HAKOL Volume 35 No. 1 October 2019 Tishri 5780

5151 NE 14th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 | Templebatyam.org | 954-928-0410 | [email protected] Editor: Marion Fass | Email: [email protected]

Hakol brings together the messages of the season and the joy of community . In Memoriam: Rabbi Lewis Littman

The Temple Bat Yam Community mourns the passing of Rabbi Emeritus, Lewis C. Littman. Rabbi Littman was born on January 22, 1941 in Trenton, NJ and died on November 22, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale.

Rabbi Littman joined Temple Bat Yam in 1986 at its founding. A superb teacher and spiritual leader, Rabbi Littman’s perspective on Judaism reflected his strong commitment to Tikkun Olam, or Repairing the World. In addition, his love of Jewish music and theater was reflected in the central role music plays in Temple services, observances and events.

The National Conference for Community and Justice recognized Rabbi Littman’s work on behalf of the Jewish community and the community-at- large with the 2002 “Silver Medallion Award” for community service. Rabbi Littman chaired the Community Relations Council of Imperial Point Hospital, and served on the Board of the “Missions of Mercy” at Holy Cross Hospital.

Rabbi Littman served as president of the Broward Board of Rabbis; Chairman of the Clergy Dialogue Group of the National Conference on Community and Justice (NCCJ); and on regional boards of directors of Seafarer’s House, the Anti-Defamation League, the Central Agency for Jewish Education and the Jewish Federation. Rabbi Littman graduated from Rutgers Univer sity and then earned a Master of Arts degree. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC -JIR) in New York in 1967. Following ordination, he served congregations in Denver, Colo.; Erie, Pa.; and Rockville Centre, N.Y. From 1982 through 1986 he was Director of the Southeast Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, based in Miami.

While at his post in Erie, PA., Rabbi Littman sang the role of Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof and Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha in regional theater.

In 1992 the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion awarded Rabbi Littman the degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of 25 years of service in the rabbinate. Rabbi Littman is survived by his wife, Marlyn Kemper Littman, six children and five grandchildren. Remembering Rabbi Littman The Temple by Carol J. Cooke in Covenant of the Heart 1993 and submitted by Debra Werner

Between the darkness and the Light Stands the Temple of Oneness Containing both,Its alter aglow with candles of celebration, atonement, wonder, forgiveness and grief The worshiper gazes upward, following the hazy smoke Rising, swirling, moving from the embrace of the light to the terror of dark, As does he, watching. How to reconcile the duality into ONE? What is possible? The answer lies unspoken in the question, and the worshiper follows the light Into Darkness of his soul, Descending into the center, secret core. That is the Life.

May Lew's memory always be for a blessing.

I've known Rabbi Rabbi Littman was a man When I first walked into Littman for 30 years, of persistent strength in Temple Bat Yam with and am deeply character and demeanor. my wife, Lois, we were saddened to hear He showed compassion to warmly welcomed by this. He was family to those who needed it and Rabbi Littman and all of us. understanding to all. He immediately involved in will be missed. the life of TBY. -Avis McCoy - Judy Morrison -Arnie Pittler

Page 2 When Chanukkah and Christmas Spin Together

The Spirit of the Season Though Chanukkah pales in comparison to Christmas with regard to its relative importance among the other holidays, they share a spiritual message: it is possible to bring hope into a world of oppression and despair,light into a world of darkness. Christmas focuses on the birth of an individual whose life and mission was intended to bring liberation. Chanukah focuses on a national liberation struggle of an entire people, seeking to Spey family dogs enjoy the menorah remake the world through struggle with an oppressive political and social order. This year in particular, I hope that we can hear and embrace this message.

The hope, the miracle, of the Chanukah story is that our people was able to resist the “reality” imposed by the Hellenistic forces and were able to stay loyal to a vision of a world based on generosity, love of the stranger, and loyalty to an invisible God who promised that life could be based on justice and peace. Our “old-school religion” that the fought to preserve, had revolutionary aspects, not only its pursuit of justice and peace, but also in its very concrete prescriptions found in Torah for debt relief, soil conservation, redistribution of wealth and land, and its recipe for a balanced life in Shabbat. Even our retention of our fundamental identification as

PagePage 3 Rabbi David Spey having been slaves, liberated by God, providing motivation for freeing others from oppression, is miraculous in the face of the intellectuaominance attempted by Greek philosophy and science, and legal oppression wrought by edicts forbidding the study of Torah, the practice of circumcision, and the observance of Shabbat.

