VOLUME 58 EDITION 5 1 January 2016 20 Tevet 5776

Congregation Sha’arai Shomayim Founded 1844 Springhill Avenue Temple

The Temple Bulletin springhillavenuetemple.com

We are coming together as a caring, inclusive community united in a common commitment to Judaism and to furthering our spiritual growth. We desire to do this recognizing that worship of God, study of Torah, caring for the Jewish people and our community, are central to our being as a Reform Jewish congregation. With these principles as our foundation and guided by a historic past, we anticipate our future, one of continual lifelong self-renewal.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Friday, January 1 6:00 p.m. Evening Service

Saturday, January 2 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Morning Shabbat Service

Friday, January 8 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

Friday, January 15 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service with the Congregational Choir

Friday, January 22 6:00 p.m. 1844 Historical Shabbat Service with the Professional & Congregational Choirs

Friday, January 29 6:00 p.m. Evening Shabbat Service with the Congregational Choir

The Temple Offices will be closed Friday, January 1st for New Year’s Day Temple doors will be open at 5:00 p.m. for Friday Shabbat services. and Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King Day

ALL SHABBAT SERVICES ARE CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES. PLEASE JOIN US IN WORSHIP Torah Selection: Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 Haftarah – Isaiah 27:6 – 28:13; 29:22-23 1844 HISTORICAL SHABBAT SERVICE

find any conclusive evidence of what prayer n Friday night, January 22nd, we are book we actually used before we adopted the going to have a historical service to Union Prayer Book. And as a very special treat, O celebrate the anniversary of the founding we are planning to have the Professional Choir of our Temple which was founded on January and the Congregational Choir join together to 25th 1844, 172 years ago. We plan to have an present the music of our own Sigmund Annual Shabbat Service to celebrate this Schlesinger, who was the Music Director and illustrious event every year. Working with Mike Temple Organist from 1870 until his death in Pereira and the Religious Practice Committee, 1906. We will move into the sanctuary for this we have chosen Rabbi ’s Prayer service as befitting a formal service with a high Book, Olat Timid, which was one of the prayer degree of decorum. The Rabbi will wear a black books used by some temples before the Union robe without a yamaka, as would have been the Prayer Book was created in 1895. This was a practice at that time. difficult choice, in part, because we could not

Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

to our Congregation is much appreciated. That an you believe it's another New Year being said, how fortunate we are to have Rabbi already! Man, time moves on quicker and Kaplan with us. He has been very well received C quicker the older we get. as our interim Rabbi and I am sure he will be a For me personally, this has been a very eventful leading candidate for the full time position. Our year. At the top of the list, unfortunately, my Board and committees are doing our due mother passed away this year. Even though I am diligence in our search. in my fifties and I was fortunate to have her this Another very unfortunate event that happened long, in good health, and all there mentally until this year is the terrible health issue encountered the end, it is still a hard part of life. by our beloved Cantor, Mark Opatow. For us, it I only hope she is looking down on me (and all has been disappointing to not have his beautiful of us) and is proud of me. This is my hope. I music, as well as his presence. Think about him also lost another very good friend, not a member for a second, which I'm sure most of you have, of our community, who I will also dearly miss. such a gifted musician and to have it all taken This is life. away. I cannot imagine. Mark is truly an On a brighter note, I have been very blessed with example of Rabbi Kushner's book, When Bad three great kids. I am so proud of each and every Things Happen to Good People. I hope you will one of them. Also, the economy in Mobile all remember him in your prayers; as most of seems to really be picking up which is good for you know, he is a wonderful human being. all of us. Hopefully, it will stay that way for a I would like to take this opportunity to wish long while. everyone a happy and healthy New Year. May It has also been a year of change for us here at this year be everyone's best ever! Sha’arai Shomayim. After 28 years, we have a Alan V Hirsch, President new Rabbi. We all miss Rabbi Kundstadt and wish him the best in his retirement. His service

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The 2016 Mobile Jewish Film Festival January 10 – 24, 2016

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Sunday, January 10th – 2:00 p.m. - The Reita Franco Memorial Film – Rosenwald The incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, the son of an immigrant peddler who never finished high school, but rose to become the President of Sears.

