November 2016 ~ Tishrei/Nisan 5777 Volume 164, Number 5 November
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A VIEW FROM THE BIMAH November 2016 ~ Tishrei/Nisan 5777 I would like to use this having to think about participating. MARK THE DATE . month’s column to reflect Some prefer a magnificent choir – and on our recent experience they are – while others have suggested COMING UP NOW with the High Holy Days. that a soloist on the bimah would bring Friday, October 28, 6 PM, New Member more warmth and connectedness with We were fortunate this Shabbat. A wine and cheese reception will those in the pews. Some prefer to stay year to be able to use pre- follow Shabbat service. with old prayer books, citing a certain publication “piloting” Saturday, October 29, 9:30 AM, Shabbat comfort level; others prefer the new, editions of the new morning service and Torah study with Rabbi and talk of not wanting to stagnate, but Reform High Holy Day Stevens. Light brunch served. have fresh forms of prayer to stay Prayerbook, Mishkan Hanefesh COMING UP SOON engaged. Even with transliteration as (“Tabernacle of the Soul”), for four of an aid to reading, some love having that Thursday, November 3, 7 PM, our services this year. Mishkan option, while others find it only Blachschleger Library Annual Lecture Hanefesh was published this past year, Series guest speaker is Mary Ann Neeley, confusing. and in the years leading up to Montgomery's preeminent local historian. publication, softcover piloting editions Finding the right balance is also a Light refreshments. were produced for Rosh Hashanah challenge in planning individual Thursday, November 10, 11 AM, L'Chaim evening, and for the evening, morning services – the use of lay readers, for League's Thanksgiving lunch and bingo for and afternoon services on Yom Kippur. example, or how we handle the section Capital Heights Senior Home. L'Chaim League's Thanksgiving lunch and bingo for When a congregation in Los Angeles of Torah readings. Capital Heights Senior Home. purchased the full hardcover edition, My own preference will be to VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. MEMBERSHIP making available these services for the recommend adoption of Mishkan IN L’CHAIM NOT NECESSARY. Call the cost of shipping, we snapped them up. Hanefesh as our new High Holy Day Temple office for details. Like our Shabbat book, Mishkan T’filah prayer book, as have hundreds of Friday, November 11, 6 PM, Shabbat (“Tabernacle of Prayer”), Mishkan service with full choir ensemble. Reform congregations around the Hanefesh includes elegant translations, Saturday, November 12, 9:30 AM, country. I have long since become full transliteration throughout and many Shabbat morning service and Torah study uncomfortable with male-dominated spiritually uplifting readings to with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. language, especially referring to God, supplement the core texts. Thursday, November 17, 7 PM, Jewish and love the gender inclusive liturgies Book Council author Joel M. Hoffman, Adding to our experience this year, we used in Reform prayer books since the PhD, discusses his book "The Bible Doesn't introduced some new singers into our 1980’s. The transliteration made a very Say That." Sponsored by the Rothschild- choir, a new Director in Becky Taylor, noticeable difference, as most everyone Blachschleger Lecture Series. along with some new settings to joined in reading Hebrew blessings Friday, November 18, 5 PM, Family complement the traditional music we together – as is now the norm on Chavurah "Tot" Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children have heard for years; for the first time Shabbat. Mishkan Hanefesh is also of all ages. our choir was accompanied by both much less about Jewish particularism Friday, November 18, 6 PM, Shabbat keyboard and organ – and in one than about our quest for spiritual uplift Service. Celebrating 170 years since the selection also by Clare Weil on violin and our search for transcendence. Its organization of our Montgomery Jewish who also maintained her long-standing lack of “stage directions” gives us more community. A champagne oneg follows the tradition of playing Kol Nidrei on Yom flexibility in how we worship together. service. Kippur. We even heard the occasional Tuesday, November 22, 7 PM, Joint I also believe that this year’s musical tambourine or bells. Thanksgiving Service with First United presentation was generally on the mark, Methodist Church and Church of the Finding the right balance of elements is and well received – though in need of Ascension. Held at Church of the Ascension no easy task. Some people prefer to tweaking (some pieces can be dropped; at 315 Clanton Avenue. Reception follows. hear the music of Shabbat, because they the Erev Rosh Hashanah service was Saturday, December 3, 10 AM, Cindy know it well; others prefer to hear the too long, and the tambourine