Tishrei – Cheshvan 5781 October 2020

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THE SEASON OF OUR REJOICING october 2020 Shabbat Services FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020 Parashat Bereishit 15 Tishrei Genesis 1:1- 6:8 In This Issue Erev Sukkot Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10 6:00 p.m. Pre-Neg 6:30 p.m. Shabbat & FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020 Erev Sukkot services 6 Cheshvan Shabbat Services 2 5:30 p.m. Noah’s Bark Shabbat SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2020 6:00 p.m. Pre-Neg Sisterhood/Brotherhood 3 9:00 a.m. Torah Study 6:30 p.m. Shabbat services 10:30 a.m. Shabbat & Sukkot services From Strength to Strength 4 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020 Clergy Corner 5 Sukkot 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Leviticus 22:33-44 10:30 a.m. Morning Minyan President’s Message 6/7 Haftarah: Zechariah 14:7-9,16-21 5:30 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Alexis Barna Membership 8/9 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 22 Tishrei Parashat Noach Youth Engagement Religious Erev Simchat Torah Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 6:00 p.m. Pre-Neg Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5 School 10/11 6:30 p.m. Shabat & Erev Simchat Torah service FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 B’nai Mitzvah 12 13 Cheshvan Beyond the Curve 13 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2020 6:00 p.m. Pre-Neg 10:30 a.m. Shabbat & Simchat Torah 6:30 p.m. Shabbat services Programming 14-16 with Yizkor services SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 Rock ‘N Run 17 Simchat Torah 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Deuteronomy 34:1-12 – Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 10:30 a.m. Morning Minyan Tikkun Olam 18 Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18 10:30 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Logan Mondell Voting 19 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 29 Tishrei Parashat Lech Lecha Mini Mitzvah Day 20 6:00 p.m. Pre-Neg Genesis 12:1 – 17:27 Drive In Shabbat 21 6:30 p.m. Shabbat services Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16

Sisterhood 22/23 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Our Jewish Heritage 24 10:30 a.m. Morning Minyan 10:30 a.m. Bat Mitzvah Giving Back 25 of Jordan Glassman 5:30 p.m. Bar Mitzvah Give Day 26 of Zachary Cohen

Committee of 100/Tzedakah 27 ** Please note: All service times may change. Please log onto our website, www.tbam.org/calendar to confirm exact virtual service times. In Loving Memory 28/29 our advertisers We Give 30/31 Rita Diaz, Estate­­­­ Sales...... 33 Paradise Properties, Realtor...... 39 Current of Life 32 Roberta Mandel...... 34 Williamson Cadillac...... 40 Chef Aaron Dreilinger, Catering...... 31 ­Accessible Home Health Care...... 40 Professional Directory 33 Israel Bonds...... 32 Kitanim, Florist/Events...... 41 Professional Directory Listings...... 33 Buchwald Jewelers...... 41 Mazel Tov 34 Jewish Community Services...... 34 Bea Citron, Realtor...... 41 Dr. Greg Ross, Orthodontist...... 35 Camp Coleman...... 42 New Members 34 Ilene Efthimiou, Realtor...... 35 Smile Miami...... 42 Goldman Residential, Realtor...... 36 Rebecca Lenard, Pediatric Dentist...... 42 Tracey Spiegelman, Realtor...... 37 Bregman, Event Planners...... 43 Medicare Matt...... 37 ...... 44 Friendship Circle...... 38 TLC Family Care...... 38 SISTERHOOD OPENING EVENT

Thursday, October 22, 2020 6:00 PM via Zoom AN INTERACTIVE EVENING FEATURING THE MAGIC OF MIO! He will take you on a magical Zoom adventure as you enjoy a three-course dinner delivered to all 2020-2021 Sisterhood members.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE PAGE 23

Lawrence_October_Ad 9/10/20 11:52 AM Page 1 A Conversation with David Lawrence, Jr. Former publisher of the Miami Herald and Chair of The Children’s Movement of Thursday, October 29th, 7:00 pm Mr. Lawrence is the author of “A Dedicated Life: Journalism, Justice and a Chance for Every Child”

All men and women are cordially invited to attend Brotherhood of Temple Beth Am’s Opening Event, a special FREE Live Streaming event as David Lawrence, Jr. discusses his book, while being interviewed by our own Judge David Young, Family Division, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.

All Brotherhood 2020–2021 members will receive a signed copy of Mr. Lawrence’s book, plus an exclusive Zoom invitation where they will be able to ask Mr. Lawrence questions at the end of the live event. A Brotherhood Polo shirt is included with your paid membership. Full details at tbam.org/davidlawrence

Page 3 Commentator October 2020 • Page 4

From Strength to Strength Rabbi Jeremy Barras [email protected]

Phase II: A Game Changer in the South Dade Jewish Community

It has been quite an experience watching the construction a schedule that looks like this: January is film month, February month after month and seeing Phase I emerge out of the is music month, March is culinary month, April is Israel month, ground. Very soon our new school buildings will be complete, etc. Phase II will be our home for an explosion of Jewish and Temple Beth Am will take a giant leap forward in its culture and camaraderie. It will be a desired destination for storied history. We have all been honored to be part of Jewish entertainers, scholars, chefs, comedians, etc. for years this breathtaking campaign to ensure the viability of our to come. It will be the place where congregants are streaming campus for generations to come. The purpose of Phase I and in and out of cultural events while basketball players and their our new school has been pretty easy to explain. After all, families mingle before and after basketball games. It will be everyone knows the purpose and mission of our school, and a place where you can meet a friend for dinner or a glass of generally understands that as our world changes, the need wine, and then catch a Jewish movie or attend a concert. It will to be technologically on the cutting edge of education is an be a building that will sparkle and impress, but it will also be imperative. But now that construction on our school is racing an outdoor “downtown square” equipped to host cultural and towards completion, it is time to unveil the exciting and game religious activity in ways never before imagined. It will be the changing mission of Phase II. Jewish address in South Dade that will make Beth Am truly your home away from home. It will be a new way of imagining In addition to having one of the finest Day Schools anywhere, how synagogues operate and how we spend time together. around the country TBAM has a noted reputation for its It will be the next step forward that advances our Jewish innovative programming and beautiful campus. Phase II community and makes South Dade one of the most significant intends not only to maintain that reputation, but to enhance Jewish locales in the country. And the best part is, it will be all it dramatically. Just like Phase I, whose progress has been yours to enjoy! impressive and awe-inspiring, Phase II will add a stunning new structure that will include a state-of-the-art new gymnasium, a I cannot wait to share more details and plans with you as we performing arts center, a café, a social hall, a youth wing, and progress, and I hope you will get just as excited as we are to more. No doubt it will service the needs of the myriad activities enjoy this groundbreaking next step in the history of Temple that already take place at TBAM every day. Beth Am!

But here is where Phase II will be unique: Phase II will be our very own version of the Jewish world. Each month we will Rabbi Jeremy Barras have a different theme. Currently we host the incredible Miami Jewish Film Festival every January. In the future, we will host something every month. I foresee the day when we announce

LIVE from Beth Am! Hosted by Senior Rabbi Jeremy Barras Weekdays 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Join our Senior Rabbi at noon every day on Facebook and live streaming for the latest in current events, Jewish learning, and a host of special guest interviews. Stay connected with your Temple Beth Am community while being entertained at the same time. You’re not going to want to miss this! “The surprise hit of the year!” – TV GUIDE clergy corner Rabbi Jaime Aklepi [email protected]

TheYamim Noraim, The Days of Awe are behind us, and I hope Hasidim: “While I was deep in prayer,” he told them, “I suddenly you found spiritual nourishment, renewal and inspiration to could feel the pain of the grass as you walked upon it; it was so do the challenging soul-searching work that fosters personal excruciating that I could not help but cry out.” transformation. Over these past six months so much external change has been forced on us, but I doubt we have had the Rebbe Nachman taught that a spark of God animates everything chance to catch up on the inside, to catch up spiritually. that exists. Everything has its own vibration or song of praise Sukkot, which starts on the evening of October 2 and lasts that it sings to the Creator. If we are sufficiently spiritually for seven days, directs us to gratitude for the natural world sensitive, then we will hear the unique song of each creation. and appreciation for our abundance. We physically leave our We gain that kind of sensitivity only by being out in the world material homes and either live or eat in the sukkah. We become of nature. aware of the comfort we are accustomed to, and that others who do not share our abundance live in scarcity. In ancient times, Jewish law and hermeneutics have a principle called “Kal one travelled to the Temple in Jerusalem with offerings from the Vachomer,” “all the more so;” where an inference is made based harvest. People would bring the best of their crops as a gift to on a more lenient condition to a more strict or major condition. God. There was a deep understanding that the earth and all its In the case of Rebbe Nachman feeling the pain of the grass, Kal fullness did not belong to human beings but to God. Moving out Vachomer we should feel the pain of other human beings. But of your home became one’s own very real connection to nature, we must be sufficiently spiritually sensitive. This Sukkot, even its cycles and seasons. though we are still facing our own challenges due to COVID-19, share from your abundance, be sensitive to the trampling of A story is told by the Bratslav Hasidim about Rebbe Nachman. others and celebrate the richness of the earth. One day, the Hasidim were out in the fields praying with Rebbe Nachman when all of a sudden, he let out an anguished cry: “Oy, Oy”, he screamed, “you are trampling on me.” The Hasidim Rabbi Jaime Aklepi all stopped their prayers and turned towards their Rebbe. Rebbe Nachman opened his eyes and looked over at his

Join Rabbi Greengrass! Tuesday, October 6 5:30 p.m.

