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Shalom News March 2017

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Shalom News March 2017 URJ AFFILIATED WITH THE UNON FOR REFORM MARCH 2017 IN THIS ISSUE ASK THE RABBI 13 BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES 15 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 23 CONTRIBUTIONS 3,17,18 LIBRARY NEWS 8 MEMBERSHP 15 MEN’S CLUB 12 ONEG SPONSORS 16 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 3 PROGRAMS 6 PURIM CELEBRATION RABBI’S DESK 2 AND SISTERHOOD 11 SCHPEIL SOCIAL ACTION 7 SPOTLIGHT BETH ISRAEL 4-10 TRIBUTE CARDS 14 NO WORDS SPOKEN, JUST COSTUMES AND YAHRZEITS 19 PANTOMIME SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 7:30 PM Shalom News Published monthly by HAMENTASHEN, GOODIES AND WINE TASTING Beth Israel TO FOLLOW The Jewish Congregation Editor Robin Kitzmiller (813) 645-9154 E-mail [email protected] PLEASE JOIN ININ THE FUN! Web www.jcscc.org Beth Israel, The Jewish Congregation of Sun City Center, is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism FROM THE RABBI’S DESK Rabbi Carla Freedman Some years, Purim seems like a silly holiday…with costumes, skits and graggers contending for our attention. This year it feels like welcome relief from news that is endlessly challenging to our equilibrium. Purim itself is a strange event on the Jewish calendar. First, it is based on the only book of the Hebrew Bible of which not a scrap has been found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, to date. Second, it does not mention God at all. Third, its story has no relationship to real persons or events known from Persian history, despite the fact that the story is set in the Persian court. The distinguished Bible scholar Robert Alter finds many indications in the narrative that the whole thing was written for entertain- ment purposes. He says it has been described as “a farce, a burlesque, a satire, a fairy tale and a carnivalesque narrative…with sly sexual comedy playing a significant role”. The names of the two prominent Jews, Esther and Mordechai, are reminiscent of names of the Per- sian deities, Ishtar and Marduk (little known fact: Esther’s Hebrew name was Hadass). Jewish tradition tells us that we are supposed to celebrate Purim so enthusiastically that we cannot distinguish between Haman and Mordechai….that would require a lot of Manischewitz! If the story cannot be pinned to historical events, then the timing of the celebration, coming close to Mardi Gras many years, seems fortuitous. For Roman Catholics, Mardi Gras is the blowing off of steam before the somber and serious period of Lent begins, while for Jews, Purim comes at the end (we hope) of winter, letting us shed the burdens of the long, bleak winter in anticipation of the joys of spring and summer. All the other occasions on our calendar have serious rituals associated with them. Pesakh is loaded with such rituals; Chanukah has the candle lighting; Sukkot has …the sukkah; Rosh HaShanah has the blowing of the shofar; Yom Kippur has fasting and repenting of sins. But Purim has no serious bone in its body. Some Jewish adults think Purim is a kids’ holiday, because we have made it so. But it really is an adult occasion (see paragraphs 2 and 4, above!). And we at Beth Israel do it up right. This year we will have a pantomime of the Purim story, to be followed by a tasting of wines that are kosher- for-Pesakh, and we’ll have genuine, home-made (by Sandy and Sam Zians) hamantashen (and other wine-compatible nibblies). So come to the Purim shpiel on Sunday, March 12 at 7:30 pm…get into the spirit of silly, and wear a costume! And enjoy this very unusual Jewish holiday…it only comes round once every year! 2 President’s Message Joanne Sudman As a teenager, one of the most poignant moments of my life, at the time, was the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. It was his moving acceptance speech with the now famous line: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This philosophy is true to every as- pect of our lives including what we do at Beth Israel. I know what our congregation gives many of you: family, spirituality, friendship, caring, education, laughter, love. The big question is what can you do for Beth Israel? There are many ways to give back… sponsor an oneg, take an honor for Shabbat services, join the group of men and women who visit those who are sick, volunteer to help at one of our great programs or fundraisers, for example. Today we need you to volunteer to take over the Communication Directors responsibilities that were laid out in the last Shalom News. Volunteers are also needed to join the Facilities and Maintenance Committee which maintains the integrity