When the energy to preserve and bring justice to the world, when the Spirit of God, displayed by our people to overcome the forces designed to destroy them becomes an ingredient of the consciousness of ordinary people, miracles happens.The message of Christmas, similarly is a message of hope, a light in the short dark days of winter, like message of the lights of Chanukah.

The hope associated with a new birth in a family, was transformed into a universal message of hope. The hope was in the birth of a messiah who could challenge the existing systems of economic and political oppression, bring humanity into a new era of peace, social justice, and love. Even the identification of Jesus as the Son of God brings radical substance to the idea that every person is created in the image of God. For God to appear on earth teaching peace, justice, and love only to be killed by the same forces that were oppressing the people, is a beautiful message of a world yet to be redeemed and served to motivate millions who took comfort in this message.

The messages of our respective holidays can motivate us, from our respective faith traditions to work toward the improvement of the world for all humanity, when we embrace these as particular religious holidays, for it is within the religious framework that the messages of hope are to be found. May these holidays inspire hope in all of us and encourage us to find the beauty and value in diversity so that we can find unity in a common goal of peace and the improvement of the world for benefit of all. Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas

A Message from Rabbi Spey Page 4 These comments are adapted from Arnie PIttler's comments at Kol Nidre 2019. A Message from the President

Hineni - “Here I am.” In the Torah, the word Hineni occurs only eight times – it’s an important word! Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and Moses spoke Hineni – as a response to G-d. We still use it today but in a different context:

· When you call Temple Bat Yam for celebrating a life cycle event – Temple Bat Yam is here! · When you call TBY to provide Jewish education for your children – Temple Bat Yam is here. · When you want to study or Talmud or learn about becoming a Jew by choice – Temple Bat Yam is here! · When you want to include someone in our Shabbat Mischeberach for Healing or to be visited by the Rabbi or a member of our Bikur Holim – Temple Bat Yam is here! · When you want to worship during the High Holy Days, sit in a Sukkah, attend a Passover Seder, or hear the reading of the 10 commandments – Temple Bat Yam is here! · At the end of our life; for a funeral or a Shiva minyan – Temple Bat Yam is here!

Being honest, these are things that any synagogue will do. So WHY Temple Bat Yam?

When my wife Lois and I walked into Temple Bat Yam for the first time, everyone welcomed us. Rabbi Littman, Cantor Wendy and everyone at the Oneg greeted us and most importantly were interested what we were interested in. We met other interfaith families, LGBTQ families and Jews of Color. We learned about Bat Yam’s involvement in Social action. When we left that Friday night, we knew that we had found OUR Temple.

It is not about what TBY does, but rather, the Relationships, Meaning and Impact one gets by being HERE. We are all faced with choices every day. We can choose, whether or not, to be present for our families, our friends, and our community. In the Torah, each time the word HINENI is used, it signifies a turning point, a potentially life-changing moment requiring decision, action and resolution. When the Torah uses the word HINENI, the person speaking is saying: “I hear your call. I understand what you are asking of me. I am prepared and ready to do it, because I recognize, although it is hard, it is also important that I act.” On Yom Kippur, during Kol Nidre, I asked everyone to feel they are part of our Kehillah Kedoshah - Holy Community, by making a pledge to support TBY. Actively participating in Temple activities: Brotherhood; Sisterhood; Temple Committees or offering Audacious Hospitality to others in the Eastside Jewish community, are all ways that you can made the declaration, “Here I Am” for – Temple Bat Yam. Our tradition teaches us that through our humility, our presence, and our good deeds, we are able to build real relationships, derive real meaning and achieve real impact. All it takes to start ourselves down this path is the simple declaration: HINENI –

Page 5 Page 7 Arnie Pittler Preschool Progress

With a generous gift from the Baer Family, the preschool has a formal name. We are now the Baer Family Early Childhood Learning Center. The October 17, 2019 meeting was attended by 70 eligible members (and far more if we could count everyone). All members present voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of $1,400,000 for build the school and renovate the Temple Bat Yam facilities.