Celebrate the harvest festival of Sukkot with your little ones! Join us to learn more about this special holiday, which teaches us values of welcoming our neighbors, caring for the environment, Sukkot Stories and honoring our Jewish traditions. and Songs

with RSVP for Zoom login info at Rabbi Rachel www.tbam.org/familysukkot Greengrass

Page 5 Commentator October 2020 • Page 6

Message from the president Stuart Ratzan [email protected]

RESILIENCE: OUR DETERMINATION TO MOVE FORWARD

I knew when I took this responsibility as President of Temple Bob Hersh; and we hired our new Executive Director Brian Beth Am, it would be a lot of work and a labor of love. My Chartock. Welcome Brian. responsibilities have grown beyond my wildest imagination due to the coronavirus, but my respect and love for our Beth We said farewell to our longtime, beloved Head of School Am community have only been enhanced by the work of our Deborah Starr; and we hired our new Head of School Nora community and the dedicated clergy and professional staff Anderson. Welcome Nora. who make our home so special. Both Brian and Nora came to Beth Am with impeccable At Beth Am, we are a family. And families make sacrifices credentials, great passion, and incredible energy. We were in the for the betterment of the whole. Families adapt to their midst of their transitions. circumstances, and most importantly, families find ways to move forward regardless of the impediments put in front of And then came the virus. them. We had to respond. We had to adapt. The Beth Am family is no different. We have been focused, creative and productive while providing a safe and caring Immediately, recognizing the threat and import of the situation, environment. And we have continued on our core mission we made the difficult decision to close our campus. But we did of Jewish life through lifelong learning, spiritual growth and not close our school or our synagogue. Instead, we took them community engagement. online. We did not stop; we did not give up.

The world changes. And we at Temple Beth Am adapt. We Although we had never done this before, and although we had are resilient. no experience dealing with a pandemic, we quickly transitioned. Teachers, students and their parents quickly learned how Life is not easy these days. We face uncertainty, isolation, to use the technology and Day School and Religious School and frustration. We feel confined, restricted, and always studies continued. We learned many lessons on how to deliver limited. Our politics are tending to the extreme and we face elementary education through an iPad, but again we adapted, we deep division over every aspect of our lives. It may seem grew from our mistakes and held on to our successes. This school impossible at times to get our footing, to find rhythm, to feel year, our platform is more sophisticated and better than ever. secure. Our clergy developed robust online programming, providing learning and entertainment opportunities galore. It seemed Through all of this, we may feel a greater need for there was something for everyone. Torah study; Live from Beth community, spirituality, and Jewish education than ever Am!; Who Wants to be a Minyanaire; The Jewish Voice with before. Your clergy and professional staff at Temple Beth Cantor Rachelle Nelson; Erev Tov with Rabbi Jaime Aklepi; Am sense this. They have risen to the occasion, working day Reading with the Rabbi with Rabbi Rachel Greengrass; Minyan and night often without any breaks or vacation, to bring you services; and Shabbat Services were all online. the best of Beth Am, despite all the constraints the pandemic imposes upon us. It has been a remarkable year. To date we have broadcasted over 400 original programs at Temple Beth Am! Over the course of the last year, even as the pandemic took hold and uprooted all of our lives, Temple Beth Am has And all of us learned to use Zoom. relentlessly, almost in spite of the virus, moved forward. Zoom shabbat; Zoom Torah Study; Zoom everything: board What have we been up to? meetings; executive committee meetings; management team; clergy team; directors; day school. All of it on Zoom. The world We said farewell to our longtime, beloved Executive Director changed and we adapted. We kept moving forward for Beth Am. G-d willing, we must find a way to deliver the promise. From those of us who are able, as a blessing for those Relaunching Beyond the Curve Campaign who are not, and as a blessing for those who have not yet come to this place, we will give the gift of community, We must continue to move forward because that is the Beth Am of being responsible one for the other, and of continuing way. We cannot, must not, let this relatively short detour in our Beth Am’s legacy of building a brighter tomorrow. lives hinder our progress. In the coming days, we will release the plans for Phase 2 We are so grateful to the almost 200 families that have enabled of the project, which will include a new indoor basketball our “Beyond the Curve” Capital Campaign to commence its work gymnasium, a beautiful, state of the art performing arts so that our most precious resource, our children, will be in that center, and a welcome center, complete with abundant beautiful 3-story school building on campus on time for the fall party and meeting space where we will fulfill the dream of 2021 school year. gathering for musical, cultural, educational and spiritual events and opportunities like never before. We will be the And, after the High Holidays, we will relaunch our campaign to center for Jewish life, for cultural and spiritual growth, and complete our work. for celebration in all of Miami Dade County. Keep an eye out for the upcoming emails and links. Some of you may question why we would want to restart our capital campaign amidst the economic crisis the pandemic has Families, in good times and bad, have each other’s backs. caused for so many. And it is an honest question indeed. But The Beth Am family is no exception. Our mission will here are six things we know: continue. We will always be the beacon for the South Dade Jewish Community. And our future remains bright thanks (a) delaying the campaign would be economically damaging to to the combined light all of you shine on our community the building project: stopping the construction would produce every single day. significant costs and delays, making the project more expensive than it needs to be; L’Shalom,

(b) we owe it to our children to give them this incredible Stuart facility to learn, play, and grow;

(c) while the pandemic has threatened the economic stability of Article content taken from President’s remarks on the High Holy many in our community, the fact is that many of us are doing Days. well and some even better during this pandemic: no one who cannot give would ever be expected or asked, we understand that, but at the same time there are many in our community who have not been impacted and who can give generously. As a family, those of us who can find their way to generosity will happily help those of us who cannot;

(d) we know that this pandemic and it’s economic impact won’t last forever, and we have faith that better, more stable economic times are right around the corner.

(e) We also remain committed to our dream to house the most vibrant, thriving, and engaging Jewish community in the Reform movement, to give our families in south Miami Dade County a center for Jewish life, and to enrich Beth Am and the broader community with cultural and athletic opportunities. We have a vision, and we believe in Beth Am’s commitment to that vision.

(f) And finally, Beth Am’s major donors have made once in a generation financial gifts to this campaign that bestow upon us the privilege and the responsibility to see it through. We are recipients of a blessing that has come to us at this moment. We hold in our hands, therefore, a responsibility to future generations to give, to build, to sacrifice so that tomorrow is better than today. In honor of those gifts, and in honor of our children and our grandchildren and even great grandchildren,

Page 7 Commentator October 2020 • Page 8 Membership Rita Diaz Membership Director [email protected]

Committee of 100 Evening of Entertainment Saturday, November 7 6:45 p.m. Havdallah with program to follow

We cordially invite our Committee of 100, Presidents Honor Circle, Rabbis Honor Circle, Circle of Blessing and Circle of Life members to an intimate evening of music and comedy featuring Sandy Hackett and his lovely and talented wife, Lisa Dawn Miller, for a special performance to honor your commitment to our Temple Beth Am family.

Sandy Hackett is the son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett. Sandy’s original production, “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show,” is currently in its 11th year and is a huge success in theaters across America.

Sandy and his wife Lisa, daughter of the legendary songwriter, Ron Miller, recently launched “My Buddy,” a live theatrical production about the life of Buddy Hackett starring Sandy and directed by Lisa.

We hope you will join us for this captivating Zoom gathering! A Q&A session follows the program.

RSVP is a must, please call Donna at 305.667.6667 or [email protected] You will receive the zoom information by November 1.

Questions? Contact Rita Diaz at 305.323.9322. Please join us Friday, October 2, 2020 for a special Shabbat service on Erev Sukkot honoring our newest members to our Temple Beth Am community. A special blessing will be made in their honor

6:00 pm Zoom Gathering gf 6:30 pm Shabbat Service

If you are a new member to Temple Beth Am, please RSVP to Rita Diaz at [email protected] or on our website at www.tbam.org/newmember

Page 9 Commentator October 2020 • Page 10

Tamara Donnenfeld Director of Lifelong Learning [email protected]

What does Judaism teach us?

It took me several attempts to write this article. I didn’t want to us focus on what really matters. Let’s engage in things that talk about the pandemic. After all, it has been our constant for add to our lives, that bring value and makes us a better person. half of the year and, as creatures of habit, we adapted to this Education and community are of the upmost importance. Both new normal. We spent months isolated at home, with summer elements help us move through challenges, care for the spiritual, plans that were cancelled and dreams that were postponed, emotional and intellectual needs of the people and ensures a learning the hard way that the only thing certain in this period brighter future. is uncertainty, and vulnerability. Knowing our Jewish stories offers us perspective to face During this period, many social justice issues became the uncertainty with less fear and anxiety, it also portrays our center of attention in our lives. Economic justice, systemic ancestors as flawed and vulnerable people. As we pass this discrimination, access to basic needs were many of the topics temporary time of uncertainty and vulnerability, let’s continue discussed in the homes, among our teens and adults alike. exploring our people’s stories and traditions, let’s draw resilience and wisdom from our millenary texts. In doing so, Back in summer, BAFTY teens created a full program about we will be able to find comfort but also sources to replenish our Black Lives Matter and joined local Jewish organizations Jewish selves. to discuss this issue and advocate. Our Social Justice Teen Fellowship has launched virtually with two full cohorts and Chag Sameach, will be engaging in many current and relevant topics. Though this year most travels have been placed on hold, we believe we can still make a mark, advocate and act from the safety Tamara of our homes. Confirmation will still participate in aspects of the L’Taken Seminar, with sessions throughout the year that will offer meaningful, fun and actionable Jewish social justice education in a virtual setting. The CoExist Fellowship with Rabbi Greengrass will offer opportunities to learn from and with other teens from different faiths. All these programs have a two-pronged approach. On one hand they focus on urgent needs and on the other hand they transform the future, as our teens are armed with empathy, knowledge, and values to tackle contemporary challenges.