Tuesday, January 12th - 7:00 p.m. – USA Laidlaw Center – Phoenix The film follows Nelly Lenz, a Holocaust survivor and former cabaret singer, who returns to Berlin after undergoing facial reconstruction surgery for damage caused by a bullet wound.

Wednesday, January 13th – 7:00 p.m. - USA Laidlaw Center - The Green Prince Mosab Hassan Yousef grows up angry and ready to fight Israel. Arrested for smuggling guns at the age of 17, he’s interrogated by the Shin Bet, Israel’s security service, and sent to prison. But shocked by Hamas’s ruthless tactics in the prison and the organization’s escalating campaign of suicide bombings outside, Mosab agrees to spy for Israel.

Thursday, January 14th - 7:00 p.m. – USA Laidlaw Center – Dough Jonathan Pryce stars as an old Jewish baker whose faltering business is inadvertently saved by his young Muslim apprentice in the British dramedy DOUGH. This is a warmhearted and gently humorous story about overcoming prejudice and finding redemption in unexpected places.

Sunday, January 17th – 2:00 p.m. - Springhill Avenue Temple - Secrets of War As conflict rages across Europe in the summer of 1943, 12-year-old best friends Tuur and Lambert are all but oblivious to the danger. Reality begins to divide families, with Tuur’s father joining a resistance movement, while Lambert’s parents ally themselves with the Nazi party. Suitable for children 10 and older.

Tuesday, January 19th – 7:00 p.m. - USA Fairhope Campus - A Blind Hero This incredible docudrama tells the little-known story of Berlin brush and broom manufacturer Otto Weidt who uses cunning and payoffs to save his staff, most of them Jewish and most of them blind, from the Gestapo.

Wednesday, January 20th – 7:00 p.m. - Bernheim Hall, Main Library - Hester Street Black and white cinematography adds an air of veracity to the charming period drama Hester Street (1975). Carol Kane plays Gitl, a young Jewish woman who is in for a rude awakening when she travels from Russia to New York’s Lower East Side in 1896 to join her husband Jake after several years apart.

Thursday, January 21st – 7:00 p.m. - Ahavas Chesed Synagogue - Once in a Lifetime A dedicated history teacher at a French high school taps lessons of the Holocaust in an effort to motivate her troubled students. Determined to give the best education she can to her inner-city pupils, overcoming their apathy, however, is more difficult than expected. Based on a true story.

Sunday, January 24th – 2:00 p.m. - Ahavas Chesed Synagogue - Deli Man This deli documentary explores Jewish culture as it reflects the heart of a vital ethnic history. In Houston, third- generation deli man Ziggy Gruber has built arguably the finest delicatessen restaurant in the U.S, Kenny & Ziggy’s. His story – augmented by the stories of iconic delis such as Katz’s, 2nd Avenue Deli, Nate ‘n Al, Carnegie, and the Stage – embodies a tradition indelibly linked to its savory, nostalgic foods. Followed by a performance of Broadway showtunes and delicious deli!

More info, tickets, and to watch a trailer visit mobilejewishfederation.org

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Family Hanukkah Service & Menorah Lighting Photos courtesy of Liz Fry

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FROM OUR LIBRARY COMMITTEE By Maud Patterson, Committee Chair

The Library Committee acknowledges with grateful thanks the contribution of Frank Anderson’s expertise and effort. Frank has transferred a number of our VHS tapes to DVD, so that they are again accessible to congregants who may wish to check them out.

Our collection now numbers 4 CDs and 20 DVD tapes. We encourage you to access and enjoy them!

