L'shanah Tovah
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TEMPLE BETH EL OF BOCA RATON SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 | ELUL/TISHRI/HESHVAN 5776-7 לשנה טובה L’Shanah Tovah High Holy Days Services pages 6-7 Sukkot and Simchat Torah page 9 Scholar in Residence page 12 BY RABBI DAN LEVIN Questions [email protected] Bertrand Russell once said: “In all my daughter to love the richness affairs, it’s a healthy thing now and of her own spirit? Am I doing then to hang a question mark on enough to help her find her path? the things you have long taken for Am I sharing with her enough time, granted.” enough wisdom, enough love? Am I For us who embrace the rhythm guiding her to appreciate the value of Jewish life, these two months are of the extraordinary depth and all about hanging question marks wisdom of her people, her tradition, on what we take for granted in life. and her heritage? Am I modeling for Jewish tradition returns us each her what goodness looks like? Am year to the month of Elul and the I listening well enough to what she celebration of the High Holy Days, has to say, and to what she is trying occasions that invite us to look deep to say without words? within and ask ourselves life’s most During this past summer, I began a important questions. three-year journey as a student with What am I doing with my life? the Rabbinic Leadership Initiative at How am I choosing to use the the Shalom Hartman Institute. This celebration of the High Holy Days extraordinary gifts of time and wonderful opportunity brought me asks each of us to take an accounting talent that have been afforded me? to Jerusalem for 25 days of intensive of our lives and to look very carefully Am I living in a way that honors study with an extraordinary group of at what we have chosen to write on the sacrifice of those upon whose rabbinic colleagues from across the our page in the Book of Life. shoulders I stand? Am I giving Jewish spectrum. It was exhilarating Jewish tradition gives us time enough of myself to my loved-ones, and refreshing - a chance to marinate in our life-cycle for that kind of introspection and reflection. The celebration of our children’s coming What am I doing with my life? How am I choosing to of age demands that we stand in use the extraordinary gifts of time and talent that have awe and wonder at the growth of been afforded me? Am I living in a way that honors the spirit, to marvel at the web of the sacrifice of those upon whose shoulders I stand? relationship that connects us all Am I giving enough of myself to my loved-ones, to my as family, friends, community, and Peoplehood, and to consider how community, to my people, to my country, to humanity? each of us is using the gift of life. Am I reserving enough of myself for myself? As I enter into this sacred time in the year and in my life, I find to my community, to my people, my spirit in Jewish text and Jewish myself filled with trepidation and to my country, to humanity? Am wisdom. gratitude - trepidation as I confront I reserving enough of myself for Jewish tradition gives us these monumental questions, and myself? time each week for that kind of gratitude that I have the wisdom of These questions animate me more introspection and reflection - Shabbat. our tradition and the company of profoundly as our family prepares Shabbat is a time to step back from family and community as I journey to celebrate Bat Mitzvah for our the pursuit of life and to consider what toward the answers. youngest daughter. I find myself it is we have chosen to pursue. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, returning again and again to these Jewish tradition gives us time Ruling Spirit of the Universe, Who questions and others. each year for that kind of has given us life, sustained us, and Am I a good father? Am I helping introspection and reflection. The enabled us to reach this holy season. September/October 2016 • T H E C H R O N I C L E 3 A MESSAGE FROM BARRY PODOLSKY Thoughts for the New Year Most of the world considers January first CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. Do you want new the beginning of the new year. We make ones? How can you enhance your existing ones? resolutions (generally about losing weight,) THINK ABOUT WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU. but it’s more of a commercial experience Are you spending enough time doing the things you with parties and fireworks. For Jews, believe are really important? the new year begins with the celebration SET GOALS. To increase the likelihood of success, of Rosh HaShanah. Friends and family write them down (or add them to your “reminders” gather to attend services and celebrate with on your smartphone.) Mark your calendar each of traditional foods (feather light matzo balls the next 12 months with the words “Goal Check” so Temple Beth El President Barry Podolsky in my house.) We then enter 10 days of you can celebrate your success or double-down on [email protected] 954-326-2180 introspection, culminating with a fast on the your efforts. