Temple Beth Am 2250 Central Blvd. Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 747-1109 June/July 2015 Iyar/Sivan 5775 Published Monthly Issue No
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Temple Beth Am 2250 Central Blvd. Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 747-1109 June/July 2015 Iyar/Sivan 5775 Published Monthly Issue No. 182 On May 15th we followed a 200-year-old tradition as we had an extraordinarily meaningful and joyous Confirmation Service, led by thirteen 10th graders from our congregation. These talented, creative and devoted teens led us in traditional and contemporary prayers, and also spoke about the meaning they find in being Jewish. While it didn’t come as a surprise, I was nonetheless tremendously proud and moved by their eloquence and the depth of their ideas and thoughts. Earlier that week when I considered my message to them I was wondering if the world that they live in is better than ours, their parents, when we were their age. On one hand they have all the knowledge and entertainment at the tips of their fingers, and they have dozens of ways to connect with their friends wherever they are. But on the other hand, they have no th recollection of living in a safer world, the one before September 11 , Al Qaeda and ISIS. While I couldn’t find an answer to the question of which world is better, I was bothered even more by the realization that we didn’t keep our promises to them, in particular the pledge of “never again.” After the crimes of the Holocaust became internationally known, the world vowed it would never happen again. But history since 1945 has shown that the world stood idly by, again and again, as genocide unfolded in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur to list a few. The scariest thing is that the same atrocities, followed by indifference, are happening right now. Take for example the plight of Myanmar's Rohingya “boat people” in Southeast Asia. It is an eerie flashback to the days of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. In those dark days, mainly after Kristallnacht, ships of European Jewish refugees tried to escape the Nazis—only to be denied access to safe shores around the world. They were forced to go back to the death camps in Europe. The story of the S.S. St. Louis in 1939 is only one of many. The ship’s captain, Gustav Schröder, planned to save the lives of more than 900 Jewish refugees from Germany: by taking them first to Cuba with the hope of ultimately getting to America. After they were denied entry to Cuba, America not only refused their entry but even fired a warning shot to keep them away from Florida's shores. After a failed attempt of clergy and academics in Canada to persuade the authorities to provide sanctuary to the ship's passengers, the St. Louis had to cross the Atlantic again on its way back to Europe. When I look at the pictures of the dehydrated and starving Myanmar refugees on dilapidated boats—all begging Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to take them in, but instead being pushed back to sea—I know that we, the post- Holocaust generation, failed miserably. Yet as I was looking at the idealistic and bright young men and women of our Confirmation Class I felt somewhat better. I realized that our failure to keep those promises will not discourage them. On the contrary, it will motivate them to work harder so they can turn the world into a better place for the next generation. B’Shalom, Rabbi Alon Levkovitz ANNUAL MEETING We need YOU to help us make a quorum so we can conduct Temple business. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015 at 9:30am (please note change of date) Vote on your new Board of Directors Project” and חִ ידוּשׁ ( Hear about “The Chidush (Renewal our Capital Campaign to update our facility Free Breakfast will be served. KVELL & TELL Congratulations to Geoff Moody, a current 10th-grader at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, who was selected as a High School Summer Research Intern at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience for 2015. Also, Geoff will participate in the TEN80 National Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics competition finals in Houston as a founding member of the Bengineers, the Benjamin School's Engineering team and Vice President of the Engineering Club. Congratulations to Logan Dennis & Alexandra Cherenson who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society on May 12th. Mazel Tov to Korky & Myles Cooley on the birth of their granddaughter, Eden Marina Cooley. Eden was born on May 13, 2015 to Jill & David Cooley. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Myles & Korky Cooley from Palm Beach Gardens Harold & Linda Kay from Jupiter Michael & Robin Walder from Jupiter & their children Merrick, Shaun & Brielle Temple Beth Am 2 June/July 2015 FROM THE PRESIDENT Mark Slifkin WOW, it is summer already. You would think that this is the time of year for your TBA staff to relax. Actually just the opposite happens since this is a very busy time: getting ready for the new HaMakom Religious School curriculum; your Voluntary Financial Commitment forms will be mailed around June 10; the Summer Pool Party on July 12th, preparations for the High Holy Days is extensive; and then maybe some vacation time. So I tip my hat to our great staff both existing and new. See Melanie’s article in this Scribe. NEED YOUR HELP: We urgently need volunteers to work on and lead our Caring Community efforts. This is a critical service we provide to our members. Please send me an email or call if you can help. NEED YOUR HELP: We are looking for help on the Chidush Project during design and implementation. We need a Mechanical Engineer and someone familiar with project management software and tracking of the schedule and costs. We really want to use members with these skills and avoid hiring an outside firm to help manage this project. Please give me a call! TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE – GOING FAST: The show - our own Cantor Jessica and the Joe Scott Trio performing at the Maltz titled “Jewish Life In Music” on JANUARY 2, 2016, 8:00pm. I know it is a long way off but please purchase your tickets through the Temple early so we can properly plan this special event (your check is your reservation-see details elsewhere in the Scribe). We have reserved the Green Room, so look for additional announcements in the near future. Congratulations: To Alissa Frankel on her promotion to Education Director of our Religious School. If you were not at Temple on Sunday May 17th to hear all about the new and exciting HaMakom (“The Place”) curriculum or the ability to sign up on line during the summer, please call the office. Welcome: – Danna Cohen has joined Alissa Frankel’s staff as the Jewish Life Activities Director. She will be working on activities for ALL ages from Kindergarten through our nonagenarians. So look for Danna at all those activities in our upcoming calendar. UPDATE ON OUR SKIING STAR: Lacie Greenwald won the 12-13 age group NASTAR event out of 128 competitors. This is the 3rd year in a row on the NASTAR podium. Gee and no snow in Florida – how does she do it? HIGH HOLY DAY RECOGNITION: During last years’ High Holy Days we recognized 43 families who generously gave, in the spirit of Kulanu, and met the requirements for one of these categories; Chazonim-Visionaries ($18,000 or more), Circle of Tzadik ($10,000-$17,999), L’Dor V’Dor ($5,400-$9,999), or Tikkun Olam ($3,600-$5,399). There is still time, before June 30, 2015, to meet the requirements. If you are close to one of these categories you will be receiving a call, or if you want to know where you are just call Melanie Goldsobel. CONGRATULATIONS: Melanie Goldsobel, our Director of Administration, has done it – we thank you. At the Religious School open house May 17 we have introduced Chaverweb – our online registration, bill payment and sign up system. We are starting with HaMakom (what is that you ask – see Alissa Frankel’s article). You will be able to register on line for Religious School. Soon you will be able to pay your yearly membership Voluntary Financial Commitment, fees, registering for events etc., all on line behind a very secure system. SUPPORT TBA WITH AMAZON PURCHASES: Thanks to Melanie Goldsobel & Carol Sleeper, here is an easy way to do your shopping AND have Amazon make a contribution to TBA. All of us buy from Amazon – right? Just go to www.templebetham.com, click on the link & and do your ordering as you normally would. Select ‘Reform Temple of Jupiter-Tequesta’ (that is our actual incorporated name) as your favorite charitable organization. All items marked ‘Eligible for AmazonSmile Donation’ will automatically result in Amazon sending a check to TBA for 0.5% of your purchases. That will make us all SMILE! Nothing else for you to do except make TBA your favorite charity and keep using that link. Our Board member names are always listed in the Scribe – talk to them anytime about your thoughts, suggestions and ideas – our tag line ALL OF US TOGETHER only works if we have YOUR input! Scribe articles are great and contain interesting tidbits about TBA – enjoy them. Call me at 561-222-8350 if you have ANY questions or just wish to chat. Email works also: [email protected]. B’ Shalom Mark Slifkin Temple Beth Am 3 June/July 2015 MAZEL TOV TO OUR GRADUATES Carol Sleeper, Director of Membership, Engagement & Programming Congratulations to all of Temple Beth Am’s high school graduating seniors.