FROM OUR SISTERHOOD & MEN’S CLUB By Iris Ginsberg, Sisterhood President and Nate Ginsberg, Men’s Club President What a great Hanukkah we had at the Temple. There The Men’s Club did a great job preparing the latkes. were close to 100 people in attendance. They started at 1:00 p.m. and finished at 7:00 p.m. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this a The cooking group seems to grow every year. It has special event, especially the Chairman, Susan Fox. become a very popular event. If you did not see them This was her first function and she was terrific. Thank on Fox-10 News on Monday morning, December you to Ada Small for setting up the arts and craft 14th, please go to the Fox-10 website. Richard Rose, event. The children loved all the projects. David Rose, and Nate Ginsberg cooked latkes on two different morning segments. The Rabbi was on the The service by Rabbi Kaplan was wonderful and the third segment and he did a terrific job explaining First Annual Menorah Lighting outside of the Temple about Hanukkah. It is great having the Temple was great. Thank you to Howard Silverman for represented by all of these men. making the beautiful metal and wood menorah and to the choir for lifting our spirits for the holiday.

FROM OUR SHALIACH, ARAD LERNER

Happy New Year! Then in the evening, I remember all of us kids stayed outside till really late. The base was I hope you all had a great time in 2015 and, of located on a hill and there were some Arab course, on New Year’s Eve. villages around us that we could see while we sat One of my strongest and pretty much only on the benches outside our rooms. We were memories I have from New Year’s Eve in Israel talking about our experiences from the day, (since most of my life I was asleep by midnight probably things like Pokémon or whatever we and the other three times, I was serving in the IDF, were interested at the time, when suddenly we saw so there weren’t a lot of celebrations) is from lots and lots of fireworks from one of the villages when I was in middle school. nearby. It reminded us that it was New Year’s and that we were stuck at the base while people were Our school took us to participate in the outside having fun. But we decided to make our “GAD”NA”, which are the initials for G’dooday own little party. We got some music and we Noar, that translates into English as Youth greeted each other with a Happy New Year. Battalions, but it actually is a “pretend” military training. Our commanders are real IDF soldiers, We celebrate New Year’s in Israel, but I guess it is but the intention is to resemble an IDF training. not as big as it is here. We have parties and get- Some of us kids took it as a game and some of us togethers just like in the rest of the world. (me) took it very seriously. I ran, crawled, I wish you all to achieve everything on your list jumped, and obeyed all the commands the best I for this year, Happy New Year! could, even in the rain. Arad

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MAZEL TOV! to Elaine & Ron Berman, proud grandparents of Jacob Zachary, born November 26, 2015 to Mary Gordon and Jason Berman of Singapore, Singapore. and to

Sandra & Harvey Gandler on the marriage of their granddaughter, Carlie Gotlieb to Alex Cohen on November 11, 2015 in Birmingham, AL

LIMMUDFEST 2016

Limmud is an international organization, which sponsors conferences in major cities around the world giving people of all backgrounds a chance to celebrate Shabbat and learn about different approaches to Judaism. They are a volunteer led organization, which has a well-deserved reputation for creating events with a lively vibe and an interesting social environment. Their goal is to harness the energy of people from all parts of the Jewish community and to create exciting conferences that most will be inspired by and will come away from with the desire to learn more and do more. Local, national, and international presenters will be speaking on a range of topics. I will be presenting, as well.

Springhill Avenue Temple is organizing a group to attend the 2016 LimmudFest in New Orleans. This is an adult conference, but there is a special track for young adults and teens. Interested parties should contact Rabbi Kaplan ([email protected]), Michael Holberg (Michael Holberg ([email protected]), Michael Friedlander ([email protected]), Michael Pereira ([email protected]), and Maure Sternberg ([email protected]).

The Shabbaton begins at Congregation Gates of Prayer on Friday, March 18 thru Saturday, March 19, and learning at the Lavin-Bernick Center on the campus of Tulane University on Sunday, March 20. We plan to leave Mobile around noon on Friday, March 18, 2016.

We are collecting registration checks made payable to “Limmud NOLA”, which are $75 for adults, $40 for young adults (18-30) and $15 for teens. This includes all of the programming, most meals and even some snacks, which makes this the best deal you are ever going to get! You can also register online, but we prefer that you register through us so that we can help with carpooling and other technical details related to getting to New Orleans. The program itself begins with Friday night services at the Reform Temple, Gates of Prayer, in Metairie. More details can be found on page 9. Checks can be mailed to the Temple Office.

Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan

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FROM OUR ARCHIVES By Susan Thomas, Archivist survivors were nieces and nephews. Flora was n the November 2015 bulletin, I wrote about very active in the Government Street Temple my search for information on Edward and then at Springhill Avenue Temple and I Forcheimer, husband of Flora Zimmern contributed regularly to Temple fund drives. Forcheimer. Earlier we had been contacted She never remarried and did not have any by an attorney who was trying to establish if children. Edward and Flora had any descendants. Edward’s relationship to the Mobile Several people contacted me to provide more Forcheimers remains unclear. One source, an details on the life of Edward Forcheimer. I individual who has done extensive genealogical found out that he was born in Pensacola and research on Jewish families in Pensacola, told that his father, Gerson Forcheimer, was a me that she thought Edward’s father Gerson founding member of the Temple Bethel of that had a brother, Abraham Forcheimer, who city. After marrying Flora in 1905, they relocated to Mobile from Pensacola. However, apparently lived in Pensacola. Edward died our records do not mention an Abraham May 24, 1924 and was buried in Pensacola in Forcheimer. Whether or not Abraham was the temple cemetery. His obituary listed two related to the Mobile Forcheimers has not yet brothers, Nathan and Bennie Forcheimer, and been established. three sisters, Mrs. A. Lischkoff, Mrs. Estelle Perhaps our remaining questions about Edward Dannheisser, and Mrs. Eva Greenhut, all of Forcheimer will one day be answered by other Pensacola. researchers tracing their family roots. Apparently, after Edward’s death, Flora Meanwhile, again, our Archives’ records have returned to Mobile where she eventually died in been enhanced by the information we have 1977. Although it appears she lived in received on these families from other Pensacola for 19 years following her marriage researchers. to Edward, her obituary described her as “a lifelong resident of Mobile.” Her only

The Book of Job Jewish Text Study & Discussion (For Temple members and those interested in joining our congregation)

Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00 p.m.

If interested, please contact any member of the Jewish Studies Task Force for details

Deborah Sack - [email protected] - 251-604-3205 Alton Sack – [email protected] - 251-604-1214 Robin Ayers - [email protected] – Home: 251-621-3280; Cell: 251-391-7503 Carol Eberlein - [email protected] – Home: 251-928-9578; Cell: 251- 533-7474 Carol Zimmerman - [email protected] – Home: 251-990-3060; Cell: 251-591-1113

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CONTRIBUTIONS

In honor of Mimi Holberg’s birthday – Iris & Nate Ginsberg

In honor of Bobette & Lowell Friedman’s 65th Wedding Anniversary – Laura & Walter Levy, Jean Fry

In honor of the birth of Elaine & Ron Berman’s grandson, Jacob Zachary – Iris & Nate Ginsberg

In memory of Joel Silverman – Jennifer & James Ayers, Linda & Leon Dykes

In memory of Lila Kogon – Bobette & Lowell Friedman, Amy & Jack Friedlander, Bob Feinberg, Iris & Albert Klein, Laura & Walter Levy, Sandra & Harvey Gandler, Iris & Nate Ginsberg

In memory of Ellen Eber – Jill Gottlieb

In memory of Herman Kopelman – Iris & Albert Klein

In memory of Gretchen Weinstein – Lucy & Steve Weinstein

In memory of Joshua Fetterman – Iris & Albert Klein

In memory of Ricki Susman – Eileen Susman

In memory of Peter Susman – Eileen Susman

In memory of Lisa Graney – Eileen Susman

In memory of Carol Kopelman – Iris & Albert Klein

YAHRZEIT

It is a true Mitzvah to honor those whose memory we hold dear by attending services on the Shabbat Yahrzeit (year’s time), joining your congregation in reciting Kaddish, and the giving of charity in their memory.

