friends. Speeches? Not really. History of the congregation? Nope. We’ll keep looking at the second half-century of Jewish life in Tulsa and continue to publish the results well into 2017. But the evening of December 11 is all about dinner, dancing, and celebrating the social pleasures of congregational belonging.
For our 24 for 24 project, volunteers help prepare and deliver 24 complete turkey Christmas meals for families in hospice care who may not have the ability to provide a festive holiday meal for themselves. In the days leading up to the holiday, kitchen volunteers cook a meal worthy of the season. Another team of volunteers delivers these Christmas Eve meals to the homes of the recipient families. Finally, we invite families and individuals within the Synagogue community to underwrite the cost of these Christmas meals. Your contribution helps us all serve together.
SYLVAN TRANSPORTATION FUND
If you’d like to involve yourself in either of these projects, please call the Synagogue office or email us at info@bnaiemunah.com.
We’re glad to bring members to Synagogue events when they cannot drive themselves. Please call us at (918) 583-7121 to reserve a ride.
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Please drop off your unwanted
WEARABLE SHOES at the front door of the Synagogue this season.
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GENEROSITY
FEATURED EVENTS (continued from page 7)
AMAZON SMILE
WINTER|LIGHTS ON DECEMBER 21
We’ve never done anything like this before, but we’re experimenting with Amazon Smile, a new program for charitable contribution. If you register soon at the new smile. amazon.com website (just type in Amazon Smile), your purchases will result in a charitable contribution from Amazon to the Synagogue. There is no cost to you and no cost to the Synagogue.
The Jewish tradition demands that Chanukah be observed with public moments of gathering and celebration. This season, the Synagogue invites family, friends, neighbors and representatives of fellow faith communities to stand with us as we bring light into a darkness with the WinterLight Chanukah Festival. Mulled apple cider, tasty jelly donuts, hot chocolate and s'mores will warm you from the inside out. Swirls of joyous simcha dancing and songs appropriate for the season will ensure that folks of all ages have a blast as we celebrate diversity and the blessings of a multicultural Tulsa.
This one seems like the proverbial win-win for a charitable organization like ours, but please let us know what you think. Synagogue Administrator Betty Lehman would be glad to walk you through the registration process, and she would love to hear if you find this approach worthwhile. At our end, everything (including small things) helps keep the Synagogue strong and healthy.
The evening will culminate with your participation in the creation of a gigantic circle of sparklers demonstrating to all that we can bring light into even the darkest of times. You are encouraged to invite your neighbors and friends to join us for this big public display. The festival begins at 7:00 p.m.
PLEASE DO YOUR BEST
As a prelude, those who wish may gather for a Chanukah feast featuring the wonderful foods of the season. The meal will begin at 6:00 p.m., and we ask you make reservations for that part of the evening. The cost for the meal is $14 for adults, $7 for kids and $1 for tots.
When you pick up or drop off someone at the Synagogue please be careful to observe our traffic standards. Avoid parking between the bright green cones directly in front of the door, and please don’t park double file in the circular driveway. Thanks for helping us be safe!
In the spirit of the season, we ask that everyone bring a wrapped holiday gift to donate to families in need. We hope to collect one hundred gifts in honor of our one-hundredth year. Here's to joyous celebrations!
Please join us at the Synagogue for
WINTER|LIGHTS Wednesday, December 21 | Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and Circle of Light at 7:00 p.m. Call (918) 583-7121 for Dinner Reservations
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FROM RABBI DAN KAIMAN
LET US HELP YOU
BAT MITZVAH
. CHILD CARE AT THE SYNAGOGUE
NEW WAYS TO GIVE
.Child care is always available at the Synagogue. All you have to do is to let us know two days in advance of an event or a service and we will be glad to help. We love having children in the Sanctuary and the Chapel, but sometimes they are uncomfortable with their surroundings and make it difficult for others to hear. Please let us help you strike the right balance between having your children at your side and making it possible for others to participate comfortably. Todah rabah!
