“Our Voice”

January 2017/Tevet-Shevat 5777

Rabbi Round-Up

By Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham

Tu B’Shevat: A Time for Re-Planting

We see in the Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1 there are friendship? Plant a new cause you are going to four New Years. Without the Temple, only two are support? Plant a new dedication to something now celebrated. One is obviously Rosh Hashanah, meaningful? and the other coming up at the beginning of February is Tu B’Shevat. Yes, some of us may garden, and some of us may donate to the Jewish National Fund by planting trees You may be wondering what the other two are. One in Israel, which is of course an important cause, but I is the first of Nissan, the anniversary of the Jewish would like to encourage everyone to think during this people’s departure from Egypt, and the other is the holiday of planting on our own terms. first of Elul, the date used to determine the start date for the animal tithe to the priestly class. The month of January is best known for the secular New Year on January 1st. Some frown upon Returning to Tu B’Shevat, there was a debate celebrating January 1st as a New Year, but clearly our between the house of Hillel and the house of Talmud tells us that it is the time always in either late Shammai as to when this holiday would begin, with January, or this year in early February, for our second Hillel prevailing, making it the 15th day of Shevat. For new year of Tu B’Shevat. We can embrace the secular hundreds of years, this mid-winter day was marked as New Year concepts of think and rethink of self- a minor holiday. It was customary among East improvement. It is appropriate for us to rethink European Jews to eat 15 different kinds of fruit, about our lives many times throughout the year, especially those from the Land of Israel mentioned in whether it is in the secular or Jewish calendar. More the Torah: olives, dates, grapes, fig, and importantly, Tu B'Shevat is a subtle reminder for us to pomegranates. (You may have heard of the Tu refocus ourselves and reconnect with what we B’Shevat Seder; it is in essence a sampling of the wanted to improve back on Rosh Hashanah day. various foods.) On top of enjoying these delicious treats, the eating of fruits reminds us of glorifying the Happy 2017 and Early Tu B’Shevat! wonder of God’s creations. —Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 25 states, “The Holy One, Blessed be He, occupied Himself with planting immediately after Creation of the world.” For it is specifically written: “And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden.” So shall you also, when you enter the land of Israel, first of all occupy yourself in planting.

This Midrash teaches us that God “planted” right after he created the world. My question is, on this secular New Year of 2017, what will each of us plant? It does not need to be something literal; it can be a figurative planting. Perhaps you would like to plant a new