of our building. Now is the time to think about giving back to Beth Israel, your home away from home. Please call me if you have any interest in filling these positions (513-519 -6897). Some important events are taking place in April that you will want to attend so please mark your calendars for the Yom Hashoa service on Monday night, April 24 at 7 PM. I will announce where we will have the service in next month’s Shalom News. The Faith Community along with the Charitable Foundation of SCC will once again support the local food pantries with an afternoon of Cabaret on Sunday, April 30 at 2 PM in the Community Hall. Tickets will be available in March. Cantor Glenn and Micki will be part of this program. Heart to heart, Joanne RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND DONATIONS PAUL & ERICA LEINO IN APPRECIATION OF THE RABBI’S SERVICES PAUL & MARLENE SPIEGAL IN HONOR OF THE BNAI TORAH CLASS JACQUELINE SCHINDLER IN MEMORY OF HER NEPHEW RICHARD & MARSHA MARSHALL IN HONOR OF THE BNAI TORAH CLASS BONNIE & PETER SOBEL BONNIE DONATED HER “BIG WINNINGS” FROM THE SISTERHOOD RAFFLE TO THE RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND 3 In honor of heart month, February 7th, Beth Israel Sisterhood had a program for members and the public to listen to a talk about vitamin supplements, natural remedies and food-drug interactions. It was given by Sujith Idiculla, the pharmacy manager of the Sun City Center Walgreens. 75 people attended and all enjoyed this great learning experience. Led by Barb Nova and Rochelle Lafer, Beth Israel’s annual Rummage Sale, held on February 14th, was a great success. Beautiful merchandise, hard workers, good listeners and wonderful cooperation all contrib- uted to an event that was, as Barb Nova said “well above anything I have ever experienced”. 4 March 24th and 25th Paul Storfer and Friends Are bringing their music to share with us And to honor Kathy’s memory of music and faith On March 24 and 25, Paul Storfer and some musical friends will be participating in our services....he has not been back since his wife Kathy died in November 2015. This time he will again be accompanied by David (the lit- tle drummer boy) Kane and his wife Carrie, and by Bar- bara Orwick, the pianist who accompanied and sang with the choir that Kathy led. The music will be wonder- ful...and a touch sad, of course. Paul feels strongly that this congregation has a place in his heart, as it did for Kathy...and we have a place for them, of course, in our hearts. let's do our best to "make a joyful noise unto Adonai"...as the Psalms say! 5 Glazer Jewish Community Center Trip On Sunday, March 5th, the temple will be sponsoring a trip to the Glazer Jewish Community Center, where we have arranged for a guided tour of this new and amazing facility. Afterwards, we will have lunch together in a nearby restaurant (pay your own way) and then re- turn to Beth Israel. Look for the sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board and let us know whether you can drive or if you will need a ride. The tour will begin at 12:00 noon, so we will meet at the temple in time to leave no later than 11:15 that morning. Email Micki Groper [email protected] for more information or to sign up. Hope you can join us! The Program Committee 6 Women of Faith Meet and Greet March 22, 2017 10:00 at Beth Israel Jewish Congregation Shabbat Dinner Enjoy Shabbat dinner with friends at Temple Beth Israel on Friday Evening, March 3, at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be catered by “Edibles by Ethel.” Ethel Pila has been preparing delicious food for the Tampa Bay Area since 1994. You can find her at www.ediblesbyethel.net SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE BARBARA NOva *Beth Israel continues to volunteer at St Andrews Church serving meals to those who need them. It is part of Metropolitan Ministery program. *This month Beth Israel is participating in the Meals of Hope sponsored by the Rotary Club of SCC and Kings Point. 22 people are scheduled to be there. *Beth Israel is continuing to participate in the planning of the upcoming Cabaret with the Faith community, happening on April 30. 7 Beth Israel Library News MARCH 20 – Monday Afternoon – 1:00-3:00 PM – 3rd Monday MAGGIE ANTON – Sip and Skype - National Jewish Book Award finalist Fifty Shades of Talmud What the First Rabbis Had to Say About You-Know-What Festival of Jewish Books & Conversations in Partnership with the Tampa JCC Maggie will chat with us from her home in California Advanced registration appreciated. Please sign-up at Temple or [email protected]. $5 registration for this event includes something to sip and something to nosh.
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