Our tradition is deeply rooted in values and we begin instilling them into our children from a young age. Starting elementary school, our students learn about Mitzvot, derech eretz and community. As our children grow, the level of sophistication in our curriculum increases. It marvels me to hear students bring up a current issue, engage in debate and be genuinely interested! No wonder why so many high school juniors and seniors apply to our fellowships!

As we enter the holiday of Sukkot we are, again, reminded of the fragility and temporary-ness of our lives! This fragility comes to teach us that time is finite and that every moment is a blessing and an opportunity. So, in the spirit of Sukkot, let Erica Golden Youth Engagement Director [email protected]

Every year our 10th graders in Confirmation get the opportunity to attend the Religious Action Center’s lifechangingL’Taken Social Justice Seminar in Washington, D.C. During this 4-day experience, our teens meet other high schoolers from around the country, celebrate Shabbat, learn about current social and political issues and what Judaism teaches us about these issues, and ultimately lobby to our representatives making a lasting difference in our community.

While many of us best know the RAC for L’Taken, this seminar is just one of the many programs and initiatives we have at our fingertips as Reform Jews to become more involved in civic engagement. Here at Temple Beth Am, our Social Justice Teen Fellowship for 11th and 12th graders is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about social, economic, and environmental issues in our world from a Jewish lens. This past summer, our BAFTY teens met with Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the RAC, to learn more about how they can make a difference in the world and pursue justice as Jewish teens. The one suggestion Rabbi Pesner kept coming back to is: vote.

Rabbi Pesner shared with us that young voters, our seniors in high school and college students have the power to make a real difference in our community by registering and voting. The RAC’s civic engagement campaign includes a special initiative working to engage student voters and encourage teens under 18 preregister to vote. I am happy to connect anyone to information regarding how to register, how to start a (virtual) registration drive, and help you get more involved with the RAC’s campaign on civic engagement and combatting voter suppression.

As we get closer to Election Day on November 3, BAFTY will be leading a program to learn more about what issues are on the ballot this year and how to get more involved with voting even if you are not quite old enough to vote yourself. Stay tuned for more information on additional teen opportunities to participate in programs with Temple Beth Am and the RAC. Temple Beth Am is striving to increase voting participation and our youth engagement programs are ready to support that effort! Throughout American history, Jews have played an important role in the pursuit of all kinds of justice and this includes large voter turnout. Let’s continue to be changemakers in our communities.

Page 11 Commentator October 2020 • Page 12 MAZEL TOV B'NAI MITZVAH

Jordan Anne Glassman October 17, 2020 Jordan is a 7th grade gifted student at Palmetto Middle School. She has a brilliant mind, is an avid reader, loves to play tennis, sails with the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, and is an advanced chorister with the Miami Children’s Chorus. Above all she is kind, compassionate, and loyal to friends and family. Her parents Jennie and Jeremy and grandparents Donald and Paula are extremely proud of her and excited to celebrate this special day.

Zachary Cohen October 17, 2020 Zachary is a 7th grade Honors student at Palmetto Middle School. He loves science, biking and being with his friends. A Tae Kwon Do Blackbelt, he loves training and competing in tournaments. He is smart, kind and especially funny with his witty sense of humor. His parents,Debbie and Jason, are proud of his ac- complishments and know he will succeed in whatever he attempts. They can’t wait to celebrate this special day.

Alexis Barna October 24, 2020 Lexi is a graduate of Temple Beth Am Day School and is currently an 8th grader at Ransom Everglades. Lexi is a competitive dancer, loves art and spending time with friends and family. We are so proud of her as she is called to the Torah for her Bat Mitzvah. We love you! Mami, Ryan and your whole giant loving family.

Jake Andre October 24, 2020 Jake is an 8th grade gifted student at Palmetto Middle School. He is an excellent student, caring friend, wonderful big brother and loving son. Jake loves spending time with his family and friends, cooking, boating, and fishing. His parentsStacy and Robert, siblings Tori and Brooke, are extremely proud of him and look forward to this special occasion.

Logan Mondell October 31, 2020 Logan is a graduate of Temple Beth Am Day School and is currently a 7th grader at Southwood Middle. Logan’s passion is theater, and she is in the drama magnet program at her school. Her parents, Michelle and Bart are so proud of everything Logan does and are excited for her special day. PHASE 2 REVEALED… THE AMAZING JOURNEY CONTINUES This is a monumental moment worthy of commemorating. Introducing Phase 2 with never been seen plans and renderings. Come take a peek inside and BE A PART OF THE JOURNEY.

Welcome Center, Side View Phase 2 construction will begin next Summer 2021, when Phase 1 is complete. Our entire leadership team is working together to complete the plans for the second phase. PHASE 2 FEATURES » Cultural and Activity Center » Youth Lounge » Teacher’s Lounge » Kitchen » Performing Arts » Athletic Complex » Bride’s Room » State of the Art AV Systems » Outdoor Cultural Center/Chapel » Indoor Gymnasium Facility » Staging Room Life Center » Lobby with Seating Areas » Adult Reading Room » School Lunchroom/ » Outdoor Basketball Court » Top Nosh Café » Two Meeting Rooms Multi-Purpose Room » Instructional Pool Virtually step inside and see more of what is in store for everyone! Visit www.tbam.org/beyondthecurve

Performing Arts Center/Chapel Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Room Indoor Basketball Court WE HAVE RAISED $36.5 MILLION, THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR CURRENT DONORS. It will take the financial support of our entire congregation and school families to make sure that this dream is complete, and we have met our fundraising goal of $55 million. We are counting on you to help us get to the finish line.

Please participate in a zoom conversation about your gift or a virtual parlor meeting about how you can help. Contact Ilana Gilat, Development Director, [email protected], 786.364.9429. Together we will complete the vision of our Beyond the Curve campus! Page 13 Commentator October 2020 • Page 14 programming Andrea LeVine Program Director [email protected]

Be There!

Simchat Torah 5781 Friday, October 9

6:00 p.m. Pre-Neg 6:30 p.m. Shabbat and Festival Service

On Simchat Torah, we honor our commitment to Torah as we complete our reading for the year, and begin a new cycle for the new year. Noah’s Bark Shabbat Friday, October 23 • 5:30 p.m. Celebrate the sweetness Our pets are true blessings in our lives, and they deserve of Torah as we ring in a blessing of their own! Bring your furry, feathered, and scaled friends to your screen for a special virtual Shabbat Shabbat together! with Rabbi Jaime (and Zaney) Aklepi and Cantor Rachelle (and Lyla Tov) Nelson to honor our the animals that touch our lives! Zoom link at tbam.org/noahsbark VIRTUAL CAMPUS Throughout the last few months, Temple Beth Am has turned the limitations of being virtual into opportunities to highlight the vibrancy of our community in fresh and intimate ways. Every Thursday on Erev Tov! with Rabbi Jaime Aklepi and The Jewish Voice with Cantor Rachelle Nelson, we invite you to get to know individuals at Beth Am and beyond that make contemporary Jewish life dynamic and diverse. Watch every Thursday on www.tbam.org/streaming, on our Facebook page, or at www.youtube.com/TempleBethAmTV. It’s the new Must-See TV!

EREV TOV! WITH RABBI JAIME AKLEPI Thursdays at 5:30pm “Erev Tov” means “Good Evening” in Hebrew, and it’s always a good evening when Rabbi Jaime Aklepi invites a new guest to the “studio” for a drink and a chat! Join her every Thursday as you move from workday to evening and work week to weekend. Mix one part Happy Hour with words of wisdom and some human interest, and you get Erev Tov! We have welcomed a broad range of guests, many of whom have brought fresh perspectives on the impact of COVID-19, and all of whom bring their unique gifts to our community! From experts on fitness to mental health, chats about anti-Semitism on college campuses to adjusting to virtual learning for our little ones, tips on organizing your space to cooking a healthy meal, Erev Tov invites you to learn more about the voices and faces that make Temple Beth Am such a special place. Kick back, relax, learn something new, and get to know your fellow congregants every week on Erev Tov!

THE JEWISH VOICE WITH CANTOR RACHELLE NELSON Thursdays at 7:00pm Cantor Nelson’s impact on the world of Jewish music is huge, and she has been so excited each week to introduce you to some of her favorite contemporary Jewish musicians, who reach us on a level that only music truly can. So much of the beauty of our tradition lies in the way we continue to interpret it, and every Thursday on The Jewish Voice, Cantor Nelson invites you to an intimate conversation with the superstars of yesterday, today, and tomorrow about what moves them Jewishly, musically, and spiritually. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the stories that inspired so many of the melodies that bring us together as a kehillah kedoshah, a sacred community.