New technology continually shapes and reshapes the way we behave. As individuals and institutions, it is no simple task to keep up with an ever-changing world. Just when it feels as though we have systems built to handle what will come next, something comes along to disrupt the norm. We are asked to reconsider how we operate. It would seem that we can almost never settle into routine. Yet Judaism is all about routine. Each week we welcome Shabbat. We follow the same holiday cycle year after year. We rely on lifecycle rituals that are rooted in ancient practices and customs. The sages of the Talmud sought actively to fix ritual and habit into our daily lives as a means of preserving identity. We visit and revisit the stories of our tradition, in order to tap into truths about ourselves and others.
MEMBERSHIP NEW FACES AT THE SYNAGOGUE Here’s where we introduce new faces to B’nai Emunah. Members and their families are a source of strength to all of us, and we are pleased to bring these good people to your attention. Meet our new members:
So how we respond to change becomes an important barometer in understanding ourselves and others. Do we blindly accept the new technology thrust in our faces? Or do we reject that which is new, in favor of established truths and rhythms? I’d say we always have to do a little of both. It is important to be skeptical about the newest, shiniest gadget on the market. But it would be foolish to reject new and better ways of operating on principle alone. Walking the line between progress and the past is a delicate process.
Joe Goldberg and Dr. Kitty Cardwell Goldberg 3812 Woodland Trails Drive Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 We look forward to welcoming one and all as official members of the Synagogue family. Here’s to a great and lasting relationship!
I’m happy to share that we at the Synagogue have recently taken a small, but important, step forward in the arena of technology. On the good suggestion of a member of our Board of Directors, we have now incorporated a donations module into our website. If you visit www.tulsagogue.com/ donate you’ll find a system set up to accept your financial contributions to our work. It is a simple and user-friendly tool which we hope will make life easier for some. Of course, this new technology does not replace the old ways. You can still call, write or simply stop by our offices in the ways you always have. But we are grateful to be able to walk through tradition and change together.
VOLUNTEERISM ESL AT B’NAI EMUNAH Our English as a Second Language (ESL) class will be under way shortly, and now all we need is you! Our first class will be comprised of mothers with young children. All are Burmese refugees. Classes will meet Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Synagogue, beginning in January.
PHILANTHROPY
We are looking for volunteers for small group work, one-onone help in the classroom setting, and childcare for children age 4 and under.
END OF THE YEAR Your year-end contributions mean a lot to the Synagogue. They allow us to stay ahead of our responsibilities and keep our promises in service, education, and caring. Please think of bringing your account up to date or setting aside a gift for a project that interests you. We are stronger together, and we would love to have your support. A gift to the Synagogue may also have advantages to you when it comes to your tax responsibilities. Please confer with your advisor soon!
A volunteer orientation has already taken place, but we are still recruiting. We welcome all those interested in being a part of this project, regardless of experience. For questions and to volunteer please contact Sara at slevitt@bnaiemunah. com or call (918) 583-7121.
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JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING—SARA LEVITT we all remember during Chanukah not to “let the light go out” and to “let it shine through our love and our tears.”
LIGHTS ON! I love the holiday of Chanukah. I love that the smell of latkes seems to last the entire 8 days of the holiday in my couch cushions and in my hair. I have great memories of my sisters and me each having our own Chanukiah to light every night of the holiday and of singing one of my favorite Chanukah songs of all time—Peter, Paul and Mary’s Light One Candle. Perhaps one of the less traditional Chanukah tunes, this song is an anthem about being a light in times of darkness. Throughout my childhood, when I was a member of a minority in school, I taught my non-Jewish friends and teachers about the holiday and especially that Chanukah was in fact not the Jewish version of Christmas. I have always loved the spirit of the season, listening to Christmas songs, and kindly explaining to cashiers that I would not receive a lump of coal or a gift from Santa this year, because I celebrate Chanukah. What I love even more than the customs and traditions that have evolved over time around Chanukah are the messages at the core of the story of Judah Maccabee and his followers.