The members approved borrowing up to $1,000,000 to finance this against an appraised value of $3,850,000 Architect's rendering of entrance to Baer Family Early of our property; although our goal is raise the Childhood Learning Center necessary funds and have as little debt as possible. We have raised $465,000 to date in commitments.

We have received the first round of comments from the the city on our permit application and we are finalizing Packing Party plans for submission for building permits. In addition, we are in possession of four bids from contractors and Tuesday, December 3rd @ 12 Noon. are negotiating a final contract with them. Three banks Come help pack the library as we are competing for financing this project. TBY has hired a project manager to represent us in overseeing all prepare for the remodeling of the aspects of the Preschool renovation and facility Preschool. upgrades. Work commences at the beginning of Lunch will be served! January and we plan to open for summer camp in June.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! How can we help? Our fundraising campaign is underway. We need your support! Any and all help is greatly appreciated. There are numerous naming opportunities, from Mezuzot, playgrounds, classrooms and more. Len and his committee would be happy to CONSTRUCTION BEGINS JANUARY 1 discuss any act of generosity you might consider. Also, if you know any philanthropists who wish to be involved with the future of the Eastside Jewish community, please call Len Weiselberg, Chair of the Preschool Committee at 954-816-1785 or Pam at the temple office at 954-928-0410 to set up a meeting.

Len extends his thanks to all who not only took time to come to the meeting but also gave their enthusiastic support for the project. This is “truly historic support of the Board of Trustee’s vision for the future of TBY.” Page 6 What's exciting at Gan Noar?

Scott London, Religious School Principal, is excited that our 4th and 5th graders have the opportunity to learn about through LINK, a digitally interactive, experiential curriculum every Tuesday. Students explore their historical connections to the land of Israel, and also focus on Israel’s current geographic and demographic situation.

The curriculum incorporates Jewish values in trying to build an understanding of life and politics in Israel.

Through LINK, students discover an Israel not usually found in traditional Jewish curricula. They learn about an Israel that is diverse, where humanitarian aid is a priority, and where there are opportunities for refugees and economic migrants. They learn about Israel’s leadership in innovations and technologies are improving and saving lives throughout the world.

The LINK program was designed by StandWithUs, a sixteen year-old, international Israel education organization.

PaPagege 7 TBY Services Join us for Shabbat at Temple Bat Yam, Friday nights at 7:30 pm and Saturday morning at 10:30 am to pray, read and discuss Torah. We offer special services; Tot Shabbat for children 4 and under, including singing and art; Family Services on the first Friday of each month, giving school age children a chance to participate; and Dor L’Dor musical services usually on the third Friday of each month.

TOT Shabbat Schedule

Friday, December 13 @ 6 pm - Friday, January 10 @ 6:30 pm - Shabbat Friday, February 7 @ 6:30 pm - Tu B'Shevat Sunday, March 8 @ 11am - Purim Carnival & Spiel Friday, April 3 @ 6 pm - Passover Sedar Friday, May 8 @ 6:30 pm - Lag B'Omer BBQ

Inter-generational Services Inter-generational Services, Shabbat B'Yachad, are scheduled for the First Friday of each month @ 7:30 pm. We use a family friendly prayer book. Students are encouraged to participate in the services. Page 8 Cantor Lindenbaum

Shalom chaverim,

It is quite interesting to look at the time of year. With the High Holidays and Sukkot, Simchat Torah and more, we’ve been on the almost non-stop rollercoaster of Holiday preparation, lasting several months. We then get into the month of Cheshvan and then all of a sudden.. nothing. No Holidays, no nothing. , Nothing special happens during the month…liturgically, musically.

It’s like zippo until Channukah! It’s probably why the ancient Rabbi’s added the title to the name of the month, Mar Cheshvan which means “Bitter Cheshvan” because it lacks any special days.

We are lucky, however, to have something very special that takes place during the month as well as most other months of the year, the performance of the temple Band “Dor L’Dor”. We realize how lucky and blessed we are at Temple Bat Yam to have such a talented and committed group of musicians to enhance our service on a monthly basis!