Miss an episode of your favorite Thursday show? We’ve got you covered! Our entire back catalog is available to view at www.tbam.org/streaming, and at www.youtube.com/TempleBethAmTV! Page 15 Commentator

October 18 at 10:30 a.m. (on Zoom and www.tbam.org/streaming)

Sylvia Gurinsky, local historian, guide for Context Travel, Flamingo Gardens, the Miami-Dade County Women’s Park and co-host of the television series “Roadside Florida,” presents: La Communidad: The Rise, Migration and Survival of Cuba’s Jewish Community in Two Countries. For hundreds of years, while Cuba was a Spanish territory, the Jewish people could not openly practice their religion there. That changed after the Spanish-American War. For almost 60 years, changing patterns of Jewish migration resulted in a community rich in spiritual and cultural traditions. The coming of Fidel Castro to power in 1959 caused yet another migration – in large part, to South Florida. Those who stayed behind maintained the community in a different fashion. This presentation will look at the history of the Jewish community of Cuba, the move to and adjustment of thousands in the Sunshine State, and how even time and political changes could not break established bonds.

Introducing the Jewish Virtual Library Anything you need to know from Anti-Semitism to Zionism https://www.jewishvirtualibrary.org/

Actual visits to our marvelous library and the Adult Reading Room are limited, if not impossible, during these difficult times. However, there is no need to limit your search for knowledge as our Congregational Library’s web page (tbam.org/library) has an amazing link to a virtual Jewish Library. Created by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), the JVL (Jewish Virtual Library) is the most comprehensive online encyclopedia of Jewish history, politics, and culture. It consists of 13 wings: Anti-Semitism, Biography, History, Holocaust, Israel, Israel Education, Myths & Facts, Politics, Religion, Travel, US & Israel, Vital Stats, and Women. According to this AICE project director, “Much of the information in the Library cannot be found anywhere else in the world, such as material on joint U.S.-Israel projects, cooperation between Israel and the individual states and the treatment of Americans during the Holocaust. We received permission from the Library of Congress to put its Judaic and Hebraic treasures on our site. We have also received permission to use material from government and non-government sources around the world. We also publish primary documents from archives, including declassified materials from the United States and the United Kingdom. One of our goals is to offer visitors a single source for information so they don’t need to search thousands of other “Jewish” web sites.”

Adult Reading Room Library events are coordinated by Etta Gold, Congregational Librarian. Contact Etta at [email protected] or 786.264.6543

SUNDAY, SCHMOOZE OCTOBER 4 IN THE 6:00 PM For more details, visit SUKKAH! www.tbam.org/boomersukkah Page 17 Commentator October 2020 • Page 18

Oct 4 – Rock ‘n Run Social Justice Speaker Series (See p. 17) October 7, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Kerry-Ann Royes, Miami YWCA

Kerry-Ann Royes, MBA, President and CEO of Miami YWCA will be speaking on the recent challenge for South Florida to take 21 steps towards Racial Equity and will provide those of us who care to participate with our own community challenge. Zoom link at tbam.org/ywca

Simchat Torah Book Drive We continue to strive for a 100% Voting Community for Temple Beth Temple Beth Am is collecting gently-used children’s books to donate to our community’s children Am. See facing for more information who are in need of books. on deadlines and polling places for the coming election on November 3. Miami Book Fair’s literacy initiative Read to Learn Books for Free, in partnership with The Children’s Trust, stocks 65 book shelves located all over town with Make sure college and high school gently-used children’s books, providing every child the students who are of age register and opportunity to take books home for free. vote in this most important election. Please keep the shelves stocked by donating baby Vote early or apply for a Mail In books, first readers and picture books. Ballot if you are concerned about vot- If you have children’s ing in person. Mail In Ballots can be books to donate, please hand delivered to early voting loca- drop them off at Books tions. Anyone interested in making and Books in Pinecrest, or reach out to Lisa Palley phone calls to insure underserved res- at [email protected] to idents take advantage of the right to coordinate a book pick up. vote can reach out to Judy Cowan or Shelley Jacoby for more information Together we can change the statistic that only one on how you can help everyone to have in 300 children own a their voices heard. book at home. EVERY VOICE, EVERY VOTE

This year, Temple Beth Am is engaging with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in “Every Voice, Every Vote,” the Reform Jewish Movement’s 2020 civic engagement campaign, a nonpartisan effort to strengthen our democracy by encourag- ing everyone to participate in our U.S. elections. Our goal is 100 percent voter participation by our TBAM community.

Election days • General Election, November 3 - Early Voting is 10/24-31* • You must register to vote by October 5 for General Election

*Days may be increased so check miamidade.gov/elections and click on early voting for updates

You must request vote-by-mail ballots separately from your voter registration. The voted ballot must be returned and re- ceived by the County Supervisor of Elections no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. You can return the ballot by mail in the postage pre-paid envelope (remember to sign the envelope!) OR you can drop it off in a secure drop-box at every Early Voting location. You can also still vote in person at the polls even if you have requested a mail ballot. If you have previously registered for vote-by-mail, you need to ensure that you are registered for this election cycle, as the registration is valid for 2 election cycles.

These are important steps that you can take now to ensure that your voice counts: • Check your voter registration status at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov to make sure all your pertinent information is in order and your signature matches your current one.

• You can register to vote or update your address or party affiliation atRegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. To update your signature, print the voter registration application from the website, fill it out and sign it, and mail it to the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections (address on form).

• Enroll in vote-by-mail at MiamiDade.gov/Elections even if you plan to vote at your polling place . We do not know what the situation will be in the upcoming elections and you want to be prepared. You can also check the status of whether your mail ballot has been sent/received/counted and check other election information at the same website. If you decide to vote in person be sure to confirm your voting location and review sample ballots prior to voting.

• Show your commitment to voting by printing out and completing the sign “I am a Reform Jew and I vote because...”, and take a photograph of yourself and your sign to share and tag on social media. You can print the sign and instructions here: https://rac.org/ourvoters

• Volunteer to phone bank, text bank, or post card bank (virtually or in-person) to reach out to low propensity voters through the Center for Common Ground’s Reclaim Our Voice Campaign: https://urj.tfaforms.net/252

Page 19 Commentator October 2020 • Page 20

Mini-Mitzvah Day! Sunday, October 4, 2020

Virtual Rock ’n Run 2020 RACE AT YOUR OWN PACE - DANCE IN YOUR OWN SPACE 9:00 a.m. ET - The rock portion will take place via zoom

Taking a stand against Breast & Ovarian Cancer, an event to unite our community in the fight against breast and ovarian cancer and promote awareness to enhance prevention and early detection.

If you can’t participate, please consider making a donation online www.rocknrun.org/donate .

RAC-FL Civic Engagement Mitzvah Day

Join congregations and communities from across Florida for an afternoon and evening of learning and action through RAC- FL’s 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign. In an election year where so much is at stake for Reform Jewish values, we will hear about the current state of voter suppression in Florida, reach out to low propensity voters to ensure they have the informa- tion and tools to vote (and vote safely), and learn about the Florida ballot and mechanics of vote-by-mail. Please register for individual sessions below. Come for any portion or the entire program! Watch for signup information to follow.

Session 1 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET Learning session on the Hebrew Prophets and Civic Engagement with Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev, The Beit Midrash, Santa Fe, NM

Session 2 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. ET Keynote conversation with Desmond Meade, founder of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and activist Valen- cia Gunder, moderated by Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz, Temple Beth Sholom, Miami Beach

Session 3 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. ET Phone banking with New Florida Majority Education Fund to mobilize infrequent voters in Florida

Session 4 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. ET Evening educational program with the League of Women Voters, Miami-Dade and Common Cause

For more information contact Jeff Agron at [email protected] Or Shelley Jacoby at [email protected] THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US AT DRIVE-IN SHABBAT ON AUGUST 21ST. IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER OF THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. WE HAD A BLAST AND HOPE YOU DID TOO! Commentator October 2020 • Page 22

Letter from the President I know this year’s High Holy Days looked and felt very different. I hope you were still able to find meaning and were inspired by the clergy in the Days of Awe. Our clergy and all of the wonderful staff worked tirelessly to ensure that we had the best and safest experience possible. I personally feel refreshed and hopeful that this new year will bring health and more good health to all of us. Sisterhood is off and running! We filled two Learn-to-Read Hebrew classes chaired by Susan Golinsky and taught by Drora Davis. We had a meaningful and informative Women’s Torah Study organized by Sheri Lieberman and taught by Rabbi Aklepi. We’ve had our book club meeting led by Lori Fabry and Angela Durand and our first movie club meeting led by Fredi Cogan, Carol Flicker and Amy Mittelberg. Thank you ladies for all of your hard work. We’re excited for the upcoming events on our calendar! We have another movie club event on October 19 (details below) and our fabulous opening event on October 22nd. This event will be truly “magical!” Our Tikkun Olam committee, under the direction of Janet Kelfer, has also been working extremely hard to keep us informed and involved. Sisterhood and Brotherhood have joined together to donate new books to our day school library. Sisterhood is also participating in an Intercommunity Conversation program with women from a local church in an attempt to better understand and accept each other’s social and cultural differences. There is so much going on and we hope that you can find something that piques your interest. If you haven’t already joined, please do. You can do so by filling out the pamphlet that came with your membership packet or by going online to tbam.org/joinsisterhood, or you can email Aida Littauer: [email protected]. Hopefully, in the not so distant future, we will be able to share these programs in person. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] with any thoughts or comments.