SUMMER It is not too early to start thinking about the summer. Opportunities for fun, exciting, impactful Jewish experiences for kids of all ages are available and starting to fill up. Looking for a summer camp experience? What about a trip to Israel? Let us help you find the perfect fit for your child for this summer. Scholarships are available for . several programs. Contact Sara Levitt for more information at slevitt@bnaiemunah.com or call 918-583-7121 about these programs and others: Camp Ramah in the Rockies www.ramahoutdoors.org Camp Ramah Darom www.ramahdarom.org USY Summer Experiences www.usy.org/escape
During a challenging time in our history, when the ruling body in Israel forced everyone to practice their beliefs, Judah and his followers refused. The Maccabees, as they were later called, brought the Jews from a time of great darkness to a time of light. With a literal rededication of the Temple through the light of the oil burning in the Chanukiah, they symbolically refused to let the light of the Jewish people go out. Peter, Paul and Mary were truly spot on with their reminder, “don’t let the light go out,” embodying the essence of this holiday and deepening my love for this song beyond its catchy tune. Especially in today’s climate of division and fear, we can learn a great deal from this story. The Maccabees teach us stand up for what we believe in and bring light into the world. As descendants of the mighty Maccabees, we should be the champions for shining a light in this time of darkness.
Genesis Precollege Programs www.brandeis.edu/precollege BBYO Summer Programs www.bbyo.org/summer
SHABBAT FOR
EVERYONE Friday, December 16, 2016 Dinner at 6:15 p.m. Celebration at 7:00 p.m
It is easy, during this time of year when it is most obvious that we are different from our friends and neighbors, to stay insular. It is, however, the exact message of our holiday that we do not stay silent and that we stand proudly for the things we believe to be right. There are endless opportunities here in our own Synagogue (delivering cookies to first responders or meals to people in hospice) and in our larger community to be a light in a time of darkness. I challenge you to add this practice as a new tradition to your Channukah celebration, embodying the great message from our story of bringing people from darkness to light. May
Story: Hershel and the Chanukah Goblins
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SISTERHOOD NEWS | JANET DUNDEE
UPCOMING (CONCLUDED)
SPEAKER FOR SISTERHOOD SHABBAT
MEMBERSHIP BRUNCH
On Saturday, January 14, 2017, Sisterhood will host our annual Sisterhood Shabbat, with a luncheon provided after services.
Many thanks and congratulations to Dr. Jill Wenger, who chaired the annual Sisterhood brunch on November 6 at the Synagogue.
Our special guest for the weekend is Joanne Caras, author of two Holocaust survivors’ cookbooks. Joanne will share with us the incredible story of her journey to collect stories and recipes from survivors around the world. The first cookbook is virtually sold out. We will have copies of her second cookbook, Miracles and Meals, which continues Joanne’s effort to raise funds for a restaurant/soup kitchen in Jerusalem. The soup kitchen serves approximately 500 hungry people every day.
Guest speaker, Ken Busby, spoke about the effort to build a museum on Route 66 in Tulsa, as well as a giving brief history of how Route 66 developed. Ken’s compelling story about this “Mother Road” was enjoyed by our members. In return, Ken was thrilled to receive a copy of Kum Essen V and his own pair of Route 66 socks, which he can wear at every presentation he makes about this important opportunity to enhance our community with a museum and other projects dedicated to Route 66.
Jan Finer, chair of this weekend, encourages everyone to attend Shabbat services, led by women from our congregation, and stay for the luncheon, which will feature recipes from the cookbook. Lori Lieb-Rosas and her committee will prepare this complimentary luncheon. Reservations would help us plan the meal, so please call Carla Guzik (cdguzik@cox.net) to let us know you will be there for lunch.