. Kol Shira: The Voice of Song ………………………………

By Hazzan Jeremy Lipton

A JEWISH VIEW OF THE NEW YEAR

As Jews we live in an overwhelmingly non- appear. On Shabbat, for example, we welcome our day Jewish world, especially here in Texas. We are of rest by gathering together in the evening just before constantly exposed to secular holidays and practices, sunset, and follow certain rituals to mark that which we typically view through a Jewish lens. A transition (for example, we light the Shabbat candles, seemingly innocuous example of this occurred this bless the wine during Kiddush, and share a communal week with the marking of the end of 2016 and the meal). At the end of Shabbat, when we recite beginning of 2017—New Year’s Day, the first U.S. Legal Havdallah, we conclude through similar communal Holiday of the year. How do we, as Jews, normally rituals to mark the separation of time: once again, we relate to New Year’s Day? Aside from the fact that this bless a cup of wine, light a multi-wicked candle, inhale year it just happened to corresponded with the last day spices and gather together as we prepare to begin of Hanukkah (certainly a rare occasion!), we have our another week. own Jewish New Year’s Day. In fact, according to the On New Year’s Eve you may have witnessed a Mishna, we annually celebrate four distinct Jewish New secular practice that is similar to our Jewish rituals and Years: the first day of Tishrei (Rosh Hashannah) is the not even thought twice about it. The singing of the New Year for the Seasons; the fifteenth day of Shevat song Auld Lang Syne is used to mark the end of the old (Tu Bishvat) is known as the New Year for Trees; the year welcome the New Year at the stroke of midnight. first day of Nissan, the first month of the year The formalized ritual associated with this song has according to the Torah, is also known as the New Year been described by numerous writers: “It is common for the Reign of Jewish Kings; and finally, the lesser- practice that everyone joins hands with the person known, first day of Elul, which is designated as the New next to them to form a great circle around the dance Year for the Tithing of Cattle. floor. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone For most of us, it is Rosh Hashannah alone that crosses their arms across their breast, so that their Jews traditionally mark as our New Year’s Day, for right hand reaches out to the neighbor on their left and several reasons: 1) the actual counting of our years vice versa. When the tune ends, everyone rushes to (now 5777) advances with the first of Tishrei; 2) a the middle, while still holding hands. When the circle is sense of spiritual renewal is experienced through our re-established, everyone turns under the arms to end sincere teshuvah and urgent reconciliation with others; up facing outwards with hands still joined.” My Jewish 3) Rabbinic tradition tells us that the creation of the mind instantly connects this with our choreography for world took place on the first of Tishrei; and 4) Rosh Havdallah. How many times have you participated in a Hashannah is also known as Yom Teruah, the Day of circle of family, friends and community members as the Sounding of the Shofar, whose haunting notes you said farewell to Shabbat? You stood together in touch our souls in uniquely emotional ways. the fading light of the Havdallah candle, with your arms It is curious that the secular New Year has intertwined, singing together, swaying back and forth, another component to it that is extremely familiar to as you looked forward to the possibilities of renewal in us as Jews—the celebration begins the night before, on the coming week. You enthusiastically wished each New Year’s Eve. As Jews, we know that this is normal other a “Shavuah Tov” (a “Good Week”), and then operating procedure, because we follow the biblical looked hopefully toward the future. Doesn’t this tradition that “there was evening and there was sound familiar to your Jewish mind? Shanah Tovah… morning” on each of the days of creation. For us, a Happy New Year!! new day begins and ends during the transition --Hazzan Jeremy Lipton between day and night, as the sun sets and the stars

2017 Officers & Board of Trustees Installation Shabbat & Kiddush Luncheon

Shabbat, January 28 9:00 AM

Service of Healing with Rabbi Platt Saturday, January 7

Friday, January 6 9 AM 6:16pm Friday Night With Friends Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Oneg in honor of Penner Family 100 years of Penner’s Store

Saturday, January 7 Parsha Vayigash 9:00am Shabbat Healing Service 11:00am Bim Bam Shabbat & Mini Minyan Kiddush Luncheon

Friday, January 13 6:16pm Friday Night With Friends Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Oneg Shabbat

Saturday, January 14 Parsha Vayechi 9:00am Shabbat Service 11:00am Bim Bam Shabbat & Mini Minyan Kiddush Luncheon

Friday, January 20 Sisterhood Shabbat Weekend 20 & 21 6:16pm Friday Night With Friends Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Oneg Shabbat

Saturday, January 21 Parsha Shemot 9:00am Shabbat Service 11:00am Bim Bam Shabbat & Mini Minyan Kiddush Luncheon

Friday, January 27 6:16pm Friday Night With Friends Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Oneg Shabbat 7:45pm Shabbat En Español

Saturday, January 28 Parsha Va’era 9:00am Shabbat Service & Board Installation 11:00am Bim Bam Shabbat & Mini Minyan Kiddush Luncheon in honor of Susanne Jalnos 90th Birthday

Torah Study with Rabbi Abraham 1 PM in the Goldie and Joe Tills Library Following Kiddush Lunch every Shabbat !

Congregation Agudas Achim Welcomes New Board Members for 2017

Congregation Agudas Achim held its annual meeting on December 11 and voted to elect the following Officers and Board of Trustees to the 2017 Board term.

