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Kesher Winter 2017-18.Cdr Wise Temple KWORSHIP | esher STUDY | SOCIAL JUSTICE | COMMUNITY Getting Serious About Social Action page 4 KISLEV/TEVET/SH’VAT/ADAR 5778 DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 From Rabbi Kamrass From the President D’varim Min HaLev – On Our Blessed Words from the Heart Obligation to Help Others —By Rabbi Lewis Kamrass —By Elissa Habib, Temple President As the weather turns colder, we find One of my most cherished feelings 6 7 our patterns affected: shorter days, and about being Jewish is the role perhaps a little more free time than the tzedakah and mitzvot play in our active seasons of summer and fall. While we may retreat to faith. As Mitchell and I taught our girls about what it 18 25 warm and safe settings, we still live in a world where means to be Jewish, we made it a central part of our 20 percent of all American children live with food insecurity family and their lives. It is no wonder that both of our girls in homes at or below the poverty level. We still live in a world have chosen to dedicate their lives to making a positive where people just a few miles away struggle daily to meet impact in the lives of others, and we could not be more basic needs like shelter, food, or even the essentials of caring proud. for their children, such as diapers. And since our Judaism As a congregation, we have so many opportunities to commands us that “you shall not be indifferent,” engage our families in this core component of our faith, (Deuteronomy 22:3) we are commanded to remember that bringing the joy of giving and building connective tissue 19 the world of those who live without that security is indeed, with our children. Additionally, there is no better way to our world. make new friends and build lifelong connections than by That is why our congregation has a long and significant participating with other congregants in one of the many record of social action involvement. We do not believe our page Features page Study opportunities provided by our Temple to give back to the shelter for families will solve the problems of homelessness, 3 From Rabbi Lewis Kamrass 17 Avid Learners Rejoice! Introducing community we call home. 3 From Elissa Habib, Temple President Distance-Wise but it will speak to the real needs of those to whom we If you are looking for an opportunity that inspires you, 18 The “Vanished” Jews of Shanghai: provide that support and care. We do not believe our soup 4 Getting Serious About Social Action you can check out what is happening inside this issue of 20 A Touch of Torah with Rabbi Karen Conversations with Scholar-in-Residence kitchen will end hunger in Cincinnati, but it will fill the empty Thomashow Dvir Bar-Gal stomachs on that day for the hundreds who have no other Kesher, online at www.wisetemple.org/wiseup, or call the 27 8 Hours a Day, 2 Days a Week, for 18 Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in place to go. We do not believe our new social action programs Temple office, where one of our dedicated associates will Parenting 42 Years highlighted here in Kesher will solve basic needs in any global be happy to help you. way, but our efforts will lift the spirits of those we help, when I encourage you to identify the opportunities that mean page sometimes tangible help is its own significant source of the most to you and your family, and to make the precious page Calendar/Listing of Wise Journey 24 You Have a Special Delivery on the Way strength and hope. We involve ourselves in all these investment of time. I am confident you will create a Events endeavors, not because we are solving the macro problems of wonderful shared experience with your family and our Cover Photo: 13 4-Page Pull-out poverty, hunger, or homelessness, but because we are acting congregation, and deepen your connection with our faith. MJS Photography Limited page Worship and Holidays on the teaching of our faith not to be indifferent. When we www.mjsphotography.photoshelter.com 9 Rick Recht Returns to Wise Temple cease to be indifferent, we open our eyes and arms to the page Community Pictured, from left to right: 10 Make the Most of Chanukah needs of others. That is when our own vision expands, and our Ken Revelson, Jon Chaiken, 16 Get Charged with Dee W. Ieye! 10 Give the Gift of Plum Street Temple soul’s need for connection is fed. Lisa Cooper, Sherri Weiss, 19 Meet Our New Program and Membership 11 More Chanukah Happenings So perhaps this is the best time to alter our patterns and Randi Chaiken, and Jake Hodesh, Manager, Alex Burte! 