Sisterhood also was delighted to greet Sara Levitt, who led the attendees in singing. Sara explained her educational projects and other programs which she plans to coordinate at the Synagogue. Carol Mandlebaum, Sisterhood President, spoke about Sisterhood’s ongoing effort to gain new members. Those interested in signing up as Sisterhood members should contact Randee Charney, Rebecca Plunkett or Carol for further information.
On Sunday, January 15, at 1:00 p.m. at B’nai Emunah, Joanne will continue to tell her powerful and moving story about this mitzvah project, which has brought Joanne into contact with over 300 Holocaust survivors as far away as Australia, Europe and Canada, as well as in the United States. Joanne has also appeared on a number of television programs and has a television show of her own entitled Miracles and Meals with Joanne Caras on Jewish Life TV (JLTV).
GIFT SHOP NEWS Nancy Cohen, Gift Shop chair, encourages the congregation to “Shop Local,” right inside the front door of the Synagogue, for Chanukah or any other occasion for Judaica gifts. Proceeds from Gift Shop purchases help Sisterhood support the educational programs of B’nai Emunah Religious School.
Following Joanne’s presentation on Sunday, she will remain to sign her cookbook which you can purchase for $36. Sisterhood invites the entire congregation and friends to be with us on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. Watch for your invitation in the mail.
For quick reference, please check the Synagogue’s website at
IRON GATE Sarah-Anne Schumann, Sisterhood Board member, has announced that Sisterhood will continue to volunteer one Sunday a month at Iron Gate, whose mission is to feed the hungry every day.
www.tulsagogue.com. You’ll find a useful calendar and many other helpful features, including a growing collection of liturgical music.
Sarah-Anne would appreciate hearing from anyone who would like to participate in this project. Men as well as women are welcome to volunteer. Please contact Sarah-Anne at hennschu@gmail.com. 11
Centennial Gala Sunday, December 11, at 6:00 p.m. This is the culminating event for our Centennial Year of Celebration. We’ll ring out our year of festivities, exhibitions, tributes and events with a grand feast, a photographic tribute to members of the congregation, dancing, and toasts. We’ve done our research, built the Lego model of the Synagogue, and now it’s time for us to dance the night away. Call us or send in your invitation response card as soon as you can. The banquet is $75 per person, and we are eager to take your reservation as soon as possible.Look for a meal from the talented hands of Justin Thompson, and the music of Golem, New York City’s best retro-hip Jewish dance band. To the future of Jewish community life in Tulsa, Oklahoma!
12
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SYNAGOGUE 92nd Street Y Fund
Joe Kantor Hebrew School Fund
Susan Contente and G. Kurt Piehler
Madeline and John Florence
Altamont Bakery Fund
Maxine Richard and Joan Kritsky
Josh and Lillian Price Memorial Fund
Ann Beerman Flower and Garden Fund
Mizel Family Philanthropic Fund
Randi and Paul Brodsky Joseph Secan Genny Seletsky Cheryl Wallace
Anne Zarrow Courtyard Fund
Karen Neuwald The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Barbara Curnutt Preschool Fund Maxine Richard and Joan Kritsky