Board of Trustees President VP Ritual Rhonda Gurinsky VP Membership Octavio Viramontes Esther Lasky-Mata VP Finance Secretary Michael Peck VP Fundraising Amy Saklad Eileen Jalnos VP Education Treasurer Craig Berkowitch Mia Spigel

1st Year of 2 Year Term Ephraim Brenman Jon Gordon Fred Wartell Monica Lizka-Miller Jeff Siegel Ava Weinstein Lisa Abramson Alan Himmelstein

2nd Year of 2 Year Term

Mervyn Bloom Dan Garvin Mel Waldgeir Oren Leff Marilyn Karren Renee Glazier Ron Schlesinger Phil Landes

Mazel Tov to all of the 2017 Board of Trustees and Officers. Thank you to retiring trustees Steve Cole, David Present and Alice Troy for their commitment and contributions to our Agudas Achim Community.

Sunday, January 8 9:30 AM –11 AM

abies Bagels and Blocks Drop in and enjoy this purely social get-together of parents B and babies ages 0-18 months. Let the children play!

oddlers Toys and Torah A parent and toddler program for children 18 months to 4 years old. T Enjoy Stories, songs and lots of interactive play.

No RSVP is required for these FREE programs. Come by for a light bagel breakfast and connect with other families.

These programs are held the first Sunday of every month thanks to the generous grant from The Jewish Federation of San Antonio.

Hazzan Lipton and Rabbi Platt will be participants in the worship service. Everyone is invited to attend.

New to the Kolenu is our feature, Staff Spotlight, where you will be intro- duced to a member of our wonderful staff. This month, our spotlight is on our Accountant, Olivia Hernandez.

Olivia lived in Southern California with her parents, brother and sister for almost 30 years. There she attended school, and upon High School gradua- tion Olivia went to university where she majored in Computer Science and excelled in the program. Upon graduation the university asked her to teach Computer Science, a field she taught in for 20 years. Nine years ago the whole family moved from California to San Antonio and Olivia has been at Congregation Agudas Achim for the last three years. Outside of work, Olivia is very involved with her Church and holds many positions, one being the currently elected President of her Sisterhood. Olivia also finds time to teach third grade Catechism and she says she is always learning from her students. In her spare time, Olivia runs 5-10 miles a day and you can often find her being the handy-person at home. She has installed floors, glass shower doors and says she learns to be handy just by using Google. Olivia enjoys photography and her favorite subjects are the sunrise and sunset. She also likes to do puzzles and bike ride. Olivia met her husband, Benjamin-her first boyfriend, and has been married 27 years. Together they have a 16 year old daughter, Monique Alexandra. Olivia feels strongly that family is very im- portant and has always been surrounded by family, she still is today. Her parents live on one side of her house, and her sister and family live on the other. You can find Olivia hard at work, always willing to help and if you want to come by and say hello-her door is always open!

Save the Date for Next Year’s Texas Kosher BBQ Championship!

Sunday November 12, 2017 Connection Corner

Thursday January 5 from 5-8 PM @ Big’z Burger Joint Meet your fellow congregants in a casual setting for a brew and a meal. Join your friends and meet new ones. Bring the kids and let them play. Everyone is welcome! No RSVP required. Come and join the group and be ready to schmooze. We get together rain or shine!

Saturday, January 7 @ 7:30 PM , YCCA will meet at Eggspectation. The newest restaurant in town where there is something for everyone!

RSVP to 210-47-03037 or [email protected]

Thursday, January 12 @ 11:30 AM Simcha Social Club will meet in the Gurinsky Family Social Hall to hear Va- lerie Biediger from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (ACCOG), as she presents an overview on Health and Wellness as part of Age Well Live Well program. Age Well Live Well is a San Antonio coalition of agencies that provide information and guidance to the community. Don’t miss this informative and exciting program! There is so much to know-who knew!! Not the same old information! Simcha Social Club is complementary to those 65+and $5 to those under 65 and is a joint program of Congregation Agudas Achim and Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services.

