*• -•- ^ ?" ' •- ' • . •.' ,'". ' , •••-•• .... NEWS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA THE SHOFAR bw A Publication of the Jewish Community Federation of Greater Chattanooga Volume 18 Number 4 December 2004 Community Menorah Jewish Music Series Kicks Off With January 29 Lighting and Dinner Concert Sunday, December 12 A series of Jewish concerts is being planned by the Federation as the Shofar goes to press. A series of five concerts will be performed at different venues 5:30 p.m. between January and April, 2005. Look for an insert in next month's Shofar Jewish Cultural Center with all five concert dates.. So far, these three have been confirmed: -Magician Lance Johnson -Pokey Dot the Clown Saturday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. isnging Israeli singer Shalva Berti -Games Shalva Berti Was an Israeli child star when she -Lois i performed in the military choir during the Leba­ non war. Many years and six CDs later, Shalva Berti's magical voice captures the hearts of au­ Bring your own menorah and we will light the diences, carrying them far away to distant exotic sixth candle of Chanukah as a community. lands. Berti's Yemenite style and classical vocal Enjoy a delicious dinner of oven-fried chicken, training are reminiscent of the late Ofra Haza. Shalva Berti green beans, potato latkes, and desserts. Sunday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. Please RSPV by December 8 to Laura Israel Rhonda Seeber 493-0270, ext. 11 or [email protected]. Local singer Rhonda Seeber will perform a children's concert of Jewish music at the Creative Discovery Museum. Only $5.00 per person before December 8 mmm $7.00 at the door Sunday afternoon, April 10 Kids five and under free. Gemini This musical duo of twin brothers' have made six recordings for children and families. They have won a number of awards from Parents' Choice Magazine, the American Library Association, the National Parenting Publications (NAPPA), Camp and Israel and the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. "Beautiful songs and singing! Delightful!" —Robert Sherman, WQXR, the voice Grant Application of The New York Times Stu'n'Brew: Men's Campaign Deadline: December 15 Event Fun and Informative Contact Michael Dzik, 493-0270, ext. 15 or [email protected] for information and/or an application IN THIS ISSUE Campaign News Pages 2-5 Community Voices Pages 16-17 Federation Programs Pages 6-7 Mazel Tovs/Condolences ... Page 17 Social Services Pages 8-9 Chanukah 5765 Pages 18-19 Aleph Bet Page 10 Congregation News Pages 20-25 Congregational School Page 11 Hadassah News Page 26 Jewish News Pages 12-13 Bulletin Board Page 27 Rabbinic Thoughts Page 14 Community Calendar Page 28 Newcomers Page 15 Federation prsident and featured speaker Stuart Bush with Check us out! Men's Campaign Chair Richard Zachary at the November 11 event. See page 3 for more photos. www.jewishchattanooga.com Jewish Community Federation Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage of Greater Chattanooga PAID P.O. Box 8947 Permit No. 63 Chattanooga, TN 37414 Chattanooga, TN Change Service Requested ^vwr? CAMPAIGN NEWS MESSAGE FROM THE recourse but to turn to the Federation for help. They count on the Federation to PRESIDENT provide opportunities for social interaction, to enrich what might otherwise be a by Stuart Bush lonely life, and for rides to the doctor, the grocery store, and programs at the Cul­ tural Center. president@jcfgc. com The Federation is here to fill in the gap—to take on the responsibility for I just got back from visiting with two of my daughters and their families. One lives us. Since our responsibility never really stops, we can be thankful to have such a in Baton Rouge, La., the other in Memphis, Tenn. On the ride back from Memphis strong and active Federation to provide for our community's needs. Funding is I started thinking about responsibility. tough. Each year we go into the community and ask for support so that the Federa­ Most of us make it to adulthood and with adulthood comes responsibili­ tion can not just survive but thrive. ties. My responsibilities included taking care of other people. My three children, wives, grandparents, people who have worked for me and others. Down through the "Don't make it your goal to give as little as possible. years the responsibilities weighed very heavy sometimes and other times the weight Give as much as you can. Let yourself enjoy the feeling was almost light but it was always there. On the drive back from Memphis it that comes with knowing you are doing the right thing." occurred to me that for the first time since