Bikur Cholim Fund Jonathan Kantor
Karen Neuwald
Susan and Jerry Sokol
Morris and Toby Fell Landscaping Fund Toby Fell
Morris and Edith Sylvan Transportation Fund Jan Brickman Beatrice Newman Barbara and Dave Sylvan
Norman and Shirley Levin Fund for Prayerbook Publication
Building and Grounds Fund
Jerry Borofsky Linda Brown Linda Dubois Michael and Leah Dubois Nicole Dubois
Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
Rabbi Arthur D. Kahn, D. D., Culture Fund
B’nai Brith Youth Education Fund Donna and Gary Dundee
Betty and Keith Lehman
Randi and Paul Brodsky
Centennial Fund
April and Richard Borg Marty Newman
Chevra Kadisha Fund Jerry Borofsky Terri Stidham
Edgar and Isabel Sanditen Preschool Fund Rebecca and Stephen Plunkett
Joe and Dorothy Katz Senior Adult Fund Joan Benesh
Jerry Borofsky Bonnie and George Kennedy and Gamily Jill and Howard Mizel
Rabbi Marc Boone Fitzerman Discretionary Fund
Kay and Sam Oleinick Stephanie and Dr. Stan Pastor and family Judith Ungerman Drs. Linda and Richard Young
Robinowitz Library Fund Vellie Bloch Peggy and Tom Sitrin
Rose Borg Sukkah Fund
Rosalyn Borg (St. Louis) and Family
Schlanger-Blend Kitchen Furnishings Fund Karen Neuwald Bette and Wynn Wozobski
Scott Sanditen Memorial Community Service Fund Harold Sanditen Jean and Will Sanditen
Sharna Frank Music Fund
Julie Frank Mimi Tarrasch and Richard Langston Eva Unterman
Sidney & Jenny Brouse Family Shabbat and Holiday Fund Vellie Bloch Joan Green Rebecca and Stephen Plunkett Isrella Taxon
Social Welfare Fund
Nahomi and Jonathan Harkavy
Stuart and Sherri Goodall/Blanc Art Education Fund Sherri and Stuart Goodall
Synagogue General Fund
Ellen and Dr. Stephen Adelson O’Neil Cobb Jennifer Flexner and John Bury Linda and Joel Gluck Allan Jeffy Brenda and Jerome Katz Max Katz Philanthropic Fund Kay and Sam Oleinick Anita and Ed Ulrich Judith Ungerman Carla and Les Weston Latona and Ron Willhoite
The Religious School Fund The Curtis and Joan Green Philanthropic Fund Eva Unterman
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SYNAGOGUE In Loving Memory Devera Adelson Celia Adler Evelyn Arbesman Ann Beerman Bessie Blend Louis Blend Dr. Elliott Bloch Rachel Borg Brona Borofsky Carmen Breeding Cecil Breeding Edward Brickman Meryl Brodsky Harold Charney David Contente Andrew Dixon Bettye Dritch Morris Dubin Ruth Dubin Lance Dubois Morris Dundee Sara Edelman
Morris Fell Michael David Frank Curtis Green Dr. HJ Harkavy Harriet Harkavy Ida Harkavy Bennie Haskell Helen Kirsch Lottie Jackson Bernard Jeffy Harry Lewiskin Simon Metzger Louis Mizel Isadore Nadel Berthe Neuwald Renee Neuwald Toni Neuwald Rita Newman Evelyn Oleinick Leon Pastor Scott Sanditen David Shapiro Mary Spears
Charles Stidham Richard Stidham Morris Sylvan Maynard Ungerman Charles West Corry Weston Morris Weisbord Hermine Weise Milton Wolff Mary Louise (White) Young
In Honor Of
Julia Butkin, on her bat mitzvah Rafi Dworsky David Finer, on his birthday Klay Kodesh Bonnie Spiesberger, on her birthday
Speedy Recovery Of
Freda Aron Jonathan Jeffy Bernard and Lillian Roberts Rita Zeff
Please start baking for
CookieBake 2016 We’ll be delivering gifts wherever essential services are offered on Christmas Day. Please get your goods to the Synagogue by December 23 at 10:00 a.m.
