Cheshvan – Shevat 5778 | November 2017–January 2018 Issue No. 105 the connection Addiction & Recovery of a “Nice Jewish Boy” p. 14 also in this issue Caring Congregation 2.0 Always caring, p. 2 The Evolution of a Youth Group Accessible: learning & practice, p. 8 Behind-the- URJ Biennial sustainability, p. 17 Scenes Look p. 4 Check out our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/RodefShalomPgh Cheshvan–Shevat 5778 | November 2017–January 2018 Contents issue no. 105 caring 3 Teamwork We are a Reform Jewish congregation president 11 What Is Tu B’Shevat dedicated to melding the traditions of Caring Congregation Anyway?! our faith with contemporary life. Our joint jewish education program congregation was chartered in 1856 and 2.0 is one of five synagogues on the National rabbi bisno Register of Historic Landmarks. We are 12 8 Books for Hanukkah a diverse congregation engaged in social 4 Always Accessible: library issues, culture, and learning—made up Behind-the-Scenes of multigenerational, multicultural, and Look 13 An Immigrant’s Story interfaith families and individuals; our executive director archives doors are open to everyone. 6 Simchas sustainability member engagement Staff Phone Extensions 14 Addiction & Recovery of 412.621.6566 learning & practice a “Nice Jewish Boy” pursuer of peace Sherry Bell x 137 8 The Evolution of a Martha Berg x131 16 Rodef Shalom Rabbi Bisno x123 Youth Group Legacy Society Rachel Cohen x183 nfty president Yael Eads x130 development Kate Kim x111 9 Camp Scholarships Music with a Mission Carolyn Frischer x178 brotherhood Rabbi Henry x126 sisterhood Dr. Jacob x125 17 URJ Biennial Kristen Karsh x120 10 Oh, Hanukkah, rabbi henry Marlena Keffer x112 Oh, Hanukkah! Amy Langham x117 preschool 16 Contributions Mimsie Leyton x127 Liron Lipinsky x116 Michael McHugh x144 Don Megahan x190 Hope Nearhood x122 Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno Barry D. Weisband Rodef Shalom Congregation is a member of the Frances F. & David R. Levin Murray Klein Union for Reform Judaism. Helena Nichols x132 Senior Rabbinic Pulpit Executive Director Christine Ranasinghe x182 Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry Miriam Leyton Mayda Roth x140 Sidney & Shirley C. Rapport JoAnn Ruffing x110 Walter Jacob, DHL Family Center Director Rabbi Emeritus/Senior Dave Seskey x128 Scholar Liron Lipinsky Sam Siskind x179 J-JEP Religious School Director Barry Weisband x119 Don Megahan Lauren Wolcott x124 Music Director & Organist The bulletin of Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, is published bimonthly, six times The Gift Corner x115 annually. Periodical postage paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. Lippman Library x180 Postmaster: Send address changes to: Hakesher, 4905 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. USPS 537–660 Rodef Shalom Congregation Our mission: The mission of Rodef Shalom Congregation is to build and sustain a vibrant Reform Jewish community. We guide and support our members in living full Jewish lives throughout the life cycle, based on Torah (study), avodah (worship), and gemilut hasadim (acts of loving kindness). We strive to be a national and international leader in Jewish thought and practice. caring Teamwork Caring Congregation 2.0 Harlan Stone, President Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno, [email protected] Frances F. & David R. Levin Senior Rabbinic Pulpit (412) 621–6566 [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x122 ∧ @rabbibisno ho cares? We do—that’s the message very Shabbat morning service includes a Mishnaic (early the Board of Trustees sent when talmudic) text called Eilu D’varim. This piece of our liturgy Wthey adopted a new strategic plan Eenumerates the timeless acts of decency all of us are commanded for the congregation last spring. That plan to do and includes deeds such as visiting the sick, comforting the identified being a “caring congregation” as mourner, and sharing our neighbors’ simchas. Performing these one of the three strategic priorities for Rodef acts, our Tradition teaches, makes for a robust Jewish communal life. Shalom. That said, identifying “caring” as a strategic priority and demonstrating that The remarkable thing about Eilu D’varim is there is no hierarchy. we are in fact a caring community are two The prayer does not say, “These are the things every Jew must do, different things. We cannot just talk the and these are the additional things a rabbi must do.” Instead, Eilu talk. We have to walk the walk. D’varim simply states, “These are the obligations whose reward is beyond measure.” The message? Ultimately every member of our That’s why, the Board of Trustees, in community shares the same responsibilities. And there is meaning partnership with the rabbis and staff, have and joy in sharing life with others. committed to working together on a number of initiatives to implement our new strategic I share this because we have recently