May / June 2016
Nissan / Iyar / Sivan 5776
http://BethSholomFlorida.org (352) 326-3692 Rabbi Karen Allen 386-676-5157
This year we will celebrate Shavuot at our Shabbat Evening Service on Friday, June 10th, at 7PM
Although the Torah refers to Shavuot strictly as an agricultural holiday, the Rabbis of the Talmud applied to it the term “Z’man Mattan Torateinu,” the Time of the Giving of the Torah, designating the holiday as the day on which the Torah was given to Israel at Mt. Sinai. It is said that the soul of every Jew who ever had lived or who ever would live was present at Mt. Sinai on that day, and that each of us individually agreed to accept the Torah. And on this day, every year, each one receives it again!
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: Linda Kost VICE PRESIDENT: Burt Kraft 352-315-0309 352-513-3517 SECRETARY: Diane Weinbaum TREASURER: Dave Englander 352-636-4911 352-504-4402 DIRECTORS: Phylis Berger Dr. Marnell LaRoe Hayes Fred Jacobs Irv Pomeranz Barry Wright 352-223-4260 352-602-4797 352-633-0500 352-751-0989 352-324-1139 Page 2 THE SHOFAR May / Nissan / Iyar
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Board Meeting 6:30 pm
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Hebrew Class Shabbat Service 6:30 PM & Oneg 7:00 pm 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26Rabbi’s 27 28 Hebrew Class Roundtable Shabbat Service 6:30 PM 2:30 pm & Kiddush See page 11 10:00 am 29 30 31
Join us for a very special Shabbat Service on Saturday, May 28th at 10AM. Our service will include special readings in observance of Memorial Day.
The Kiddush is sponsored by our very patriotic member LTC Herbert Siegel (ret.). May / June Page 3 June / Iyar / Sivan
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 Shavuot 11 Hebrew Class Board Meeting Shabbat Service 6:30 PM 6:30 pm & Oneg 7:00 pm 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 Rabbi’s 24 25 Hebrew Class Roundtable Shabbat Service 6:30 PM 2:30 pm & Kiddush See page 11 10:00 am 26 27 28 29 30
Hebrew Class Continues!
Dr. Marnell LaRoe Hayes is teaching Hebrew every other Monday at 6:30 PM. See the calendars for the dates. The focus is on prayers from the Shabbat services to help attendees participate more fully.
If you were in the class last fall, or if you have previous experience reading Hebrew, this class is for you.
Call Marnell at 352-602-4797 to register or for more information. Page 4 THE SHOFAR
Life on earth is temporary, but the lessons you learn here, the lives you touch and change, and the wonderful rewards that you gather, endure forever. – Unknown
We never hang up the phone without saying I love you to each other. Unfortunately, the way life is, we never know if we’ll see someone again. – Susan Goldman Shiland
The quotation above is by my cousin, Susan Goldman Shiland. As this issue of the Shofar is published, Susan and others in our family are traveling to Miami, where I will officiate sadly at the funeral of her beloved mother, Ruchel. Many members of our Congregation Beth Sholom family have experienced the grief of bereavement, several within the past year. Those of us who have lost loved ones have learned that simply inhabiting the same space simultaneously with them is not enough to allow us to experience the deepest satisfaction of life. In order to drink deeply from the well of joy which is the birthright of every human being, we must really let our loved ones in. Jewish tradition places an inestimable value on the gift of life. Yet we are often so busy climbing mountains of worthy tasks that we find little time simply to step back and enjoy the company of the most treasured people in our lives – and to let them know, at every opportunity, how much we love them. Some of the most memorable and intimate times I have shared with our Congregation Beth Sholom family members have taken place during our travel in Israel, where we had the luxury of expanses of quality time spent in harmonious and like-minded activity. I am excited at the prospect of expanding the time we spend exploring our world together, particularly in experiencing the global Jewish community. In addition to our Spring 2017 visit to Jewish Cuba, I have been asked recently by our members to lead a second trip to Israel. I hope that by planning these powerful spiritual and learning experiences a year in advance, many of you will be able to share in our travels together. By touching the lives of others, not only those who live in the places we visit but also the hearts and lives of our fellow congregants and family members traveling with us, I look forward to deepening the relationships that represent the core of our spiritual home. We can’t take our congregational place in the international community without your active participation. Please let me know that you are interested in traveling together, and become part of the adventure. With love and blessings – Rabbi Karen Allen 386-676-5157
May / June Page 5
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As President of Congregation Beth Sholom, one of my responsibilities is to inspire our members and guests to make financial donations to the synagogue. As all of our members know, our dues do not yield enough income to pay our bills.