december | kislev-tevet Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
5:30 PM Evening Service
2
Friday
4:49 PM Candlelighting 5:30 PM Evening Service
Saturday
3
9:00 AM Shabbat Service 4:30 PM Bar Mitzvah of Jordan Kupetsky 5:30 PM Havdalah
Torah: Toldot
4
9:00 AM Religious School 11:00 AM Doing Jewish: The Perfect Latke 5:30 PM Evening Service
5
5:30 PM Evening Service 7:00 PM Adult Institute at JCC
6
1:00 PM Altamont Baking 5:30 PM Evening Service
7
9:00 AM Altamont Packing 3:30 PM Hebrew School 5:30 PM Evening Service 7:00 PM Midrasha
8
5:30 PM Evening Service
9
4:49 PM Candlelighting 5:30 PM Evening Service 6:00 PM Bibi-Dibi
10
9:00 AM Shabbat Service 5:15 PM Closing Service 5:30 PM Havdalah
Torah: Vayeitzei
11
9:00 AM Religious School 5:30 PM Evening Service 6:00 PM The Centennial Gala
12
5:30 PM Evening Service 7:00 PM Adult Institute at JCC
13
1:00 PM Altamont Baking 5:30 PM Evening Service 7:00 PM Board of Directors
14
9:00 AM Altamont Packing 3:30 PM Hebrew School 5:30 PM Evening Service 7:00 PM Midrasha
15
5:30 PM Evening Service
16
4:51 PM Candlelighting 5:30 PM Evening Service 6:15 PM Shabbat Dinner 7:00 PM Shabbat for Everyone
17
9:00 AM Shabbat Service 5:20 PM Closing Service 5:35 PM Havdalah
Torah: Vayishlach
18
9:00 AM Religious School 5:30 PM Evening Service 6:00 PM 17th Street Deli
19
5:30 PM Evening Service
20
1:00 PM Altamont Baking 5:30 PM Evening Service
21
9:00 AM Altamont Packing 5:30 PM Evening Service 6:00 PM WinterLight Channukah Festival
22
5:30 PM Evening Service
23
9:00 AM 24 for 24 CookieBake 2016 4:54 PM Candlelighting 5:30 PM Evening Service
24
9:00 AM Shabbat Service 5:20 PM Closing Service 5:35 PM Havdalah
Torah: Vayeshev
25
5:30 PM Evening Service
26
5:30 PM Evening Service
Preschool and Office Closed
27
1:00 PM Altamont Baking 5:30 PM Evening Service
28
9:00 AM Altamont Packing 5:30 PM Evening Service
29
5:30 PM Evening Service
30
4:59 PM Candlelighting 5:30 PM Evening Service
31
9:00 AM Shabbat Service 5:20 PM Closing Service 5:35 PM Havdalah
Torah: Miketz
THE SYNAGOGUE
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
CONGREGATION B’NAI EMUNAH
PAID
Tulsa, Oklahoma Permit No. 587
1719 South Owasso Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 P.O. Box 52430 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74152
YAHRTZEIT CALENDAR — 1 KISLEV THROUGH 2 TEVET 5777 Thursday, December 1 - 1 Kislev Julius Bankoff Marshall R. Carter Jake Feldgreber Cathy Golzar Claudia Heyman Soliman Khalil Alfred Herbert Klein James S. Kohn Benjamin Raymond Geneva Van Drielen Anna Zeff Friday, December 2 - 2 Kislev Helen Kassel Lillian Kopp Felix B. Weinberg Saturday, December 3 - 3 Kislev Irwin Friedman Sadie Klein Seymour Marcum Ralph David Rozen Sunday, December 4 - 4 Kislev Dorothy Cohen Anna Mae Hansen Harry Aaron Harris Max Pepper Beverly Jeffy Raines Bernice Krasne Springer Isabel Ward Monday, December 5 - 5 Kislev David Z. Gollub Blossom Oram Dr. Stuart Rosenthal Tuesday, December 6 - 6 Kislev Sam Blattstein Eric Joseph Bonem Rose “Bubbie” Borg Wolf Breitfeld Anni Andris Goldberg Annabelle Richman Wednesday, December 7 - 7 Kislev Lillian Ruth Bernstein Edith Farfel Blacher Ida Ruth Breitfeld Eizer Drissman Perry Inhoff Rose Jacobs Shlomo Tublin Morris Tureck Thursday, December 8 - 8 Kislev Ida Esther Brown Walter Haas Horsky Jennie Lieberman Michael Marks Lillian Renberg