and bells Kaufman Bat Mitzvah more traditional holy day motifs. Some did not resonate well [pun intended!]). want to sing along; others want to sit I am also pleased that we had the best back and let beautiful music wash over attendance yet at Tashlich – casting our them, deriving a sense of sanctity in not continued on page 10 continued on page 14 Volume 164, Number 5 November 2016 ~ Tishrei/Nisan 5777 Celebrating Our 164th Year President’s Message Since April 12, 1852 ELLIOT L. STEVENS, D. D., RABBI The month of October is ending and for the first time in my recent David A. Baylinson, D. D., Rabbi Emeritus memory, the High Holy Days as well as the festivals of Sukkoth Temple Beth Or Officers and Simchat Torah all were celebrated in the same month. John Ives ......................................... President Beginning with Rosh Hashanah, we enjoyed the beautiful music Steve Clein ..................................... Vice-President: Programs Joe Levin ........................................ Vice-President: Finance of our choir as well as using the pilot books of Mishkan Hanefesh, Larry Capilouto .............................. Treasurer the new holy day prayer books. The feedback from you regarding Gracie Hanchrow ........................... Secretary Diane Weil ...................................... Immediate Past President the prayer books as well as the music has been, for the most part, Board Members overwhelmingly positive. As such, the Ritual Committee has Harriette Dorosin ............................ Adult Education recommended and the Board has approved the adoption of Pete Hitchcock................................ Cemetery Jim Levy ......................................... Youth & Scholarship Mishkan Hanefesh as the new books for the Holy Days. Jeff McKinney ................................ Religion School Sheryl Rosen .................................. Hospitality The new prayer books are a two volume set and will be purchased Steve Wallace ................................. Facilities for less than $35 after our discount. We are reaching out to our Bob Weisberg ................................. Co-Membership Alison Williamson ......................... Co-Membership members to order these books through contributions to the Prayer SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT . MEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT Book Fund, which can be acknowledged as a memorial Susan Finklestein Pete Ginsburg remembrance, as an honor to a family member or simply as a gift from you. I hope that you will all help us reach the goal of Temple Beth Or Staff Gina Friday ..................................... Temple Administrator purchasing these new prayer books for our congregation. Elana Hagler ................................... Religion School Co-director Kerry Bleiberg ................................ Religion School Co-director Regarding the security system that I have previously written Linda Smith .................................... L’Chaim League about, I wanted you to know that 8 of the 10 cameras are now Marlon Cotton ................................ Maintenance Manager Becky Taylor .................................. Music Director installed and functioning. This system will provide 24 hour Temple Singers ............................... Pete Hitchcock, Michelle Lott, coverage of the exterior of the building and drives and we feel Shane Nishibun, Tiffany Nishibun, David Peden, James Seay, Mabs Seay, Bill Taylor, Turia Stark Williams that it will be instrumental in helping to keep the Temple and the grounds safe. Office Hours Monday CLOSED Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 9-4 Sunday was Simchat Torah, the celebration of the Torah. We Friday 9-2 unrolled the scroll which was held by all those present as the 2246 Narrow Lane Road Montgomery, AL 36106 Rabbi read from the end of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Office: [email protected] Genesis. It signifies the continuity of our religion and its Rabbi: [email protected] www.templebethor.net wonderful traditions. My hope for the New Year is that more of (334) 262-3314 Tel (334) 263-5183 Fax you will make an even greater effort to experience the beauty and Please call Gina Friday at 262-3314 to report any corrections community of our Shabbat services. or inaccuracies in the bulletin. See you in Temple! Please be understanding of others when you come to Temple by John Ives avoiding heavily scented perfumes, colognes and lotions. Saturday, Oct. 29 & Nov. 12 Shabbat Morning Service On Saturday mornings, October 29 and November 12th, Rabbi Stevens will lead a Shabbat morning service. Service will run from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. and include Torah study and a light brunch. 2 Contributions to Funds We greatly appreciate the people who support Temple Beth Or by remembering and honoring Birthday and their friends and loved