To make up for the monetary shortfall caused by our low dues I just mailed our annual appeal letter explaining that we need our members to help out to the best of their ability. This letter is one of the most difficult tasks assigned to me. Each year as I modify the letter, I hope that it adequately conveys the urgency and importance of your response.
There are other fundraisers during the year. We sell tickets for the Charity Sales at Belk Department Store twice each year. In fact, we are currently selling the tickets for the April 30th sale. We process orders for Mah Jongg cards and receive a donation back from the National Mah Jongg league based on the number of cards ordered. We take part in the Honey from the Heart program, where you can send jars of honey to your friends and relatives for Rosh Hashanah (see page 7). We often sell tickets to a play at the Melon Patch, buying tickets at a group rate and selling them at the usual rate results in raising funds.
One activity that has declined is making donations to the synagogue in honor of a life event like a birthday or anniversary or graduation or yahrzeit. A card is sent on your behalf letting the person know a donation has been made. This saves you the time of picking out a card, and lets the person know you are thinking of them. All you have to do is tell our treasurer, Dave Englander, what the donation is for and he will send the card for you. Not only does the person receive the card in the mail, but your good wishes are shared with the congregation in the Shofar.
If you have an idea of an additional way to raise funds please let me know.
All of those fundraisers help. But the bottom line is that we need to have a successful appeal. Over 20% of our budget is dependent on your donations. We depend on contributions from our members and guests to provide the additional income we need to maintain the shul for our congregation and the Jewish community.
Thank you for giving generously.
Linda
President-at-BethSholomFlorida.org (replace –at– with @) 352-315-0309
Page 6 THE SHOFAR Rabbi Karen Allen’s MISSION to EXPERIENCE the JEWISH COMMUNITIES of CUBA
March 27 – April 3, 2017 Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad de Cuba
Join Rabbi Allen, along with your fellow members, family, and friends on a uniquely insightful trip of cultural and religious discovery and humanitarian effort. We will have experiences offered to few travelers to this tropical island nation.
You will get to know the real Cuba – vibrant and full of life and you will make a difference in the lives of our Cuban Jewish brothers and sisters.
A GREAT MITZVAH – A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE – A FUN TRIP
BE MORE THAN A TOURIST CUBA IS CHANGING RAPIDLY – NOW IS THE TIME!
Please call to let me know you’re interested in learning more Rabbi Karen Allen – 386.676.5157 May / June Page 7
What better way to wish family and friends a "Sweet and Healthy New Year" than sending a jar of honey.
This 8 ounce jar of delicious kosher honey arrives in time for the Rosh Hashanah holiday, decorated with a professionally designed Rosh Hashanah label, a printed blessing over apples and honey and a personalized gift card.
The personalized gift card also lets the recipient know that a donation has been made in their honor to Congregation Beth Sholom.
Your cost is just $11.00 per jar which includes shipping and handling within the continental United States.
Checks are payable to Congregation Beth Sholom and must be received no later than July 15th, 2016.
Please mail your order form and check to: Diane Weinbaum 637 Misti Drive Leesburg, FL 34788
Please include a PRINTED list of people you wish to receive your sweet New Year's gift, their full address and apartment number, if applicable, and what you want your card to say.
It is not necessary to say Happy New Year or L'Shanah Tovah this is already on the honey jar.
Any questions, please call Diane Weinbaum (352) 636-4911.
****************************************************************************************************************** HONEY FROM THE HEART ORDER FORM
______Number of jars ordered @ $11 per jar ______Your Name
______Your Address
______Your Phone Number
Page 8 THE SHOFAR
SEND A CARD AND SUPPORT THE SYNAGOGUE There are lots of reasons to send cards: birthdays, anniversaries, get well, condolences, congratulations.
Your donations can benefit the synagogue and let someone know you care!
Mail your donation to the synagogue and contact Dave Englander at 352-504-4402.
He will send the card on your behalf, and your good wishes will appear in the Shofar.
FRESH FLOWERS TO BEAUTIFY THE SYNAGOGUE Donate flowers in honor of an event or in memory of someone. Order the flowers from Miss Daisy’s and they will deliver them to the Shul just prior to the service. Please use Miss Daisy’s for all your floral needs, as they provide us with beautiful arrangements at discounted prices. Miss Daisy’s Flowers & Gifts
1024 West Main Street Leesburg, FL 34748 Phone: 352-787-6806 888-888-5035 http://www.missdaisysflowers.com/
KENNETH STARK, M.D. Arthritis & Joint Disease Specialist Board Certified Rheumatologist Osteoporosis Center Vista Square 1613 Banning Beach Road Tavares, FL 32778 May / June Page 9
EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS—ADVERTISE IN THE SHOFAR!