A club designed for our 45+ group Bowl & Barrel on Saturday, January 14 at 7 PM. Bowl as a team and enjoy the full service modern American tavern for a one-of-a-kind experience! You don’t need to be an expert to have a fun time at this upscale bowling alley-all new at the Rim! $33/per person includes 2 hour lane rental, shoes, pizza, veggies & dip, cheese platter, giant pretzel & non-alcoholic beverage. RSVP by Jan 11 to 210-479-0307 January 2017

Tevet/Shevat 5777 Tevet/Shevat

January 2017 5777 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 3 Tevet 2 4 Tevet 3 5 Tevet 4 6 Tevet 5 7 Tevet 6 8 Tevet 7 9 Tevet 9am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 9am Shabbat Service 11 am Bim Bam Shabbat Mini Minyan 12:30am Israel and the 6pm Family B’nei Mitzvah Jewish People 6:15pm Friday Night with Kiddush Lunch 7pm Hebrew A & B Friends Shabbat Hanukkah Day 8 Sex War & Betrayal 5-8pm Brews & service 1pm Torah Study with New Years Day Office Closed 8pm Hebrew II Schmooze Rabbi Abraham Intro to Judaism Secrets of the Candle Lighting 5:32pm Parsha Vayigash Siddur Havdalah 6:33pm 7:30pm YCCA 8 10 Tevet 9 11 Tevet 10 12 Tevet 11 13 Tevet 12 14 Tevet 13 15 Tevet 14 16 Tevet 9am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 9am Shabbat Service 11 am Bim Bam Shabbat 9:30am Babies Bagels 10am Sisterhood Book 10:30am Pirke Avot 11:30am Simcha Social Mini Minyan and Blocks Review Club Kiddush Lunch Toddlers Toys 7pm Hebrew A & B 6:15pm Friday Night with 1pm Torah Study with and Torah 11:30am Its a Mitzvah Sex War & Betrayal 12:30am Israel and the Friends Shabbat Rabbi Abraham 11am Heart and Soul 7pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah 8pm Hebrew II Jewish People service Intro to Judaism Parsha Vayechi Secrets of the Havdalah 6:38pm Siddur Candle Lighting 5:37pm 7:00pm Club AA 15 17 Tevet 16 18 Tevet 17 19 Tevet 18 20 Tevet 19 21 Tevet 20 22 Tevet 21 23 Tevet 9am Morning Minyan 9:00am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan Sisterhood Shabbat 9am IPRS 9am Shabbat Service 10:30am Pirke Avot 11 am Bim Bam Shabbat 11am Heart and Soul 11:30am Its a Mitzvah 12:30am Israel and the Sisterhood Shabbat Wknd Mini Minyan 7pm Hebrew A & B Jewish People 6:15pm Friday Night with Kiddush Lunch Sex War & Betrayal Friends Shabbat 1pm Torah Study with Office Closed 8pm Hebrew II service Rabbi Abraham Intro to Judaism Secrets of the Parsha Shemot Siddur Candle Lighting 5:43pm Havdalah 6:44pm 22 24 Tevet 23 25 Tevet 24 26 Tevet 25 27 Tevet 26 28 Tevet 27 29 Tevet 28 1 Shevat 9am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 9am Shabbat Service 9am IPRS 11 am Bim Bam Shabbat 10:30am Pirke Avot Simcha Shabbat Mini Minyan 11am Heart and Soul 11:30am Its a Mitzvah 12:30am Israel and the 6:15pm Friday Night with Kiddush Lunch 7pm Hebrew A & B Jewish People Friends Shabbat 1pm Torah Study with Sex War & Betrayal service Rabbi Abraham 7pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah 8pm Hebrew II 7:45 Shabbat en Español Intro to Judaism & Family Dinner 7:30pm Board Mtg Secrets of the Parsha Va’era Siddur Candle Lighting 5:49pm Havdalah 6:50pm 29 2 Shevat 30 3 Shevat 31 4 Shevat 9am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan 7:30am Morning Minyan