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur.) I’m offering these words because I think you I’d like to focus on those 10 days of will find the Temple can be a big source in helping introspection. Most of us don’t withdraw you accomplish your goals. Consider our existing from daily life so it’s easy to pass the 10 programs, but also let us know if we’re missing days and not do much contemplation. But something you want in your life. Don’t be hesitant – I want to encourage each of you to make it’s YOUR Temple! Give me a call. We can talk over time during this period for the following: lunch. Susan and I wish you a year of calm, a year of meaning and a year filled with joy and happiness. May God bless us with health to do His work. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS For help getting involved, please contact Elinor Josephson, Director of Engagement and Programming, at [email protected] or 561-391-8900. Jessica and Jeffrey Adelman and their Annette and Michael Goldstein and their children, Benjamin and Jacob children, Lauren, Stephen and Seth Amy and Eliot Appel and their children, Beverly Hacker Shari, Josh, Eli and Leah Mayla Horn Philip Altland Ruth and Martin Krall Lisa Basch and Adi Ekshtain and Lori and Dr. Todd Kupferman and their children, Lee and Rom their daughters, Hailey and Lily Carole and Morty Benowitz Julie and Mitchell Kurman and their Dr. Rachel and John Bernstein and their children, Elana and Ahron children, Sophia and Zachary Amanda Lachs and Jared Pliskow Mary and Yaniv Boussiba and their Barbara and Donald Margolin children, Rona and Noam Michele and Todd Marmer and their son, Justin Mor and Jonathan Buchnik and their son, Noah Kynley and Joshua Mentle and their daughter, Avery Peggy Cerqueira and Manny Zuccarelli and their son, Adonis Donna and Barry Mordis and their daughters, Haley and Gabrielle Lisa and Aaron Cohen and their children, Layla and Jonah Drs. Rachel and Jonathan Nebb and their daughter, Leah Drs. Elizabeth and Aaron Falchook and their daughter, Hannah Robin and Evan Nierman and their children, Noa and Gabriel Tara and Lee Feldman and their son, Ayden Aynsley and Michael Salzman and their son, Lucas Allison and Michael Fischer and their children, Sydney and Mason Jessica and Anthony Santaniello and their son, Joey Heidi and Dr. Jarrod Friedman Danielle and Lonnie Sluchak and their son, Matthew Mira Wolfman 4 THE CHRONICLE | tbeboca.org Rabbi Dan and Aimee Levin Are Proud to Invite Our Temple Beth El Family To Share in Our Joy as Our Daughter Eliana Rebecca Is Called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Shabbat Bereishit October 29, 2016 27 Tishri, 5777 10:30 am Please Be Our Guests at Kiddush Lunch Following Services RSVP to Nina Finkel at 561-314-2655 or [email protected] HIGH HOLY DAYSHIGH HOLY DAYS 2016 5777 DATE TIME TEMPLE BETH EL FAU Sunday, 8:00pm Erev Rosh HaShanah Service No service at FAU. October 2 Attend evening services at Temple Beth El. Monday, 10:00am Rosh HaShanah Rosh HaShanah October 3 Congregational Morning Service Congregational Morning Service Parking details included with ticket. Shuttle buses available 10:00am Rosh HaShanah Tot and Youth Program Rosh HaShanah Tot Program A High Holy Day experience for children while For children ages 2-3. parents are in Morning Services. A High Holy Day experience for children while Registration required. parents are in Morning Services. Registration required. 10:00am Family Participation Service (Recommended for families with children ages 8 and up as a family alternative to the regular morning service). 3:00pm Young Children’s Service For children (ages 8 and under) to attend with parents or grandparents. 4:00pm Tashlich Service Attend Tashlich at Temple Beth El. Meet in front of Temple Beth El and walk to a nearby stream to cast off the sins of the ROSH HASHANAH ROSH previous year. Tuesday, 10:00am Second Day Rosh HaShanah No service at FAU October 4 Morning Service Attend morning services at Temple Beth El. DATE TIME TEMPLE BETH EL FAU Tuesday, 8:00pm Erev Yom Kippur Service (Kol Nidre) Erev Yom Kippur Service (Kol Nidre) October 11 Parking details included with ticket.