I have had the opportunity to visit congregations all over the country, and have never found a group of temple members that help lead a service with the energy, love and musicianship. our congregation truly benefits from they’re commitment to such a high level of musicianship and love of Judaism. i feel very lucky to have the chance to make music with them!

Cantor Eric Lindenbaum

Dor L'Dor Services Dance and sing along with your favorite prayers and the TBY Band. December 20 January 17 February 21 March 20 April 17 June 19

Page 9 Global Day of Learning Temple Bat Yam hosted the Eastside meeting of the Global Day of Learning on November 17. There was a panel discussion on "The Power of Words" with Rabbi Spey, Rabbi Arnie Samlan, Chief Jewish Education Officer at the Jewish Federation of Broward County, and Evan Goldman, TBY member and Vice President for Community Planning at the Jewish Federation of Broward County. At the same time, children in the religious school discussed similar topics including how social media affects them in their lives. The following essay by Rabbi Samlan structured the days discussions.

Jewish values for social media in the post-U.S. election world

By Rabbi Arnie Samlan is Executive Director of the Central Agency for Jewish Education in Broward County, Florida. this is reprinted with his permission. Just over three years ago, I was invited to write a number of online articles that addressed Jewish values as they apply to our social media lives. With the impact of social media on the recent U.S. elections, and the use of sociamedia as a battle ground for a deeply divided country, I share my new version of the Ten Commandments for Social Media with guidance from Jewish teachings:

1. “Avtalion said: Wise people, be careful with your words.” Words are not “just words” (Mishnah Avot). They are actions, once you say them, and even more so once you write them. Use caution. 2. “Distance yourself from false words” (Exodus 23:7). In the election’s aftermath, people are making up stories and posting them on social media as fact (e.g., absentee votes weren’t counted, the election was skewed by large numbers of undocumented immigrants, and the now-famous Bowling Green terrorist incident, to name a few outright falsehoods that show up on my feeds). Page 10 3. “Truth and peace we love” (Prayer of the Hazan on High Holidays). Truth is a primary value. This is not simply about avoiding falsehood, but about pursuing truth. That’s right, I consider fact-checking to be the performance of a religious obligation. Educators know how to do this. We don’t teach something unless weare certain that it is true. We need to use the same standard on social media.

4. Lashon Naki (Clean speech). The Talmud mentions instances in which the Torah went out of its way to use wording that was “pure” and not insulting or inappropriate. My immediate assumption, when someone curses while stating an opinion is that either A: They aren’t sure enough of their point to make it with objective language, or B: they are posting while enraged. Which leads me to…

5. Maimonides’ teaching that “One who becomes angry is as though that person had worshipped idols.” No, we can’t control our feelings, but we’d better be able to manage them. If you’re enraged, social media isn’t the best place to respond. Run a mile, do kickboxing, meditate, or whatever works for you. Then, decide if you want to post something.

6. “Judaism is a religion of listening” (Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks) – While his statement refers to humans listening to God, I expand it to apply to humans listening to each other (since, after all, we are all in the image of God). If you just spew your ideas, you’re not growing. But the dialogue that social media gives us allows us to broaden our horizons. If we listen.

7. “Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14). This is a great time for peacemaking. Our country and our world face problems that go beyond a particular philosophy or even a particular country’s borders. Time to create the peace and the coalitions that are going to address environmental issues, poverty and human rights. Want to troll for a fight? Do it elsewhere. Not on my social media space.

8. Tzelem Elohim. Everyone is created in God’s image, or, if you prefer, with a spark of divinity. Everyone deserves respect: President Obama, Secretary Clinton, President Trump, the protesters in the streets and the folks who are exuberant about the election results. I police my social media territory to make sure that all who are my guests there treat each other respectfully and refrain from insulting others.

9. Tikkun Olam. The mystics taught that our job is to repair a world that somehow went off track from the time of creation. In recent years, we’ve adopted it to mean anything we do to make the physical world a better place. Adding positive energy and action via social media? Great. Adding negatives? Find someone else’s space.