9am IPRS 11am Heart and Soul 11:30am Its a Mitzvah

Board Retreat 7pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah

More Calendar: Feb, Mar, PDF Calendar

Sisterhood 98th Anniversary Tea Honors SISTERHOOD SisterhoodJoyce Leighton and Marsha Greenberg Sunday, February 19 at 1:30 PM Gurinsky Family Social Hall Joyce Leighton was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the youngest of 3 daughters. The family moved to the Boston area when Joyce was two, and, later, Joyce and her parents relocated to Laredo, Texas. This is where she met the "love of her life", Leonard "Lanny" Leighton, who proposed to Joyce at her high school graduation. After marriage, the couple moved to Austin, where Lanny attended UT Law School. After he graduated, Lanny opened up his law office in San Antonio, where the couple lived and raised a family. Lanny and Joyce had four children: Derek, now an Austin psychologist, Brenda and William, both attorneys in Austin, and Marla, a school counselor, here in San Antonio. Joyce is very proud of her five grandchildren. Emily, Sara, and Sam in Austin, Blaine, in San Antonio, and Bri- an who has made aliya and is living in Israel.

Joyce graduated from UTSA and worked in Lanny's office as a secretary and bookkeeper. The family joined Agudas Achim in 2012; after Lanny passed away in 2013, Joyce joined Sisterhood. Since then, she has become one of our most active and involved members. She was elected to the Board and became Fund-raising Co vice-president with Bernice Mazer in 2015 and worked tirelessly on our rum- mage sale, sitting in on planning meetings, picking up, pricing, and packing rummage, and all other aspects of a successful sale. As Fund-raising Co vice-president, she also worked on the Anniversary Tea, ordering invitations, selling raffle tickets, baking, and doing all last minute preparations. This year, she has been Fund-raising Co-vice-president with Marsha Greenberg. They have ordered, sold , Joyce Leighton and distributed High Holiday plants. Currently, Joyce is excited to be a member of Agudas Achim's B'Nai Mitzvah class, and is looking forward to becoming a Bat Mitzvah in May.

Marsha Greenberg in Her Own Words Born in Akron Ohio, January 13, 1942, I moved to San Antonio at 16 with my parents, Nathan and Belle Hafkin, brother Barry and sister Tobi. I met my husband Gary and married him at Agudas Achim Syna- gogue in 1960. We were 18 and 19. Eleven months later we welcomed daughter, Barbie into our lives and three years later son, Bobby. I worked part time as a hairdresser for about 5 years until my chil- dren started school, then with the support of my family, went to SAC and later traveled to San Mar- cos to complete a degree in Education with a concentration in Economics. I taught in the Northside School District for 32 years. During which time I wrote the teacher edition of an Economics textbook, served on the College Board for the AP Economics Test, and traveled to Austin to develop curriculum for TEA. During my first three years of teaching, I completed a master’s degree in Curriculum and In- struction. I loved both raising my family and teaching my students.

After retiring, I was a docent at the Holocaust Museum for many years and then a few years ago I joined Sisterhood and found a caring, involved, committed group of women whom I have come to re- spect and love. I have spent many a Tuesday and Friday sorting and pricing clothes with the “rummage ladies”, shopping and delivering food to the Battered Women’s Shelter, decorating for pro- grams, ordering posters, mailing out flyers to the congregation and one week Marilyn Karren and I prepared and served a Kiddish luncheon. Last year I was chair for Sisterhood Shabbat, a program on aging, and a wonderful women’s happy hour. This year, Joyce Leighton and I ordered and sold flowers Marsha Greenberg for the High Holy Days. Meeting new members and renewing old friendships has been the best part of Sisterhood. I stand in awe of these wonderful, self- less women. Thank you for all the support and love you have given me.