initiated a new protocol plan. If there is one thing I have learned for sharing news of lifecycle events within our congregation. In as president, it is just how important team particular, we will be sharing news of births and deaths as well as work is to successful implementation of other significant occasions so that we all may have the opportunity policy and strategy. Our strategic planning of fulfilling the mitzvot of rejoicing with brides and grooms, new recognizes the value of teamwork. We saw parents, as well as comforting the bereaved. this on display recently during the High Holiday season when the board, the rabbis, For two thousand years (since the destruction of the Second Temple), and staff combined their creative energy and there has been no sacrosanct priestly class. Instead, all Jews have resources to make the experience especially the same obligations, the same chance for joy, the same potential meaningful and inspirational. That’s the to discover the divine. Reform Jews often look at the things their value of teamwork. By working together we rabbis are doing—visiting the sick, leading funerals, attending shiva can accomplish so much more than any one minyanim—and say to themselves, “I could never do that.” But in the of us is capable of doing alone. And together words of my professor, Rabbi Rick Sarason, “This is not about being with volunteers from the congregation, we a rabbi; it’s about being a Jew.” can all play an important role in making the strategic plan a reality. Watch for opportunities you will have to learn more about when and how you can fulfill these obligations. In this new year, we shall be Working together as a team, we can make offering everyone the chance to participate more fully in the life of Rodef Shalom the “caring congregation” we our congregational family. After all, Eilu D’varim teaches that the would all like it to be. path of mitzvot is meant for all of us. issue no. 105 Cheshvan – Shevat 5778 | November 2017–January 2018 HaK ESHEr the connection 3 Always Accessible: Behind-the-Scenes Look Barry D. Weisband, Murray Klein Executive Director [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x119 very day of every week Rodef Shalom is here to serve you by ensuring that our facilities and cemeteries are open and accessible to everyone at any time. From the Shabbat services to J-JEP Sundays and every week day there are always multiple activities taking Eplace in our facilities. In addition to these important daily events and functions, families experience the happiest of occasions and, unfortunately, sad times. Then, too, this is when we need our synagogue to be open and at-the-ready to provide for all of the sacred needs of our vibrant community. The critical “behind-the-scenes” work that is conducted by Our five maintenance staff and the three cemetery staff members our stellar maintenance and cemetery staff allows for Rodef have the ability to turn on a dime. They set up for several Shalom Congregation to be accessible to all of our members functions in one day or over a busy weekend which allows us to and guests 24/7, year round. From the cold, blustery, snowy enjoy Shabbat services, social activities, or educational events. mornings to the warm days of summer our staff works diligently to make sure that each congregant has access to the synagogue How can such a few number of staff members implement the needs and cemetery. Here are just a few examples of the staff’s work: of our large and growing congregation? Experience is a large part of the answer. Their expertise has developed over the 111 years • Before dawn, Wayne can be seen plowing the snow in of combined service to Rodef Shalom Congregation. The eight the parking lot. maintenance and cemetery staff have spent decades learning about the congregation’s needs and honing their knowledge into • Tony shovels the snow away from all the entry points an almost exact set of operational standards that guarantees and sidewalks before you arrive. access for all at almost any time of the day, week, month, and year. • Dave conducts monthly walk arounds to spot any potential hazards that may exist and that they are We have individual Rodef Shalom staff members who have worked resolved. here over 10, 20, and 30 years! This, in itself, is a testimonial to the commitment that each of them has in order to ensure that • Steve readies the sanctuaries and the social halls for all our synagogue continues to be professionally managed and occasions. maintained on a continuous basis and open to all. 4 rodefshalom.org Building Accessibility At-A-Glance Rachel Cohen, Director of Facilities and Rentals [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x183 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides regulations to businesses regarding accessibility requirements. While the ADA does not apply to religious organizations, Rodef Shalom feels very strongly about being a welcoming community that is accessible to all.