10. Lashon Hara. Gossip, even when true, is still gossip. If it’s the need to call someone or something out because it will endanger others, different story. But simply to accuse or to spread rumors? Off limits.Our presence, in real time, real space or in social media-land, can make a difference. Let’s use our presence for life, for whatever land we live in, and for our world.

Page 11 Sisterhood

Welcome to our newest Sisterhood members: Pamela Barton, Bunni Marmo, Barbara Thomas, Ann Tripi, Susan Fine, Nancy Chajet, Nahama Glasrot, Karen Knauf, Gail Spade-Krischner, Madeleine Kreysar, Joy Schneider and Margot Laskin.

The Sisterhood Board gives thanks for the ladies who are the heart and soul of our TBY Sisterhood; many have been members since the conception of Temple Bat Yam!

The Sisterhood will hold another Book Club on December 8th at 2pm at 5200 N. Ocean Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale in the Card Room. The book being reviewed is ‘Address Unknown” by Kressman Taylor. This book can be purchased and is also available on line. RSVP to Faye Rojchin.

To complete the year, the Annual Sisterhood Shabbat Service will be on Friday, December 13th. Sisterhood members who wish to participate in the service should contact Joan Sternberg or Lois Pittler as soon as possible.

Please watch for the upcoming 2020 Sisterhood events. As 2019 comes to a close, may we reflect on our blessings, and in so doing, pay it forward.

Join Sisterhood for the Grand Sisterhood Shabbat is opening of Israel Then and Now at Friday, December 13th Holocaust Documentation Center Sisterhood members, please in Dania- volunteer to participate. Wed, 1/15/2020 at 11 am

Page 12 Social Action

Join Temple Bat Yam Fighting Hunger Bring a can when you can!

Temple Bat Yam Social Action Committee has as a primary goal, “FIGHTING HUNGER” here In Broward County. What can you do? BRING A CAN OF FOOD EACH TIME YOU VISIT TEMPLE BAT YAM.

As we prepare for the celebration of Chanukah, consider the many ways that we can brighten the lives of those less fortunate. Volunteering is a gift we can all afford, and a true Mitzvah!!

We collect non-perishable food weekly in boxes at the back of the sanctuary. Please remember to bring donations when you come to services, and to encourage our children to think of donations they can make when they are at Temple Bat Yam.

Our weekly food collection benefits the WECARE Food Pantry, a project of the SorefJCC as well as the Kosher Food Pantry, “The Cupboard” and Lifenet4families, all serving families in Broward County. At Yom Kippur, we collect food to be distributed among all of the food pantries, and encourage participation in the Jewish food campaign MAZON.

Each year we sponsor the Empty Bowls Dinner. On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, you will have a dinner of homemade soup, bread and a bottle of water. This is the diet that our community’s homeless receive at local feeding locations. Some of our congregants also volunteer to serve at Lifenet4families.

To be part of and help in any of the above events, please contact Lyn Saberg,Social Action Chairperson, at [email protected]. AND REMEMBER TO BRING A NON-PERISHABLE ITEM TO DONATE EACH TIME YOU VISIT TEMPLE BAT YAM.

Mitzvah Day - Sunday, February 23, 2020

Empty Bowls - Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Proceeds will be donated to WECARE Food Pantry Page 13 Sisterhood Heart Healthy Suggestions

Choose Join a healthy walking club foods, even on Shabbat

Visit doctors Community regularly Matters

Do yoga with If you don't Know your friends feel right, see numbers a doctor

Spread the word, tell a friend!

Page 14 for Foodies

Like many Jewish holidays, the foods we eat at Chanukkah are important to our traditions. We tell the story that the small amount of oil that the Macabees had for their lamps lasted for 7 days- a miracle- and we remember by eating food fried in oil. What foods are eaten depends on heritage; Askenazi Jews eat latkes, while Sephardic jews eat jelly donuts, a tradition that has caught on in Israel. Kurdish Jews make Carrot while Moroccan Jews make a dish called – with orange flavored dough. What links them is OIL. On this holiday we try to forget about avoiding fried foods for health, and indulge in the celebration our ancestors triumph.

