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A VIEW FROM THE BIMAH December 2016 ~ Nisan/Tevet 5777 As I write this, the Judaism teaches clearly that we have MARK THE DATE . recent election and its no monopoly on the truth – as in the very surprising outcome Talmudic teaching that “the Saturday, December 3, 10 AM, Cindy is still very much a topic righteous of all nations have a place Kaufman Bat Mitzvah of conversation, more in the World to Come” – we liberals Friday, December 9, 6 PM, Shabbat service with full choir ensemble. than just about any I can and we conservatives hold Saturday, December 17, 9:30 AM, remember. More of our absolutely legitimate though Shabbat morning service and Torah members have asked for different visions of what is best for study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch copies of my sermons our country, once we get beyond the served. before and (especially) after the expressions of bigotry and hate that Friday, December 23, 6 PM, election than for any other; these are characterized so much of this Chanukah family service and dinner now posted, thanks to Pam election cycle. Some of these with Rabbi Stevens. Service and dinner Hitchcock, on our website, at differences in political philosophy or will be held in the Social Hall. templebethor.net. Questions abound our visions of a just society go back Reservations will be needed for dinner as to what a Trump presidency will literally centuries, e.g., on whether a portion. More information to follow. mean for our economy, our foreign strong central government will be Saturday, December 24, Sunset, First candle lighting of Chanukah. relations, our relationship with more fair and effective for our Sunday, December 25, 5 PM, Dutch Israel, and our ongoing agenda in citizens that a model favoring local Treat Dinner at Mr. Chen's on Atlanta such areas as abortion rights, health control [states’ rights] and a federal Highway. RSVP to Gina Friday care, immigration law and the government whose primary concern ([email protected]) or Rabbi environment. should be restricted to certain core Stevens ([email protected]), areas, such as foreign policy and or by calling the Temple office at 334- As the tenor of our national debate keeping our country safe. Still, I 262-3314. still seems sharp and very divisive, I personally remain very wary of a Tuesday, January 10, Noon, Adult Ed: would like to reiterate my presidency that begins with Introducing the Prophets - The conclusion, from a Jewish demagoguery and bigotry, and prophetic period in the context of perspective, how important it is that without any governing experience, Jewish history, the nature of prophesy, we remember one of the core and selected readings to illustrate the and can only hope that wisdom will teachings of Torah: that we are prophetic method. prevail and our new president will created in the image of God – all Friday, January 13, 6 PM, Shabbat practice what he has preached about humanity, every one. It seems service with full choir ensemble. almost like a platitude to say so, but being president for all Americans. Saturday, January 14, 9:30 AM, think of the implication in terms, for I don’t think it’s too much of a Shabbat morning service and Torah example, of not denigrating or stretch, by the way, to find a linkage study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. demonizing the “other”; of here to the themes of Chanukah. Tuesday, January 17, Noon, Adult Ed: welcoming the stranger into our For the story of Chanukah begins Introducing the Prophets - The midst and treating them as citizens, not with an invasion from outside prophecies of the three Isaiahs. as we are taught in Leviticus 19. Israel, but from competing forces Friday, January 20, 5 PM, Family within that erupted into civil war – As I wrote in my sermon, by not Chavurah "Tot" Shabbat service in the between those who welcomed Blachschleger Library - suitable for “demonizing the other,” moving Hellenism and embraced the modern children of all ages. forward must also mean not world of Hellenistic culture, religion Tuesday, January 24, Noon, Adult Ed: demonizing those with different and philosophy, and those who Introducing the Prophets - The prophet views of what it means to have a just rejected it, fearing it would Jeremiah: His life and writings. society or a just business model or undermine the Jewish orthodoxy of Tuesday, January 31, Noon, Adult Ed: what is best for America in our Introducing the Prophets - The prophet the time. The Maccabees, after their relationships with the world. Just as continued on page 8 continued on page 18 Volume 164, Number 6 December 2016 ~ Nisan/Tevet 5777 Celebrating Our 164th Year President’s Message Since April 12, 1852 ELLIOT L. STEVENS, D. D., RABBI Too often, we take things for granted and fail to acknowledge David A. Baylinson, D. D., Rabbi Emeritus our God given blessings. Judaism teaches us to be mindful of Temple Beth Or Officers these blessings throughout the year. In many passages of our John Ives ......................................... President Steve Clein ..................................... Vice-President: Programs prayer book, we recognize God’s gifts to us and we are Joe Levin ........................................ Vice-President: Finance grateful. From the 100th Psalm, we are told to “enter unto Larry Capilouto .............................. Treasurer Gracie Hanchrow ........................... Secretary God’s gates with thanksgiving and into God’s courts with Diane Weil ...................................... Immediate Past President praise. Give thanks unto God and bless God’s name”. Board Members Harriette Dorosin ............................ Adult Education I share the words above from my Bar Mitzvah speech almost Pete Hitchcock................................ Cemetery Jim Levy ......................................... Youth & Scholarship 54 years ago. As we have recently celebrated Thanksgiving Jeff McKinney ................................ Religion School and had the opportunity to share our blessings with family and Sheryl Rosen .................................. Hospitality Steve Wallace ................................. Facilities friends, I can only hope that the words spoken in my youth Bob Weisberg ................................. Co-Membership remain a part of me today. Alison Williamson ......................... Co-Membership SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT . MEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT We can certainly acknowledge the blessing of once again Susan Finklestein Pete Ginsburg sharing in the Thanksgiving service with our friends from First Temple Beth Or Staff United and the Church of the Ascension. What a beautiful Gina Friday ..................................... Temple Administrator service we shared and how grateful we are to be part of this Elana Hagler ................................... Religion School Co-director Kerry Bleiberg ................................ Religion School Co-director extended family. Linda Smith .................................... L’Chaim League Marlon Cotton ................................ Maintenance Manager But Thanksgiving shouldn’t end with a holiday weekend and Becky Taylor .................................. Music Director too much food. It continues by giving back through Temple Singers ............................... Pete Hitchcock, Michelle Lott, Shane Nishibun, Tiffany Nishibun, David Peden, James Seay, participation at the Temple and volunteering your time and Mabs Seay, Bill Taylor, Turia Stark Williams effort to make Temple projects more meaningful and Office Hours successful. You will soon be called upon to volunteer for the Monday CLOSED Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 9-4 Food Festival. I ask that you make the first move and offer Friday 9-2 your service, not waiting to be called or asked. There is no 2246 Narrow Lane Road Montgomery, AL 36106 better form of good deed than to give of oneself without being Office: [email protected] Rabbi: [email protected] asked. www.templebethor.net (334) 262-3314 Tel (334) 263-5183 Fax I close the same way as I did so many years ago. “Teach me Please call Gina Friday at 262-3314 to report any corrections to use my power for the benefit of my fellowmen, so that the or inaccuracies in the bulletin. hearts of Your children may be gladdened by the work of my hands.” Please be understanding of others See you in Temple! when you come to Temple by avoiding heavily scented perfumes, John Ives colognes and lotions. Saturday, December 17 Shabbat Morning Service On Saturday morning, December 17th, 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 YAHRZEITS We greatly appreciate the people who support Temple Beth Or by remembering and honoring Birthday and their friends and loved ones through their To be read 12/2/16 generous contributions. Those that are Anniversary Blessings 11/27/2016 .... Beatrice Feinberg Levy received after the 20th of the month will be in 11/27/2016 .... Marcelle Sabel Moers the next bulletin. on December 2nd 11/29/2016 .... Leonel Weil 11/29/2016 .... Lucien S. Loeb 11/29/2016 .... Peggy Simon Bequest and Contingency Fund 11/30/2016 .... William Greene In Support of the new camera system DEC ANNIVERSARIES 12/3/2016...... Morris Capouano Kathie and Raymond Cohen 10 ..... Buddy & Jo Anne Rousso To be read 12/9/16 General Fund 10 ..... Kenneth & Celia Wool 12/4/2016...... Julian S. Leet In Memory of Jack H. Abraham, Jr. 17 ..... Morris & Leslie Capp 12/5/2016...... Charles McDaniel Marlene and Rick Beringer 20 ..... Russell
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