12 B’nai Mitzvah open ourselves up to the opportunities provided by our who convened on an OTR street 19 14th Annual Chicken Soup Cook Off near Sweet Cheeks and 13 Worship Services congregation to not be indifferent. I invite your reflection on 22 Contributions St. Francis Seraph soup kitchen 21 Make a “Splash” at the Family Retreat that invitation, and to jump into an offering that will warm 25 How We’re Caring for the Earth for this shoot. 25 Families: FABULOUS Purim Fest Is Back! your heart and nourish your soul. And, oh yes, maybe change 26 Mazel Tov 25 Adults: Prepare for a Purim Party Like Never someone else’s life in the process. 26 Condolences Before Faithfully, 28 Spend Chanukah with Jewish Rock Pioneer Rick Recht page Social Action 7 How You Can Help This Holiday Season and Beyond 8 Collections for Kids in Need Rabbi Lewis H. Kamrass 2 | WWW.WISETEMPLE.ORG DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 From Rabbi Kamrass From the President D’varim Min HaLev – On Our Blessed Words from the Heart Obligation to Help Others —By Rabbi Lewis Kamrass —By Elissa Habib, Temple President As the weather turns colder, we find One of my most cherished feelings 6 7 our patterns affected: shorter days, and about being Jewish is the role perhaps a little more free time than the tzedakah and mitzvot play in our active seasons of summer and fall. While we may retreat to faith. As Mitchell and I taught our girls about what it 18 25 warm and safe settings, we still live in a world where means to be Jewish, we made it a central part of our 20 percent of all American children live with food insecurity family and their lives. It is no wonder that both of our girls in homes at or below the poverty level. We still live in a world have chosen to dedicate their lives to making a positive where people just a few miles away struggle daily to meet impact in the lives of others, and we could not be more basic needs like shelter, food, or even the essentials of caring proud. for their children, such as diapers. And since our Judaism As a congregation, we have so many opportunities to commands us that “you shall not be indifferent,” engage our families in this core component of our faith, (Deuteronomy 22:3) we are commanded to remember that bringing the joy of giving and building connective tissue 19 the world of those who live without that security is indeed, with our children. Additionally, there is no better way to our world. make new friends and build lifelong connections than by That is why our congregation has a long and significant participating with other congregants in one of the many record of social action involvement. We do not believe our page Features page Study opportunities provided by our Temple to give back to the shelter for families will solve the problems of homelessness, 3 From Rabbi Lewis Kamrass 17 Avid Learners Rejoice! Introducing community we call home. 3 From Elissa Habib, Temple President Distance-Wise but it will speak to the real needs of those to whom we If you are looking for an opportunity that inspires you, 18 The “Vanished” Jews of Shanghai: provide that support and care. We do not believe our soup 4 Getting Serious About Social Action you can check out what is happening inside this issue of 20 A Touch of Torah with Rabbi Karen Conversations with Scholar-in-Residence kitchen will end hunger in Cincinnati, but it will fill the empty Thomashow Dvir Bar-Gal stomachs on that day for the hundreds who have no other Kesher, online at www.wisetemple.org/wiseup, or call the 27 8 Hours a Day, 2 Days a Week, for 18 Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in place to go. We do not believe our new social action programs Temple office, where one of our dedicated associates will Parenting 42 Years highlighted here in Kesher will solve basic needs in any global be happy to help you. way, but our efforts will lift the spirits of those we help, when I encourage you to identify the opportunities that mean page sometimes tangible help is its own significant source of the most to you and your family, and to make the precious page Calendar/Listing of Wise Journey 24 You Have a Special Delivery on the Way strength and hope. We involve ourselves in all these investment of time. I am confident you will create a Events endeavors, not because we are solving the macro problems of wonderful shared experience with your family and our Cover Photo: 13 4-Page Pull-out poverty, hunger, or homelessness, but because we are acting congregation, and deepen your connection with our faith.
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