January 1 Emma Rheinstrom, Joseph Kogon, Lucille Schwarz, Marcus Cecil Pierce, James Zelnicker, Ethel Mutchnick, Betty Schwarz, Antoinette Pollock Altmayer

January 8 Jean Rose Kozlove, Benjamin Gup, Fannye Silverstein, Harry Kogon, Claire Sternberg Preston, Jack Silverman

January 15 Hazel Cohen Becker, Betty Julius, Milton Kozlove, Clara Rosenbaum, William Slepian, Susan Sparks, Esther Friedman, Milton Goldberg, Celia Sobel, Jean Angstreich, Amelia Piser, Barnetta Rosenberg Allen

January 22 Mildred Gandler, Harry Paper, Jack Silverman, Dorothy Kuhr Small

January 29 Tom Aycock, Louis Heir, Ilse Klein, Evelyn Nathan Friedman, Barry David Garden, Leonard Gandler, Annie Friedlander Maisel - 8 -

Congregation Sha’arai Shomayim SPRINGHILL AVENUE TEMPLE

Springhill Avenue Temple is organizing a group to attend the 2016 LimmudFest in New Orleans. This is an adult conference but there is a special track for young adults and teens. Interested parties should contact Rabbi Kaplan ([email protected]), Michael Holberg (Michael Holberg ([email protected]), Michael Friedlander ([email protected]), Mike Pereira ([email protected]), and Maure Sternberg ([email protected]).

More Info Shabbaton at Congregation Gates of Prayer on Friday, March 18 thru Saturday, March 19, and learning at the Lavin-Bernick Center on the campus of Tulane University on Sunday, March 20.

Local, national, and international presenters will be speaking on a range of topics.

Over 90 sessions across ten tracks

Arts & Culture Contemporary Jewish Life & Identity Family History Israel Social Justice Southern Jewish Life Spirituality Text & Thought Food

Early Bird Registration (deadline January 31st) – Adult – 3-day pass (adults over 30) - $75.00 Young Adult – 3-day pass (18-30 years) - $40.00 Teens – 3-day pass (under 18) - $15.00

Snacks and meals throughout the weekend except for breakfast on Saturday

Friday, March 18 @ Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metarie 5:30 p.m. - Registration 6:00 p.m. - Shabbat Service Shabbos dinner w/programming

Saturday, March 19 @ Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metarie Several Shabbat Services Lunch followed by three (3) sessions of learning Light dinner w/Havdalah later Evening entertainment

Sunday, March 20 @ Tulane University – breakfast snacks, snacks, water, and coffee provided all day Five (5) or six (6) sessions Lunch between 3rd and 4th session Closing program

Accommodations – Home hospitality is available; several hotels are located in Metarie close to Gates of Prayer and on St. Charles Avenue not too far from Tulane University

For more info: limmudnola.org

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Rabbi would like your email address. If we do not already have an email on file for you, please call or email the Temple with this information.

The NFTY Adventure Program is a unique and challenging four week summer experience created especially for teens who seek a meaningful and exciting journey to Israel filled with amazing memories and friendships which will last a lifetime.

Registration Deadlines: Early Bird – January 4, 2016; Final – May 1, 2016. Most families register from October through December. After May 1st applications will be accepted on a space available basis. For more info - www.nftyisrael.org

Programs for Every Child Scholarships Available for First-Time and Continuing Campers

URJ Jacobs Camp (jacobs.urjcamps.org) is a Reform Jewish summer camp in Utica, MS serving children from the Deep South entering grades Pre-K to 12. Since 1970, Jacobs campers have developed new skills, learned from a dynamic staff, and engaged with Jewish values. Plan now for a great summer experience! Registration is now open!

This is the most important Jewish experience that you can give your son or daughter. Young adults who attend a URJ camp almost always come back with tremendous enthusiasm for .

Jacobs’ campers participate in a wide variety of athletic, recreational, and creative activities, which seek to strike a balance between skill development and personal enjoyment. There are six areas of specialty activity offerings: adventure, aquatics, digital media, performing arts, sports, and visual arts.