DILIA GROSSMAN, Sisterhood President Sisterhood Movie Club MONDAY, OCTOBER 19TH 7:00 pm Welcome to Sisterhood Movie Club! Watch from the comfort of your home. Our October movie will be Water For Elephants, starring Reese Witherspoon. Just go to www.justwatch.com and choose what site you want to watch the movie (approx. $3.99), or use whatever site you currently use to watch movies on, then on October 19 at 7:00 pm we will all meet on Zoom and discuss it. Popcorn and wine are welcome! Please RSVP to tbam.org/movieclub for Zoom login information. SISTERHOOD OPENING EVENT

Thursday, October 22, 2020 6:00 PM via Zoom

JOIN US FOR AN INTERACTIVE EVENING FEATURING THE MAGIC OF MIO! He will take you on a magical Zoom adventure as you enjoy a three-course dinner delivered to all 2020-2021 Sisterhood members. We are excited to welcome and celebrate our incoming president, Dilia Grossman, along with our Sisterhood board. Mix & mingle in large and small groups and reconnect virtually with your Sisters! Sisterhood has a wide range of programming in store for you this year, with something for everyone. We’re excited to kick it off together! Sisterhood Opening Event is complimentary for all current 2020-2021 Sisterhood members, but you must RSVP for this event by October 18th in order to participate. We cannot accept reservations after this date. To renew, your membership, visit tbam.org/joinsisterhood. To RSVP for Opening Event, visit tbam.org/openingevent. Page 23 Commentator October 2020 • Page 24

By Dr. Lenore C. Kipper, RJE, Judaic Studies Director, Emerita Enduring Wisdom from the Pirkei Avot The context of the last section of theMishnah, Pirke Avot, was These sayings may be familiar to us. At first reading, they collected and written during the Roman Period of control of seem like common sense, and we could say, of course. But each what was once the national entity of Judea, after the fall of the one has deeper implications. Being part of the community is Second Temple. The rabbis of that period span three hundred essential for keeping yourself connected to Judaism. Living years. Yehuda HaNasi, Judah the Patriarch, was the main editor. Jewishly is not only an individual choice, it is a communal It includes the sayings of Hillel, Shammai, Zakkai, Gamaliel, one. The Jewish People endures when we celebrate together in and others. The biographies of these scholars are described in times of joy, and we unite together in times of distress. Those the resources I previously stated. Their wisdom reflects the real who choose to separate themselves drift away, and they and life circumstances under which they lived. Yet, after so many their children soon fade away from the Jewish community. centuries, we can find relevant meaning for our times today. Why does Hillel say we should not be too sure of ourselves? Don’t we encourage self-confidence? Yes, be proud of your Avot 2: 1 achievements, yet do not become arrogant. The second chapter focuses on an important idea. “What is the right path to choose?” The image of a path to follow is Do not rush to judgement is an idea that is repeated many times frequently described in Jewish thought. The entire system of in Pirke Avot. In our times this is particularly relevant. In this mitzvot and law is called halachah, from the root Hebrew for age of rapid instant media messages, it is important for us to “to walk” or “go.” Each person’s life is a journey. The text, dig deeper, gain more knowledge, look at both sides of an issue “Walk before me with integrity” is in Genesis, where God is before coming to conclusions. This is particularly important to speaking to Abraham. It is a call to righteous action, to choose remember when we see or meet individuals for the first time. Is to create a path that brings you honor and a good name. he a nerd? Is she too old to understand? Is he homeless because he is lazy? Is this student too weak to learn? When we look Avot 2: 2 beyond the first impressions, we will then be able to understand Rabbi Gamaliel, son of Yehudah HaNasi said: “It is good to others. join the study of Torah with work, with derech eretz.” The meaning of derech eretz is used for work and also the way of The next sentence reminds us to speak clearly so that our the land. Why? This idea was included so that those who are thoughts are not misunderstood. In conclusion, continue to Rabbis and scholars do not separate themselves from the real learn, to study, become a lifelong learner! world. Scholars are warned not to become arrogant. They must understand derech eretz, good manners, humility, caring Avot 2: 5 for others, and add to their learning the ordinary ways of the “In a place where there are no human beings, strive to be one.” community. This quote from Hillel teaches that each of us must choose to become a mensch! So what is a mensch? In Jewish tradition Avot 2: 3 when someone is called a mensch, it is a strong compliment of “Be cautious of the government, for they befriend you only praise. It is a Yiddish word that represents one of the highest when it benefits them. They seem like friends when it is to their ideals a person can reach. A mensch is a decent, upright human advantage, but when you need them, they don’t stand by you being who thinks and acts from the heart to help others. It when you are in distress.” implies a person of integrity, kindness, caring concern for those This was written to warn the Jewish community to be cautious who need help, choosing goodness and righteousness in daily about the ruling powers because there were times when interchanges with other people. A mensch is a person who the Jewish People lived in the Diaspora communities as a behaves in ways that reflect the ethical and moral teachings of minority, when they were sometimes in favor with the rulers, Judaism. Choose to be a mensch! and at other times, they became the object of oppression and persecution. Although this was written under the time of the During the holiday of Sukkot, which begins October 2, it Roman Empire, it certainly has been true during every age and is a custom to share with those in need. This custom was stage of the Jewish journey throughout the Diaspora. There are established as far back as the time of King Solomon. It is a good so many examples: under the Greeks, the Romans, the Catholic time to make donations to organizations that support and help Church, Islamic rulers, Russia, some European countries, those in our community who need help. It is a time of gratitude especially Germany, and even in the United States. (This is a and a time to count your blessings. class in Jewish history!) Chag Sameach, happy holiday! Avot 2: 4 Hillel said, “Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not be too sure of yourself until the day you die. Do not judge Lenore your friends until you are in their place. Say nothing that cannot be understood. And do not say ‘when I have time I will study,’ you may never have the time.” Giving Back We encourage you to read all about the unique funds that have been set up by CORNERS OF Temple Beth Am and our families. Please consider making a contribution to help grow OUR FIELDS the funds and benefit different areas of need in our Temple and community. Donations can be made to commemorate a simcha in your family, pay tribute SCHOLARSHIP to a friend, mark the Yahrzeit of a loved one or simply to do a mitzvah, FUND Temple Beth Am has a variety of funds and different ways to give. Through an act of Chesed, GENERAL FUND Caring, the Culverhouse Donations made to the General Fund serve as a much-needed resource as they family has generously support the many outstanding social, cultural, and educational programs provided by Temple Beth Am to enrich the lives of our members and the community at-large. established the Corners of our Fields Scholarship Fund CAMP FUNDS/JEWISH CAMPING EXPERIENCES for Temple Beth Am Day Arnelle Solomon Camp Scholarship Fund School families. This new Isidor Oren Camp Scholarship Fund scholarship fund will offer Leslee Aronovitz Youth Scholarship Fund families with recent financial CLERGY FUNDS hardship, tuition support, so Rabbi Barras Discretionary Fund Rabbi Greengrass Discretionary Fund that their children may continue Cantor Nelson Discretionary Fund Rabbi Aklepi Discretionary Fund to benefit from our Jewish Day DAY SCHOOL FUNDS School. Donations of any amount Day School Annual Fund The Shepard King Scholarship Fund are greatly appreciated and Corners of our Fields Scholarship Fund The Lenore Kipper Endowment Fund will surely make a difference. Matthew Kass Scholarship Fund Lewis D. Silverman M.D. Scholarship Fund

Should you need tuition RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUNDS assistance, please contact Keren Yaldi Children’s Fund Cari Altman, Dean of Admissions and TIKKUN OLAM FUNDS Student Affairs ([email protected]) Tikkun Olam General Fund Caring Community Fund or Brian Chartock, Executive INDIVIDUAL FUNDS Director ([email protected]) Stephen Arky Family Caring Fund Library Fund to have a confidential conversation Dr. Morton M. Axler Scholar-In-Residence Fund Prayer Book Fund about your family. Programas en Español (Spanish programming) Brotherhood of Temple Beth Am The Joan Kramer Gallant and Sisterhood of Temple Beth Am Tzedakah will keep us together Martin Gallant Children’s Fund The Howard & Sharon Gurman Socol Family and we will heal and grow with The Wendy Lester Fund for Foundation Speakers Series Fund compassion, dignity, and kindness. Breast Cancer Education Yahrzeit Fund

To make a contribution to any of these funds, please visit www.tbam.org/donate or contact Ilana Gilat, [email protected]. For tax purposes, your gift is tax-deductible. Commentator October 2020 • Page 26

SAVE THE DATE

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 One Day Only. 24 Hours of Online Giving. Donate $25 or more and help support and enhance our schools and all aspects of the Temple Beth Am campus life.

GiveMiamiDay.org (select Temple Beth Am)

We will celebrate Give Miami Day with PATIO! Stay tuned for special details. One of our most important traditions– an obligation to give, each in our own way, to help others.It is what makes us a strong, a united and a just people. Thank you for supporting Temple Beth Am on the Committee of 100 levels and making membership affordable to all.