Enjoy these latkes from deep in our recipe files

Page 15 TBY connects: community Chanukkah gifts for JAFCO "Dine Around" Chanukkah Each year, students at Gan Noar and others from Temple Bat Yam, choose to provide Party, December 15 at 5:30

Chanukkah gifts to children who receive services of . JAFCO, the Jewish Adoption and Family Care Members and their guests are invited to Organization of South Florida. JAFCO's mission is to celebrate Chanukah with a Potluck care for abused, neglected and at-risk children and Party at the home of Kathalyn and Michael those with developmental disabilities in the Jewish Haimo. Bring an appetizer to share and community, and to work in partnership with families your beverage of chioce. Latkes and

applesauce provided, or bring your JAFCO has sent us a list of gifts needed for babies, favorites to share. school age children and teens. Please contact the Contact Kathalyn to RSVP and for TBY office to participate. directions.

JAFCO offers a full day tour of its facilities on the first Wednesday of each month. Contact [email protected]

Your community connections: Building Temple Bat Yam We are all the builders of Temple Bat Yam, which forms the center of our community.

Temple Bat Yam needs your input. Join us in work days to help the Preschool project. Join us in planning events. Would you like to see a group for moms? An adult event Tasting Bourbon and Beef? Israeli dancing? Contact Pam in the office to volunteer.

HAKOL needs your input too- your stories, your joys, and your photos.

Please share as we build connections around our shared culture and celebrations. Send information and photos to [email protected]

Page 16 TBY and the Community

Broward Jewish Federation leadership includes members Elissa Mogilefsky and Evan Goldman Page 17

Rabbi Spey joins other Fort Lauderdale clergy in Interfaith Thanksgiving service li

Giving Day Tuesday

Remember Temple Youth group helps feed the homeless Bat Yam, on Tuesday, December 3rd

donation link Page 17 Board of Trustees 2019-2020

Rabbi David Spey Cantor Eric Lindenbaum Lewis C. Littman, D.D., z'l Rabbi Emeritus Wendy Autenrieth, D.M., Cantor Emerita

Arnold Pittler, President Melissa Comras, 1st Vice President Mitchell Bloch, Executive Vice President Terri Voss, Secretary Marc Egort, Treasurer Jerry Baer, Past President

Trustees Edward Boreth Dyan Chaney Kathalyn Haimo Jason Kreiss Leslie Maister David Simon Edward Coopersmith Carey Fischer Lyn Saberg Sean Thompson Len Weiselberg Lisa Dodero Sheba Munn Thompson Judy Czerenda Sondra Weiss-Goldman

Sisterhood Co-Presidents Lois Pittler Joan Sternberg

Evan Goldman, Brotherhood President

Handmade by Joan Sternberg. " I took thin strips of clay , curving them atop each other; then I painted each strip with different colored glazes Page 18 The TBYs of Social Media As w eA rse wlye m roerlye manodr em aonred omno Greo ong leG, oFoagcleb, oFoakc eabnodo Ikn satnadgr Ianmst afogrr aoumr finofro ormuration and plansin, fthoermrea itsio anl waanyds p tlhaen sri,s tkh oefr em iiss talkweany isd ethneti tryi.s k A o Tf BmYis Ctaoknecne ridt eont itthye. Beach- in MHavryel aynodu! !b TeeBnY csoenrvfuicseesd i nb yL ak TeB TYa hCooen?c!?e rSt eoans thheel lsB eaancdh S- hina bMbaarty ilna nSda!n! ibel? CelebWraet iaornes t eamt Lpalekbea Ttyaahmo.eo?rg!?, aSneda sohne Ilnlss taangdra Smh #atbebmapt lienb Saatynaimbeftl?l East Fort Lauderdale,FL We are templebatyam.org, and on Instagram #templebatyamftl Lake Tahoe, UT Bat Yam means "Daughter of the Sea." Sanibel, FL East Fort Lauderdale,FL Ocean City, MD Lake Tahoe, UT Newport Beach, CA Sanibel, FL St. Augustine, FL Ocean City, MD

Newport Beach, CA

St. Augustine, FL

Welcome New Members

Barry & Ashley Solomon

Mark your calendar for Pre-Chanukkah Shabbat, Friday, December 20, 2019

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