TORAH FUND DONATIONS THINKING OF YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY Helene Banks by Bernice Mazer Margie Baseman by Phyliss & Steve Cole Eddie Halfant by Thelma Lettman Anita Kboudi by Sandy & Fred Wartell Elaine Lauterstein by Phyliss & Steve Cole Bernice Mazer by Gaby & Alex Scharlack IN MEMORY OF Julie Miller by Phyliss & Steve Cole Marinel Robbins by Phyliss & Steve Cole Brother, A.W.Eisenstot (yahrzeit), by Jean & Arnold Eisenstot Joanne Zaike by Phyliss & Steve Cole, Babs Schnitzer Mitzi Efron by Natalie & Irwin Barath, Phyliss & Steve Cole, Jean & Arnold Eisenstot, Sheryd & David Jackson, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Jean & Ron Schlesinger, Babs Schnitzer, Sandy & Fred Wartell, Joanne & Don Zaike, Marilyn & Jerry Karren Barbara and Ronnie Argo by Phyliss & Steve Cole Grandparents, Morris and Minnie Ginsburg (yahrzeits), by Arnold Eisenstot GET WELL Michael Hoffman by Sandy & Fred Wartell Yvette Kalter by Bernice Mazer, Sherie & Anatole Trakhtenbroit Joel Friedman by Jean & Ron Schlesinger Shirley Kboudi by Barbara & Ronnie Argo, Bernice Mazer, Sandy Marsha Greenberg by Judy & Eddie Halfant, Bernice Mazer & Fred Wartell Eddie Halfant by Jean & Arnold Eisenstot, Joanne & Don Zaike Leah Maze by Jean & Arnold Eisenstot, Pearl Gossen, Bernice Marilyn & Jerry Karren Mazer, Jean & Ron Schlesinger, Ida Rose Shapiro, Sandra Weingart by Bernice Mazer Sylvia Wilk, Sandy & Fred Wartell Linda Wilk by Bernice Mazer Alejandro Newman by Bernice Mazer Joan Ross by Joanne & Don Zaike

Torah Fund cards are only $4 each. Two simple steps to order: Please make your payment to Sisterhood Torah Fund and send check to: Thelma Lettman, 3719 Litchfield, 78230. Call Barbara Rocklin at 210.776.7854 to order cards. Thank you for your support of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism’s Torah Fund. USY Regional Weekend Sisterhood Torah Fund Lunch

Moonlight Club Supper Agudas Club Achim

Scholatstic Book Fair

Member Brews & Schmooze Babies Bagels & Blocks Moments Toddlers Toys & Torah

Scholar in Residence Jim Long

Simcha Social Club

Welcome New Staff Member Shy Axelrod

Shy Axelrod is new to the IPRS/HPS team, replacing the position Sami Burgess held. Sami decided this was the perfect time to return to college and finish her degree.

Please welcome Shy as the new Adminis- trative Assistant for the Education Depart- ment here at Agudas Achim. She comes to Agudas Achim with experience in working with children, parents and teachers. Shy We have been busy with holds a degree in History and is one of the Synagogue Librarians. Her experience in Scholastic Book Fair teaching makes Shy a perfect addition to Noah’s Ark the IPRS/HPS staff. Havdalah

All the fun takes place at IPRS!