CIRCLE OF LIFE Jill Nexon Berman Bernie & Deborah Harris Lenny Roberts & Elaine Klein Hugh & Eliza Culverhouse & Michael Elmaleh Dolly Harris Alan Rosenthal Richard & Colleen Fain David & Alison Bernstein Stuart Harris Jeff & Lillian Rosenberg Jon & Tina Kislak Bob Berrin Mark & Helen Hauser Bob & Susan Rosenthal Leslie Miller Saiontz Fran Berrin Greg & Jennifer Herskowitz *Adam & Erin Rubin Richard Yulman Roslyn Berrin Rick Schurr Steven & Cindy Rudin Tim & Jennifer Bielawski & Christy Hertz Schurr Daniel Sachar CIRCLE OF BLESSING Alex & Lynn Binstock Frank & Jodi Hessel & Kate Lampen-Sachar David & Beth Ertel Clinton & Elizabeth Biondo *Marcell & Ainsley Hetenyi Steven Safren & William Pirl Elisabeth Frank James Block & Janet Nesbitt Bob Hill & Jennifer Ferriss-Hill Peter & Wendy Salomon Barbara Havenick Edward & Iliana Blumberg *Aaron & Maura Hollub Gary & Lisa Saul & Len Morrison Mauricio & Maggie Brener Chuck & Roberta Jacoby Joan Schaeffer Dick & Susan Lampen Michael & Janet Brown Joe & Shelley Jacoby & Roberta Mandel Mark & Nedra Oren David & Donna Buchwald Jason & Lisa James David & Joan Scheiner Aaron & Dorothy Podhurst Jeffrey & Lisa Buchwald Susan Kahn Kevin & Robyn Schumacher David & Lily Serviansky Marc & Becky Buchwald Leonard & Debby Kalman Howard & Jill Schwartz David & Melissa Buckner Ron & Karen Kammer Zachary & Katarina Segal RABBIS HONOR CIRCLE Stephen & Marni Cain Sara Kapustin Allan & Sarah Serviansky Alan & Jayusia Bernstein Tony Ciminero Ira & Randye Karmin Ethan & Amy Shapiro Joez”l & Anita Hoffman & Joanne Bauling-Ciminero Arnaud & Rebecca Karsenti John Shepard Michael & Valerie Katz Gary & Carol Cohen Ezra & Tati Katz & Donna Bitterman-Shepard David & Stacey Leibowitz William & Bobbie Cohen Casey & Loren Klein Ruth Shere & Jessica Coggins Daniel Lewis & Valerie Dillon Jack & Cookie Cohn Gary & Leo Kluger Howard & Stacey Shoer Laura Serruya Paul & Jolie Cummings Bruce Kohrman Gerald Backman David & Debra Deutch & Diane Krieger & Marlene Silverman PRESIDENTS HONOR Harold & Nanci Deutsch *Jay & Joanne Koren Sean Simon & Perri Young CIRCLE Ken & Adrian Dubow Murray & Ilene Kossman *Ed & Barbara Sirkin Gary & Barbara Davis Norman & Edith Einspruch Roman & Cristina Krislav *Bradford & Rachel Sohn Charlene Esserman Victor & Eileen Faradji Frank & Helene Kronberg Brad & Lauren Sokol Daniel & Amanda Gluck Dan & Julianne Farkas Howard & Linda Landy Steven & Staci Solomon Terry & Diane Goldberg Robert & Donna Feldman John & Amy Beth Leighton Steven & Melissa Spann Stuart & Dianne Gottlieb Cynthia Fien Paul & Zoe Leinoff Brian & Meryl Spector *Harry & Amy Hollub Justin & Natalie Firestone Eric Levin David & Meryl Spigelman *Joe & Shelley Jacoby Paul Fishbein Ray & Susan Malca Scott Squires Barbara Levin Leonard & Patricia Fluxman Jeffrey & Rebecca Mandler & Danielle Katz Squires *Stephen Lipof Steven & Nadine Foldes Jeff & Niki Marcus Cliff & Shelly Stamler & Allison Szmulewicz Karel Foti Jay & Lisa Massirman Joshua & Kerri Stone Victor & Lisa Mendelson Barry & Debra Frank Jim & Carol Mattei Richard & Pamela Strassberg Stuart & Mycki Ratzan David & Linda Frankel Clifford & Diana Mermell Daniel & April Stuzin Scott & Michelle Sarason Gregory & Alexandra Frankel Elliot Messing & Faye Koniver *Betty Suchman Joel & Randy Schenkman Martin & Julie Franklin Steve & Adrienne Messing John & Jo Sumberg Richard & Jackie Siegel Mitchell & Adria Friedman Marc & Marian Milgram Myron & Monica Tanenbaum Howard & Sharon Socol Mark & Belinda Gilbert Rick & Amy Mittelberg Harold & Flippy Tanenbaum Larry & Tracey Spiegelman *Keith & Melissa Ginsburg Peter Moser Henry & Marcia Trattler Robert & Michele Stone Amir & Jane Gold Adam & Jessica Moskowitz Harley & Sherry Tropin Harris Goldberg Alexander & Lily Moskovitz *Tomer & Johanna Tzur COMMITTEE OF 100 & Lisa Esserman Craig & Deirdre Nash Elion Vinocur Irwin Adler Hazel Goldman Jeffrey & Susan Nullman & Rebecca Shull Vinocur Gary & Eileen Alvo Philip & Loren Gold Michael & Marlene Olin Howard & Suzanne Wallach Brett & Lauren Amron *Lee & Lisa Goldstein Robbie & Alisa Oppenheim Walter & Michelle Weber Andrea Askowitz Larry & Susan Golinsky *Paul Pataky & Edith Osman Michael & Julie Weiser & Victoria Azpurua Barry & Jennifer Gould Isaac & Mariana Pesin Mitch & Alicia Widom Anthony & Lisa Askowitz Bob & Nancy Green Gabriel & Evelyn Politzer Michael & Betty Wohl Roney & Sofi Balson Bruce Greer Miguel & Lezlie Poyastro Carlos & Meredith Wolf Scott & Debbie Barkow & Evelyn Langlieb Greer David & Sheila Quint Louis Wolfson III David & Karen Baron Divina Grossman David & Susan Racher & Ellen Wolfson George & Monique Befeler Phyllis Grossman Judith Ratzan Howard & Pam Wolofsky Edward Beiner Bob & Shelly Grossman *Jeff & Sue Reamer Adam & Suzanne Zimbler & Daniela Zanzuri-Beiner Bill & Dilia Grossman Danny & Elise van der Reis Michael Zinner Rodney & Linda Benjamin Harvey Gurland, Jr. Terry & Marcia Reisman Warren & Nicole Zinn Alexander & Sara Berkowitz & Carolina Gurland Jack & Jill Reiter Andrew Berkowitz Grant & Meredith Gussin Guillermo * New to this level & Felicia Gould Jason & Laura Haim & Maggie Retchkiman This list reflects renewals after Michael & Jolie Berkowitz Jay & Sandy Halpern Randy & Julie Rieger August 25, 2020. Page 27 Commentator October 2020 • Page 28

WEEK ENDING Naomi Pass* Marcy Sahn Yiska Moser* OCTOBER 2, 2020 Sylvan A. Pawliger* Lenore Schatzman Dr. James Nesbitt III Lena Pushkin Israel Schenkman* James Orovitz Betty Adler Bertha Rabinovich* Jinny Schreckinger Sylvia Pawa James M. Albert* Philipp Rebacz* David Schuham* Henry Podhurst Rosine Axelrad* Yetta Rosenberg* Morris Schwartz Milton M. Raff* Dr. Charles Beckwitt* Jeffrey Rubin Ann Shepard* Israel Revitz* Paul Bell Leatrice Rusoff Ann Silverberg Herbert Rochman* Rose Beslow Max Schlafrock Anna Sklar* Sarah Rosenthal Nat Blumenthal Otto Schrenzel Arnelle Solomon* Fannie Serott* Bernard Blynder* Jack Schwadron Dr. Firth Spiegel* Martin Shane* Pablo Brambier Harry A. Shane* Jeanette Sussman Joseph Shapiro Alfred O. Brenner* Dr. Burton Solar* Bernard Swichkow* Joseph Stricoff* Pauline Breslof Alexander Straus Shirley Valove Carl Syrop Lena Brooks* Ber Zaidorf Oscar Vargas-Bello Andrew Tuvel* Dr. Michael Canning Reuben Weisbein* Herbert Wallens Samuel Cohen WEEK ENDING Herman K. Wilck* Alvin Weinstein Beverly Coopersmith OCTOBER 9, 2020 Ruth B. Wellins* Gloria Cravitt WEEK ENDING Dr. Irving Yulman Marcos DeLima* Herman Amron* OCTOBER 16, 2020 Janet Kalin Yulman* “Nely” Dick* Anthony Arena Lillian Dinnerstein* Beatrice Gould Arkin Rosalind Barlin WEEK ENDING Salomon Ertel* Derrick Benjamin Alberto Javier Beguiristain OCTOBER 24, 2020 Doris Feder Cecille Berk Tula Beiner Fay Feller* Edith Lewis Bernstein* Robert Berger* Dr. Bernard Abel* Dr. Matthew Fishman* Samuel Bild Sylvia Berman* Mary Adler* Jerome Fleeman Roger Alan Blasberg Minnie Bess Jerome Anapol*