I can remember I'm responsible just for myself. My kids are grown and taking pretty good care of themselves and, for I am so gratified by the response we receive. Most are generous and make different reasons, nobody else—other than my dog—is looking to me for any help. the job of asking for pledges easy. But there are still some who don't recognize I am feeling euphoric, having only my dog truly relying on me and having few real that, as members of the Jewish community, they need to own up to their responsi­ responsibilities. bilities. It is not a game we are playing. Those Annual Campaign workers aren't It also occurred to me on the drive that there are people out there with few soliciting for the fun of it. They are giving their time and money to make a differ­ or no others to call on for help. Or, those who are responsible for them can't or ence. Don't make it your goal to give as little as possible. Give as much as you can. won't give enough assistance to ensure they can have a fulfilling life. I began to Let yourself enjoy the feeling that comes with knowing you are doing the right wonder if I could really call myself free of responsibility when there are people out thing. It's amazing how people think about you when you do. there who are in need. The answer of course is pretty simple. As for me, knowing I am free from the responsibility that I have carried Our responsibilities continue through our entire productive lives. The Fed­ through my life still makes me smile. All I have to do now is take care of myself eration exists to be the responsible party, to provide help to those who need it. If the and write a check to the Federation each year. What could be easier? Federation is to fill in the gap and take on the responsibility we all share, then we Oh yeah, my dog got sick this morning. She threw up on my carpet and I have a continuing responsibility to fund the Federation's programs and services. had to take her to the vet. I am going back this afternoon to pick her up and talk to Many of you are unaware of how many Jewish Chattanoogans have no her doctor. Now that I think about it, I guess it never really stops. MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE I recendy returned from the United Jewish Communities (UJC) annual meet­ ing, the General Assembly. UJC is our parent organization and represents 156 Jewish Federations in North Arherica. This was my fourth GA and probably the DIRECTOR best I've attended. With top-notch speakers and educational and inspiring breakout by Michael Dzik sessions, I returned to Chattanooga with even more enthusiasm for Jewish life than [email protected] before I left—something I didn't think was possible. What made this GA different than past years was the varied offerings. If you were interested in Jewish life around the world, there were good sessions avail­ Campaign, Campaign, Campaign. That seems to be our watchword this past month. able. Maybe your interests were in politics, both Israeli and US. That too was an The Federation Annual Campaign, our main source of revenue, supports all of the option. Or, philanthropy may be of interest. Regardless, you could pursue a par­ programs and services that we offer. From our meal programs and van transporta­ ticular theme within your choices of sessions or mix and match to meet your vari­ tion to our community celebrations and The Shofar, the campaign is our support ous interests. It is exciting to engage with thousands of other Jews on issues in system. common. "...every new dollar to the 2005 Campaign will be matched One of the highlights was seeing one of my good friends, Alina Spaulding. You may remember Alina, who has been to Chattanooga to speak about her lif e and through a generous challenge grant from an anonymous how it was affected by help provided by Jewish agencies. She is a gifted speaker source. Whether the increased campaign dollars are a result with a moving story to tell and I am not surprised that she was tapped to speak at of a first time gift or an increase to an existing gift, that the international level. Alina spoke at the opening plenary just before Ariel Sharon additional money is matched dollar for dollar." and her Chattanooga friends would have been proud of her. I hope to bring Alina to Chattanooga again soon to talk about further developments in her life. Thank you to all of the donors who have already made your pledge to the In the meantime, I am pleased to tell you about an exciting program that 2005 Campaign (see pages 4 and 5 for list of donors to-date) and thank you to all we are planning for the Chattanooga Jewish and general communities.