Advertise in the Shofar and spread the word about your business. The Shofar is read by more than 100 people, both online and in print. Annual fees are very affordable: Full page (8” x10”) = $ 150 Half page (8"x 5”) = $ 100 Quarter page (4"x 5”) = $ 75 Business Card size = $ 50
If you know of any business owners or doctors who might be interested in this wonderful opportunity to reach new customers and patients, have them contact Linda Kost: president_at_BethSholomFlorida.org (replace _at_ with @) or 352-315-0309 Page 10 THE SHOFAR
Help Us Support the Leesburg Food Bank
The Board of Directors wants to remind everyone that we are trying to be strong supporters of the Leesburg Food Bank. They are located on 13th Street, just around the corner from our shul.
During the holidays the Food Bank usually gets more donations because everyone is in a spirit of giving. Other times of the year, the level of donations falls off. So please remember when you do your grocery shopping to take advantage of the BOGO specials and buy extra items for the Food Bank.
Don’t forget that they also take donations of items besides food such as clothes, furniture, books and magazines. Bring your items when you come to Beth Sholom for services and they will be taken to the Food Bank.
This is Spring Cleaning Time. Take a look in the closets and drawers and see what you do not use any more and donate it to the Food Bank.
If you have large items they do have a pick up service that works Monday through Saturday. Call 352-326-5463 Monday through Thursday 8AM till noon to schedule your pick up.
Thank you for your continued support of this ongoing project.
May / June Page 11
May 26 and June 23 at 2:30 pm Sumter County Administration and Library Building 7375 Powell Rd., Wildwood
The Rabbi’s Roundtable series explores Jewish spiritual traditions and how they affect our thoughts, our actions and our personal experiences and aspirations.
The roundtable provides a unique opportunity to talk with Rabbi Allen as she leads an informal and interactive discussion focusing on topics of contemporary Jewish interest. This location (near Pinellas Plaza) is convenient to Leesburg and the Villages. Look for the large building with the gold dome.
RESERVE YOUR DATE NOW!
SPONSOR AN ONEG SHABBAT OR KIDDUSH
There are many reasons to be a sponsor: birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, remembering a loved one, or just celebrating Shabbat.
Upcoming dates: Friday, May 13 —available Saturday, May 28—Herb Siegel in honor of Memorial Day Friday, June 10 —Dave and Ellen Englander, in celebration of their anniversary Saturday, June 25—available
To reserve your date, call Anita Sherman at 352-787-9681 or Linda Kost at 352-315-0309. Page 12 THE SHOFAR
Oneg Kiddush Sponsors:
Saturday, March 26—Lynne Bloom, in memory of her husband, Donald
Friday, April 8—Michael and Sheila Saks in celebration of their anniversary
Thanks to Burt and Andrea Kraft for all the work they have done to make our Passover Seder possible.
Thanks to Dr. Marnell LaRoe Hayes for teaching the Hebrew classes.
Thanks to Barry Wright for coordinating our relationship with the Leesburg Food Bank, including delivering all of our donations.
Marty & Elly Rothbard: Happy Anniversary wishes to Ceb & Gloria Blankenship. Happy Birthday wishes to Fred Jacobs
In honor of Anna Shen Bat Mitzvah: Marty & Elly Rothbard, Phylis Berger, Irv Pomeranz
Priscilla Reisinger: Food Bank
Maya Mednikov: R’fuah Sh’leimah for her husband, Adolf
General Donations: Ron Faulk, Lowell Cramer and Pam Singer Milkman May / June Page 13
Birthdays Anniversaries
MAY
5/2 Mayra Berger 5/8 Dr. Barrett Burka 5/25 Roger and Jennifer Rice 5/7 Rosalie Scholl 5/9 Susan Brogan 5/7 Kenneth Stark 5/21 Marilyn Goodman
JUNE
6/6 Stephen Berger 6/18 Risa Lax 6/14 Barry and Cookie Wright 6/9 Eileen Hirschfeld 6/21 Tom Shen 6/18 David and Ellen Englander 6/21 Robert Treibitz and Sonia Baerga 6/12 Marlena Scholl 6/23 Yvette Litwack 6/16 Elizabeth Rice
R’fuah Sh’leimah (Get well Wishes) to those who have been ill or have had or will have surgery: Bette Croll, Phylis Berger, Gloria Blankenship, Adolf Mednikov
Mi Shebeirach
If you know of anyone (members, family, or close friends) who is dealing with a wellness issue, who would appreciate prayers or benefit from contact with the synagogue, please contact Elly Rothbard at 352-753-9065 or email her at ellybard-at-comcast.net (replace –at– with @) She will notify Rabbi Allen, and if desired will add them to the Mi Shebeirach list which is read at services.