Friday, December 9 - 9 Kislev Minna Cafiero Dr. Donald D. Jensen Bertha Robinowitz Jacob Youngheim Saturday, December 10 - 10 Kislev Nettie Conan Sylvia Wolfson Degen Max Goertz Louis Kahan Amy Koppel Carl Livingston Sunday, December 11 - 11 Kislev Pearl Edythe Dritch Mayme Lefton Don Newman Monday, December 12 - 12 Kislev George Heyman Hermine “Bootsie” Levick Gertrude Levin Efrain Pineida Tuesday, December 13 - 13 Kislev Mary Lou Berman Frances Epstein Joe B. Freed Berthold Neuwald Elliott Stein Rebecca “Belle” Rose Weise Ann Wishnoff Linda Zankell Tree Wednesday, December 14 - 14 Kislev Sam Abravanel William F. Billings Aaron Contente Martha Grossbard Harold Jackson Muriel Pepper Marvin J. Rosmarin Thursday, December 15 - 15 Kislev Chaya Alexander Rose Blue Albert Finston Morris Freidlin Abe Mizel Max R. Moran Max Stockfish Friday, December 16 - 16 Kislev Donna Brown Ezra Dritch Anna Goertz Deborah J. Jacobs Sarah Roffman Albert Stekoll Jennie Zackowitz
Saturday, December 17 - 17 Kislev Chaim Shmuel Guterman Charlotte Sanditen Richards Harry Robinowitz Richard Stidham Jr. Edith Sylvan Sunday, December 18 - 18 Kislev Abraham Avery Fannie Blackman Robert Feldman Henry Harry Finston Kate Goldstein Anna M. Livingston Simon Moalen Rose Teller Lawrence Joseph Wolf Chris Young Monday, December 19 - 19 Kislev Raymond L. Campbell, Sr. Tuesday, December 20 - 20 Kislev Alyk Michael Appleman Milton Gordon Dvoira Gornic Roseline Gussman Moses A. Kahn Fred Sokol Neil Sporn Sidney Wittels Wednesday, December 21 - 21 Kislev Rose Fadem Gussie Feldman Rose Saikin Esther G. Sanders Lee “Lena” Solow William Zukerman Thursday, December 22 - 22 Kislev Beatrice Abrams Linda Brown Moones Javaherian Friday, December 23 - 23 Kislev Darryl Edelman Hyman Furman Esther Glass Miriam Nacht Samuel Schwartz Morris Sitrin Stanley Wiener Saturday, December 24 - 24 Kislev Jullian “Jack” Appleton Jessie Blanc Adolf Cohen Millie Guller Nathan Lieberman Travis I. Milsten David Plost Herman Sanditen
Sunday, December 25 - 25 Kislev Joseph Finer Sylvia Marder Lillian Moskowitz Shoshanni Seri Ronald Sokol Monday, December 26 - 26 Kislev V.S.D. Aaronson Daniel Blue Celia Breitfeld Jay Cohen Jane Margolis Jacob Olson Philip Robinson Norman Seidler Samuel Wiseman Tuesday, December 27 - 27 Kislev Dr. Sam S. Blanc Hannah Bortel Dr. Eric Glichouse Herbert J. Miller Harry Rosenthal Betty Shalon Wednesday, December 28 - 28 Kislev Rochel R. Fell Louis Fenster Nellie Finston Jerald Miller Thursday, December 29 - 29 Kislev Rita B. Benjamin Janis S. Bolusky Molly Dorothy Brickman Sheilah Freedman Bertha Garfinkel Richard Gordon George Henry Lehrman Isaac Sitrin Lee Tublin Friday, December 30 - 1 Tevet Morris Brown Rose Fabes Anna Sarah Lasky Elmer Livingston Abraham (A.J.) Sanditen Morris Singer Ida Stockfish Florence G. Storch Abraham Travis Robert Zeligson Saturday, December 31 - 2 Tevet Jerome Cardin William Stanley Haas Bella Jacobs Edna Marie Wolf Leah Zeldich Julius Zeligson
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life everlasting. Please note that each yahrtzeit begins at sunset on the day before the date listed.