Memory Rosemond Fletcher* Rita Cohen* Max Beylen* George Baer Tibor Foldes Ruth Cohen Betty Brooks* Max Beiner Betty K. Freud* Dr. Gordon Einhorn* Yetta Brown Julian Benjamin Stanley N. Friedman* Jason Ellis* Elena Califf* Miriam Bernstein* Sylvia Friedman* Arlette Fischer George Colan* Ann Block* Louis Glassman Klara Foldes Oscar Colsky Gail Brenner Samuel Gnaizda* Elaine Furman Judge Philip Cook Philip Brodatz* H. Robert Goralnick* Arthur Goodman Rachel “Ray” Cutler* Irving Brownstein Edward Grad Albert Grapin Irma Davidson Philip Coe* Morton Gregg Melvin Greenberg Ida S. Dynner* Edwin H. Cohen* Sherwin Gross* Natalie S. Gross* Sarah Engelman Ella Davis* Saul Guttenmacher* Elaine Heller Ida Fein Martha Day* Robert Haber Esther Jablo Rose Fisher Leonard G. Egert* Margienette Jacoby Lucien Karsenti Arthur David Friesner* Frances Feldman* Rafael Kapustin* Joseph King Jacques Haskelson Jack Fiedel* Dr. Harold H. Katz* Gertrude Lerner Judith Henkin Rowland Fink* Theodore Klein Audrey Lissak Dr, Martin H. Kalser Ray Flicker Roben Kressel* Ilse Margot Louis* Irving Kandell* Ann Frost Milton Krieger* Nathan Malin* Elizabeth Kaywin Belle Frost Hazel Kulvin* Gilbert Mallinger Jay Kislak Phillip Fruitstone* Dorothy Leopold Bernard Mandler Belkis Escribano Klau Leonard Fusfield Gayle Israel Levy William S. Nankin* Edith Kohl Sandy Gasman Samuel Lieberman Ruth Nullman* Max Kohrman Saul Genet* Jean Lipp Sidney L. Pachter* L. Gary LeBoss* Eleanor Gordon Susan Marks Theresa Pearl* Fern Leitman* Jane Gross In Loving Roberta Massirman Healy Abraham Poliacoff Rozanne Lester Sanford Milton Grossbart Ceil Messing Alvin Reed* Doris Levin Rose Emma Guberman* Saul Messing* Sarah Ressler* D. Bruce Levy Harvey W. Gurland* Ellen Moser* Eva Retchkiman Mona Lieberman Harold Herman Hoffer Lillian Moser* Ester Rojkis Max Maisel Donald Jacobson* Walter Moser* Dr. Howard B. Rosen Sol Maisel Moses Kahn Bella Moses* Florence Matson Rebecca Kamensky* William S. Parker* Ben Kaufman Beatrice Rosenthal Frances M. Berkowitz* Robert Gerson Levine* Perle Kaufman Reba Safra Bernice Blaier* Marvin Lieberstein* Arnold Kay Ruth Sandler Bernard Bram* Jean Sara Mechlouitz Lewis Isidore King* Gordon Schlafman Sydelle Brass Jacob Meltz Lillian Kitchener* Beryl Schonfeld Bob Brenner* Abner Millman Julius Meyer Klein* Dr. William Schutz Marian Brown Ana Nacach Sylvia Kohrman Robert Schwartz Beatrice Cohen* Douglas Nelson Jonathan Gilbert Krantz* Eve Shapiro Donald Connor Pauline Pollack-Hicks Fay Somer Lawrence* Eugene Silverstein* Davida Copeland Harry Rabinowitz* Irving Lax* Fanny Skoler* Claire Cutler* Esther Astrid Reiter Doris Leventhal* Rafael Sobie* Peter Feldheim* Frances Rosenthal Bernard Lieberman* Sara Stein* Fay Feldman* Elaine Levine Sherman* Irmgard “Irmy” Lipcon* Edith Edles Suchman* Leon Frost* Gerty “Oma” Sobie Esther Margoluis Irving Harold Sussman* Ann H. Ginsburg* Herman Calvin Swain* Walter William Marks* Selig “Sid” Sussman Joan “Joey” Goldsmith George J. Talianoff* Marvin Maultasch Joe Traeger Jacob Goldstein Ida Tischler* Joseph E. May* Howard Craig Uffer* Sarah Rose Goodheim* Gail Vinocur Leonard Merin* Dr. Mark Webman* Dorothy Gorman Gerald M. Weinstein* H. Jack Miller Dr. Henry Wechsberg* Yvette Granite Dorothy Weiss Harry Moldavsky Lena Weiner* Robert Greene, Sr. Helen Wheatman Tillie Morling* Beverly Weksler Henni Gross Daniel Wise Howard Naftulin Sylvia Kalman* Edith Oelsner WEEK ENDING Joseph Kamensky* Morris Pepper* OCTOBER 30, 2020 Kitty Kandell* Dorothy Rabinowitz* Arthur Kane* Edythe Reiser Adele K. Ades* Gene Kaplan Marcia Resnick Kermit Artzt* Harvey Kazlow* Avraham Retchkiman Seymour Barlin Evelyn Kempler Esther Rosenbach* Graciela Behar Benjamin Kramer * Denotes individuals with a plaque in our sanctuary. Beile Gross Rosenfeld* Pola Berenstein Robyn Lazear

POSTPONED See you in 2021! tbam.org/golf

Page 29 Commentator October 2020 • Page 30

BROTHERHOOD FUND Adrian and Ken Dubow in honor of the birth of Jonah Daniel and Judy Cowan in memory of Jeanette Brodkey, Carroll, grandson of Lauren and Brad Sokol mother of Mike Brodkey Arthur Miller in contribution toward Brotherhood’s LEWIS D. SILVERMAN M.D. donation to the Day School library for purchasing SCHOLARSHIP FUND children’s books Susan and Samuel Spatzer in memory of Dr. Albert Tawil

CANTOR NELSON’S DISCRETIONARY FUND LIBRARY FUND Linda Fine in loving memory of my parents, Harry Etta and Don Gold in honor of the birth of Isaac Bern and Helen Boosin Hoffman, grandson of Ilisa and Richard Hoffman Rosie Levine and Family in appreciation for the and great-grandson of Rita Swichkow meaningful service and your comforting words Etta and Don Gold in honor of the birth of Elliott Robin and Bradley Cassel in loving memory of Littauer, grandson of Aida and Neil Littauer Dr. Albert Tawil Marlene and Joel Kaplan in loving memory of RABBI AKLEPI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Dr. Albert Tawil Marilyn Caplin and family in memory of Paul Friedman, with affection and appreciation for Paul and Emily’s CARING COMMUNITY FUND music over the years Susan and Paul Fletcher in memory of Dr. Albert Tawil Jeffrey Epstein in honor of JJ’s Bar Mitzvah with sympathy to Earl and Jackie Wald Mark and Susan Farber with love for the beautiful and meaningful Zoom Jewish wedding service for THE STEPHEN ARKY FAMILY CARING FUND our daughter Leyah and her groom handsome groom In loving memory of Steve Arky who is, and always will Alex. You have our respect and affection for all your be, deeply in our hearts, with love and respect, Marlin, knowledge, guidance, sensitivity and patience especially Lisa and Todd during these difficult times. Nancy Kraemer and Ron Feldheim, in memory of Paul DR. IRWIN PERLMUTTER Friedman, a loving husband, father and grandfather; ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND also for his love of music and friendship Keeping the Legacy of Temple Beth Am Founding Roberta Mandel in honor of the birth of the grandson Member, Dr. Irwin Perlmutter, alive through Jewish of Sheri and Steve Lieberman, Ryan Matthew Heaps Education Roberta Mandel in honor of the birth of the grandson of Richard and Ilisa Hoffman, Isaac Bern Hoffman THE JOAN KRAMER GALLANT AND MARTIN Nancy Kraemer and Ron Feldheim, in memory of Paul GALLANT CHILDREN’S FUND Friedman, a loving husband, father and grandfather; In memory of our papa, Martin Gallant with love from also for his love of music and friendship Jane, Mack and Sunny Arthur Miller in appreciation of your exceptional Brian Gallant in loving memory of his parents devotion, efforts and leadership during this punishing Tracy Gallant Brody in loving memory of her parents pandemic period Amy and Rickey Mittelberg in memory of Paul Friedman Eric Pollack in memory of Paul Friedman, a kind and GENERAL FUND thoughtful gentleman whom I have known for over 30 Dilia and Bill Grossman in memory of Harry Shearer years; my deepest sympathies Dilia and Bill Grossman in honor of the birth of Frances Salbarrey in honor of Rabbi Aklepi Isaac Bern Hoffman, grandson of Ilisa and Richard Hoffman and great-grandson of Rita Swichkow Dilia and Bill Grossman in honor of the birth of Elliott RABBI BARRAS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND Littauer, grandson of Aida and Neil Littauer Dolly Harris in loving memory of Ernest Harris Dilia and Bill Grossman in honor of the birth of Jonah Arthur Miller in appreciation of your exceptional We Give Thanks Carroll, grandson of Lauren and Brad Sokol devotion, efforts and leadership during this punishing pandemic period LESLEE ARONOVITZ YOUTH RABBI GREENGRASS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Israel Family in memory of Julius Israel Adrian and Ken Dubow in memory of Dr. Albert Tawil, Arthur Miller in appreciation of your exceptional efforts, brother of Fran Berrin and Jackie Wald devotion and leadership during this punishing pandemic Adrian and Ken Dubow in honor of the birth of period Isaac Bern Hoffman, grandson of Ilisa and Richard Arthur Plutzer in honor of Ivy Ames, in appreciation Hoffman and great-grandson of Rita Swichkow of Rabbi Greengrass’ Social Action programming Adrian and Ken Dubow in honor of the birth of Elliott Littauer, grandson of Aida and Neil Littauer THE SHEPARD KING SCHOLARSHIP FUND Bernita King, Russell King and Tamara King Stark in memory of our beloved Shep, who continues to inspire us in everything we do Michael Lappin in memory of Dr. Joel Grossman