Page 14 THE SHOFAR
Remember your loved ones in perpetuity
Though a loved one may be gone, you can keep their memory and legacy alive by honoring them with a Memorial Plaque on the Congregation Beth Sholom Memorial Board
All Memorial Plaques are lit during Yizkor Services
Please use one form for each memorial plaque.
Your memorial may include any of the following (* indicates required information)
Dedication______
*Name of Deceased______
Jewish Name Male ______Ben______
Jewish Name Female______Bat______
If you know the Jewish names of both parents of the deceased please provide them
*Date of Death______Jewish Date of Death______
Date of Birth______
Presented by______
We can help with the Hebrew spelling of names and calculating the Jewish date of death. The price of one plaque is $300. $275 each when ordering 2 or more at the same time
All of the plaques are uniform in size – 2” x 10”. Space limitations may not allow for all of your information. A proof will be provided for your approval before production. Payment for your total order is required at the time the proof is approved.
Ordered by: Send your order to:
Name______Fred Jacobs Address______1254 Spartanburg Way City, State, Zip______The Villages, FL 32162 Phone______352-633-0500
May / June Page 15
IN MEMORIAM: THE FOLLOWING YAHRZEITS ARE OBSERVED
The congregation expresses heartfelt sympathy to David and Ellen Englander on the passing of their son, Gary, on April 9. May his memory be for a blessing.
The following names will be read from the Bimah on May 13 Herman Warshaw Step Father of Marsha Stemerman 5 Iyar 13-May George Goodman Husband of Marilyn Goodman 14-May Mordecai Malc Father of Helen Jacobs 7 Iyar 15-May Norma Parker Mother of Ronnie Boekema 16 Iyar 24-May Josephine Rossi Mother of Joan Treibitz 25-May Rita Barnard Wife of Harry Barnard 19 Iyar 27-May
The following names will be read from the Bimah on May 28 Carol Rau Mother of Robyn Dowsey 29-May James King Brother of Robert King 29-May Rebecca Stemerman Grandmother of Marsha Stemerman 21 Iyar 29-May Ann Dubinsky Michaels Mother of Elly Rothbard 23 Iyar 31-May Joseph Wiener Father of Howard Wiener 23 Iyar 31-May Rebecca Weiner Grandmother of Phylis Berger 26 Iyar 3-Jun Barbara Parker Sister of Ronnie-Jane Boekema 28 Iyar 5-Jun Rebecca Siegel Grandmother of Herb Siegel 6-Jun Samantha Ann Sullivan Sister of Roger Rice 6-Jun Sammye Carter Mother of Roger Rice 6-Jun Adolph Schwartz Father of Selma Haimes 9-Jun
The following names will be read from the Bimah on June 10 Ruth Hirschfeld Mother of Dan Hirschfeld 4 Sivan 10-Jun Carolina Eisen Wife of Michael Eisen 10-Jun Solomon Cramer Father of Pam Singer and Lowell Cramer 8 Sivan 14-Jun Charles Snader Father of Marty Snader 14-Jun Henry Reece Father-in-law of Lillian Reece 10 Sivan 16-Jun Sylvia Steinberg Sister of Lillian Reece 12 Sivan 18-Jun Saul Siegel Father of Herb Siegel 20-Jun Warren Frank Brother of Bernadine F. Weiss 18 Sivan 24-Jun
The following names will be read from the Bimah on June 25 Abraham Stemerman Grandfather of Marsha Stemerman 27 Sivan 3-Jul James Paul Wilson Brother of Rob Berkoff 5-Jul Hermia Isaacs Mother of Judy Snader 7-Jul Milton Parker Father of Ronnie-Jane Boekema 1 Tammuz 7-Jul Samuel Litwack Father of David Litwack 1 Tammuz 7-Jul EXPLANATION OF DATES ON YAHRZEIT LIST
We give our members the option to observe yahrzeit on the secular date (the actual date of passing) or the Hebrew date. If there is no Hebrew date next to a name, it is because their family prefers to observe yahrzeit on the secular calendar date.
To add a loved one to the yahrzeit list, contact Linda Kost and provide the names and relationship of the congregant and relative, and the actual date of passing including the year. Please indicate whether you wish to observe yahrzeit on the secular or Jewish date. Contact Linda at president-at-bethsholomflorida.org (replace –at– with @) or 352-315-0309 Congregation Beth Sholom
315 North 13th Street Leesburg, FL 34748
Phone: 352-326-3692
OUR FOUNDERS
Joseph & Jennie Ehrlich Ted Ehrlich Max & Frieda Idolson
Max & Blanche Kessler Walter & Lillie Kessler William Lipsitz
George & Sybil Satin Berte Rita Bloch Jack & Lillian Satin
* LED SERVICES: *Getzel & Betty *William & Dorothy Mularsky Lieberman