WINNING TEAMS Tributes RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND SAM HYMAN PRAYERBOOK FUND In Loving Memory of In Honor of Rabbi Abraham  Miriam Shaw by Esther Jacobs  In honor of Steve Cole’s birthday and in honor of RUTH RUTSTEIN POSNER AND NATHAN POSNER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND  Mitzi Efron by Jody & Paul Reddy Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Lipton by Arlene & In Loving Memory of Bob Spanier  David Schlesinger upon his yahrtzeit by  Steve Gossen upon his Yahrtzeit by Jean & Ron Schlesinger  By Anonymous Fonda & Gary Gossen  Mitzi Efron by Sandy & Marc Schnall

In Loving Memory of In Appreciation of For the Speedy Recovery of  Mitzi Efron by Linda Brown Rabbi Platt for naming of Maggie Mandel by  Eddie Halfant by Susanne Jalnos Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Mandel   Hazzen Lipton by Nancy Prince  Eddie Halfant by Helen Kerman Get Well Wishes to  Helen Isgur by Elaine & Ed Lauterstein JACK AND KITTY KADISH MINYAN BREAKFAST PALMETTO STREET FUND HISTORICAL CEMETERY FUND CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Honor of Hazzan Lipton by BERNARD AND SYLVIA JOSEPH AND PAULINE PREISSMAN FUND  Marsha & Gary Greenberg for Friday Night with KANTER FUND In Loving Memory of Friends Kabbalat Shabbat RUTH RUTSTEIN POSNER AND  By Anonymous  Shirley Kboudi by Zona & Barry Pidgeon BARBARA & ERICA RUTSTEIN CAMP FUND  Shirley Kboudi by Sylvia Wilk In Loving Memory of JAKE AND MINNIE PULMAN BUILDING AND  Mitzi Efron by Linda Brown BOB KBOUDI CHILDREN’S ENDOWMENT FUND BOOK FUND  Shirley Kboudi by Jimmy Toubin In Loving Memory of RUTH, FELIX & SAMMY REIF

 Shirley Kboudi by Joan Fries BUILDING AND SECURITY FUND DIRECTOR OF In Loving Memory of CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING  Shirley Kboudi by Fonda & Gary Gossen  Mitzi Efron by Sharon & Harry Abelow DISCRETIONARY FUND  Shirley Kboudi by Susanne Jalnos  Doris Savin upon her yahrtzeit by Rhonda, Carl, ALEXANDER YOUTH FUND  Shirley Kboudi by Elaine & Ed Rebecca & Matthew Jalnos Lauterstein  Mitzi Efron by Lala, Emily & Eleanor Gossen ALWAIS SCHOOL FUND  Shirley Kboudi by Maggie & Michael Singer  Esther Vexler by Lala Reif Gossen  Shirley Kboudi by the Stenzler family DOROTHY CHASAN, MOTHER OF BARBARA CHASAN ENDOWMENT FUND  Shisrley Kboudi by Cheryl & Rob Weiner ROSS FAMILY KITCHEN IMPROVEMENT FUND HANNAH JEAN COHEN Mazel Tov to In Loving Memory of SCHOLORSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND  Richard & Charlotte Sue Alterman on their  Shirley Kboudi by Hana Ross 66th Wedding Anniversary and for the birth of ELAINE & IRVING FRANK EDUCATIONAL their third great-grandchild by Mara & Herman RABBI LOUIS SCHECHTER SCHOLAR IN ENRICHMENT FUND Levin and family RESIDENCE FUND