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Temple youth will be able to receive a $1,000 incentive grant for Camp tuition for first-time campers and $500 for continuing campers. These funds are in addition to the first time campers scholarship program of $1,000 from the Goldring Family Foundation. In addition to these scholarships, supplemental funding may also be available.

Interested parents should contact Rabbi Kaplan at the Springhill Avenue Temple for more information (251)478-0415

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January Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday To … 3 Claris Feibelman 13 Vicki Silverman-Lugar 27 Majorie Altmayer 3 Stacy Goode 14 Judy Dittman 28 Andrew Brown 4 Ann Miller 14 Madison Friduss 29 Daniel Kinsella 6 Nan Altmayer 17 LeNae Denson 30 Joshua Mutchnick 6 Diane Garden-Monheit 18 Terry Passman 6 Alice Rose Handmacher 18 Corine Younge Happy Anniversary To ... 6 Mimi Holberg 20 William Baron 29 Susan & Terry Passman 7 Jane Rosner Allen 21 Lowell Friedman 30 Dana & David Furman 7 Phillip Feibelman 21 Ryan Fusco 7 Emily Schultz 22 Stephanie Dittman 8 Jeff Conrad 22 Sam Lansky 9 Lynne Switzkey 24 Barbara Cherniak 10 Will Kinsella 25 Hugh Borak 10 William Susman 25 Debra Fetterman 11 Alan Franco 25 Deanne Schjott 11 Harvey Gandler 26 Jonathan Hirsch

February Birthdays and Anniversaries

1 Caitlin Brown 9 Dori Claire Small 18 Violet Glassbrook 1 Sydnie Susman 11 Jan Friedlander 19 Gabriel Fry 2 Adam Miller 11 Larry Miller 19 Margeoux Silverstein 2 Bill Shulman 12 Bobette Friedman 21 Darbie Sidie 3 Lisa Magnes 13 Jay Altmayer 22 Claire Aycock 4 Rachel Goldberg 13 Aaron Solomon 22 Alan Hirsch 4 Joanne Koffler 13 Samantha Zimmerman 22 Sam Holberg 4 Enid Laden 15 Phil Magnes 25 Christopher Kinsella 5 Kathryn Friedlander 16 Brion Berman 26 Diane Frank 5 Katherine Miles 16 Mark Friedlander 27 Norma Conrad 6 Evan Webster 16 Perrye Lewis 9 Dolores Loeb 18 Joy Gardberg Happy Anniversary To ... 22 Rose & Phillip Brunson 23 Carol & Matt Eberlein

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Dana Evan Kaplan, Interim Rabbi Jerry Silverstein, Second Vice-President Alan Hirsch, President Aaron Solomon, Treasurer J. Michael Pereira, First Vice-President Maure Sternberg, Secretary

CALENDAR

Torah Study Wednesday 5:30 p.m. January 6 and 27 (no Torah Study for 13 or 20)

Weekly Torah Saturday s 10:00 a.m. January 9, 16, 23, and 30

Hebrew School Sundays 8:30 a.m. January 3, 10, 24, and 31 (no Hebrew School for January 17)

Religious School Sundays 9:45 a.m. January 3, 10, 24, and 31 (no Religious School for January 17)



Tuesday, January 5 6:00 p.m. The Book of Job Study Group (see page 7 for details)

Sunday, January 10 2:00 p.m. Mobile Jewish Film Festival Begins @ Springhill Avenue Temple (see page 3 for full schedule)

Friday, January 22 6:00 p.m. 1844 Historical Shabbat Service with the Professional & Congregational Choir

Sunday, January 24 2:00 p.m. Mobile Jewish Film Festival Ends @ Ahavas Chesed Synagogue (see page 3 for full schedule)

THE TEMPLE BULLETIN (USPS- 966-900) is published monthly by Springhill Avenue Temple, 1769 Springhill Avenue Mobile, AL 36607. “Periodicals Postage Paid at Mobile, Alabama.”

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 1769 Springhill Ave. Mobile, AL 36607 - 12 -