SISTERHOOD FUND Marlene and Richard Kohn in honor of Sheri and Steve Lieberman becoming grandparents to Ryan Matthew Heaps Marlene and Richard Kohn in honor of Susan and Dick Lampen becoming grandparents to Matson Zev Miller Susan and Dick Lampen in loving memory of Andrea LeVine’s father, Dr. Mitchell LeVine Judy and Daniel Cowan in loving memory of Harry Shearer, father of Bobbye Shearer Judy and Daniel Cowan in honor of Aida and Neil Littauer’s new grandson, Elliott Amos Littauer Adult B’nai Mitzvah Classes Starting Soon! SISTERHOOD LCLI, LYNN CROMER LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE Tom Cromer in honor of the birth of Susan and Dick Lampen’s Are you ready to become grandson, Matson Zev Miller a Bar/Bat Mitzvah? TIKKUN OLAM FUND Susan Fusfield in memory of Paul Friedman Contact Rabbi Greengrass at Bob and Kara Gauvin in memory of Dr. Joel Grossman Judy Gilbert-Gould in memory of Ron Esserman [email protected] Judy Gilbert-Gould in loving memory of my brother, Kenneth M. Myers Jeanne Leffers in memory of Dr. Joel Grossman

Page 31 Commentator October 2020 • Page 32

the current of life

We mourn the passing of Paul Friedman, husband of Emily, father of Brian (Stephanie) Friedman and Rebekah (Joel) Brighton, grandfather of Nicolas Friedman, Paige Brighton and Asher Wes Brighton

Jeanette Brodkey, mother ofMichael (Maggie) Brodkey and James Brodkey, grandmother of Leah Brodkey and Christopher Brodkey

Muriel Cohen, grandmother of Peter (Wendy) Salomon, great grandmother of Max and Lainey Salomon

Dr. Albert Tawil father of Lisa (Rick) Tawil-Brown and Lee Jeffrey (Jo Ann) Tawil, brother of Fran Berrin, Jackie (Earl) Wald, Dr. Robert Tawil and Esther Weisman, and uncle of Risa, Ricky and Valerie Berrin, Shari Garrett and Lauren Lomnitzer

Elayne Weisburd, family member of Janice Baisman and Joshua Heredia

Ray Fisher, husband of Sue Fisher, father of Julie Fisher and Andrew Fisher

Leona Green, aunt of Howard (Suzanne) Wallach

Adele Israel, mother-in-law of Jay Levy, grandmother of Sarah (Matt) Rochman, Jennifer Levy (Santiago Osorio), Alexandra Levy and great grandmother of Hayden, Blake, Luna and Lyla

Harry Shearer, father of Bobbye Shearer (John Kemeny), grandfather of Julia and Justin Katz A DOUBLE MITZVAH: SUPPORT ISRAEL AND YOUR SPECIAL CAUSES THROUGH ISRAEL BONDS

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Page 33Page 33 Commentator October 2020 • Page 34

Roberta G. Mandel, Esq. Managing Partner For 100 years Jewish Community Services (JCS) has been pro- 8925 S.W. 148th Street, Suite 200 viding food, counseling, vocational, crisis response and referral Miami, Florida 33176 services to the entire Tel: 305-233-5041 Miami-Dade County community. Fax: 305-233-5042 [email protected] WE ARE HERE FOR YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER!

Please know that we are here to support members of our community who are in need of services. JCS needs your support to continue to provide the following services to NEW MEMBERS members of our community: · Food: Clients requiring kosher food can now pick up Jay & Cindy Baum boxed groceries at our JCS Kosher Food Bank in North Jeffrey Berman & Lauren Frost, Sadie and Skylar Miami at scheduled appointment times. In South Dade, gift Nir Bronholc cards for food purchases are available for South Dade fami- Minda Feldheim lies that cannot travel to our North Dade location. Brian & Lisa Gitlin, Samantha and Evan Brandon & Melissa Hechtman, Solomon, · Home Health Care Services through MASADA: In- Lincoln and Kennedy home home health care aides are available to care for elderly Jorge Navarro & Jennifer Levin, and Jayden and/or frail homebound clients. Barbara Peck David & Maria Ruffner, Joshua and Ari · Shalom Bayit: Case management and counseling services Gustavo Souss & Valeria Fontanals Souss for Jewish survivors of domestic violence. and Maia · Access Services: A dedicated information and referral phone line serves the Jewish and broader communi- ties for intake and referral services for a variety of culturally focused health, nutrition and social programs. Contact us at 305.576.6550.

MAzel Tov TO... · 211 Miami: A helpline for suicide prevention, crisis counseling, referral and information is available to all Mi- ami-Dade and Monroe County residents in all Neil and Aida Littauer on the birth of grandson, Elliott languages, free of charge and available 24/7. Amos Littauer · Tele-Mental Health: A new program provides accessible Brad and Lauren Sokol on the birth of grandson Jonah mental health counseling services through a safe and secure video conferencing platform. In-person counseling services Lev Carroll by licensed clinicians are available at our Kendall & Aventu- ra locations.

· Online Webinars: Providing free educational and self-care content to the entire Community on coping with stress, parenting, and other wellness classes provided ADVERTISE IN OUR by licensed mental health clinicians: https://jcsfl.org/events/ · Kosher Meals: Home delivered kosher meals for home- COMMENTATOR! bound seniors. We mail out over 1500 copies · Online Recreation and Socialization: Programs and 11 months of the year. Reach our Activities for LGBT plus seniors members and our community. Your support will directly impact and improve the Contact Rita Diaz for information: lives of families that rely on JCS for essential life-sus- [email protected] taining services. To support JCS, visit: https://jcsfl.org/donate/ Getting Homes Sold for Over 30 Years!

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Page 35 Commentator October 2020 • Page 36

WEDNESDAYS 7:30 p.m.

Join Rabbi Jaime Aklepi and members of the Temple Beth Am community in an interactive discussion as we read through the Torah portion of the week. No prior knowledge required!

Register online at www.tbam.org/calendar for Zoom login information, or contact Rabbi Aklepi for more information at [email protected]. Commentator Commentator (USPS: 0052-060) Is Published Monthly Except July by Temple Beth Am, 5950 North Kendall Dr., Pinecrest, FL 33156-2068. Periodicals Postage Paid at Miami, Florida. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COMMENTATOR, TEMPLE BETH AM, THE JANET (z”l) AND RICHARD YULMAN CAMPUS, 5950 N. KENDALL DRIVE, PINECREST, FL 33156-2068. NORTH PINECREST Volume 30 Number 3

Senior Rabbi: Jeremy Barras Rabbi: Rachel G. Greengrass, MARE, RJE Rabbi: Jaime Aklepi, D.D. Chazan: Cantor Rachelle F. Nelson, D.M. Cantorial Soloist: Jessica Bass Founding Rabbi Emeritus: Herbert Baumgardz”l, D.H.L., D.D. President: Stuart Ratzan Executive Director: Brian Chartock Head of Day School: Nora Anderson, M.Ed., M.S. Admissions Director, Day School: Cari Altman, M.S. Ed. Campus Activities Director: Michelle Cohen Development Director: Ilana Gilat 6400 SW 100 ST. North Pinecrest Tennis Estate, modern Director of Lifelong Learning: Tamara Donnenfeld, MARE, RJE updates, impact. Perfect for your family and entertaining. Elementary School Director: Susana Novak, M.S. Ed. 5/4/2 | 4,776 sf. | 37,461 sf. lot | $1,950,000 Early Childhood Director: Mara Berger. M.A. Finance Director: John Wenzel Judaic Studies Director, Emerita Dr. Lenore C. Kipper, RJE KILLIAN/BAPTIST AREA Membership Director: Rita Diaz Program Director: Andrea LeVine Security and Operations Director: Sharón Levi Technology and Innovation Director: Jennifer Carey, M.A. Youth Engagement Director: Erica Golden

Administrative Office: 305.667.6667 Early Childhood Program/Day School Office: 305.665.6228 Early Childhood Program/Day School Fax: 305.668.6340 Religious School Office:305.667.6667 ext. 119 Religious School Fax: 305.666.2536 Administration Fax: 305.662.8619 Clergy Office Fax:305.667.1390 email: [email protected] web: www.tbam.org

affiliated with the: Union for Reform Judaism

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Page 41 Commentator October 2020 • Page 42

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