BERTIE & SELIG FRANK HERITAGE AND ANNA AND SAMUEL MAX & SERENE LOWY SCHMIDT SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND MEADOWS SCHOLARSHIP FUND FUND To send students and teachers to Israel to learn about their heritage MARTIN AND SARAH MARCUS ENDOWED A. STILLMAN FUND SCHOLARSHIP FUND GENERAL FUND SYNAGOGUE In Loving Memory of MEMORIAL GARDENS FUND BEAUTIFICATION FUND  Mitzi Efron by Charlotte Sue & In Loving Memory of Richard Alterman  Milford Jacobs upon his yahrtzeit by SYNAGOGUE Sandra and Fred Kline ENDOWMENT FUND  Esther Vexler by Charlotte Sue & Richard Alterman  Mitzi Efron by Linda & Marvin Aboloff GOLDIE AND JOE TILLS  Shirley Kboudi by Louise and Michael Beldon  Shirley Kboudi by Leslie Hoffman LIBRARY FUND Mazel Tov to  Mitzi Efron & Clara Reich by Suzanne &  Mitzi Efron by Laura Schnitzler Randy Dym  Barbara & Stanley Spiegel in new home by  Esther Vexler by Mickey & Steven Gross MINYAN FUND Lala, Emily & Eleanor Gossen For the Speedy Recovery of  Stanley Spigel upon his birthday by Mitzi Efron by Lovell Harrison &  Ronni & Jason Chozick Saundra Harrison  Eddie Halfant by Linda & Marvin Aboloff  Mitzi Efton by Steven Lee In Loving Memory of  Esther Vexler by Steven Lee, Eileen Lee In Loving Memory of  Shirley Kboudi by Barbara & Stanley Spigel & Jack & Karen Lee  Mitzi Efron by Hilary Kavy  Mitzi Efron by Marian & Sid Shaenfield TORAH RESTORATION AND  Mitzi Efron by Sheldon Levine and REPAIR FUND  Rita Simon and Rae Leof by Phillip Simon Marilyn & Cal Lemmon In Loving Memory of  Mitzi Efron by Ellen Stewart-Klein  Esther Vexler by Sheldon Levine and  Leah Maze by Jeff Jenson & Utopian LVH Marilyn & Cal Lemmon  Esther Vexler by Reagan Stone  Leah Maze by Kathy Mittler  Clara Reich by Althea & Gordon Moore  Dearest husband, Isadore Tudzin by wife, Shirley  Leah Maze by Harold Reich Tudzin upon his yahrtzeit  Mitzi Efron by Harold Reich  Leah Maze by Alice & John Troy  Mitzi Efron by Marcia & Mel Waldgeir  Leah Segal by Marcia and David Segal  Shirley Kboudi and Doris Toubin by In Honor of Sheila Weiner GERTRUDE MYERS FAMILY FUND  Joanne Zaike’s birthday by Elsa Thompson  Mitzi Efron by Larry Golman ONEG AND KIDDUSH FUND In Honor of TOT SHABBAT PROGRAM In Honor of  To the Oneg & Kiddush Fund by Rober Eskander  Sylvia Wilk’s Birthday by Benita & Allan Ross USY PROGRAM  Mickey & Steven Gross by Sally Hardy GLADYS & MINNIE GREENBERG  Anatole Trakhtenbroit by Eileen & ABRAHAM AND ROSE VEXLER YOM KIPPUR TRIBUTE FUND Robi Jalnos FLOWER FUND In Loving Memory of  Mitzi Efron by Helen Kerman HEINTZ PRESCHOOL FUND  Esther Vexler by Sandra & Fred Kline In loving Memory of  The 50th anniversary of her Bat Mitzvah by Debbie Linck  Leah Shapiro Maze by Minna Maze WEINGART YOUTH CAMP AND TRAVEL FUND

 Mitzi Eftron by Karen Heintz YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND Simchas January Birthdays-To 120 and beyond! Jan 11 Jan 19 Jan 27 Jan 1 Maggie Singer Maurice Federbusch Howard Garb Barb Bikoff Damon Gray Marilyn Maizel Marvin Dinesman Philip Siegel Jan 12 Jan 28 Jan 2 Stacy Greenberg Jan 20 Frances Anderson Joyce Klein Evelyn Crisp Noah Maizel Jan 13 Esta Zucker Jan 3 Helene Barenburg-Gunn Jan 29 Jacob Shweiki Joan Fries Jan 21 Sonja Goldberg Marisa Sloan Marsha Greenberg Gloria Cohn Gary Gossen Marguerite Lerer Bennett Stahl Heather Kerr Jan 4 Leigh Ohlstein John Troy Mel Waldgeir Aaron Goldstein Garland Scott Carolyn McKinley Alice Troy Jan 22 Jan 30 Rebecca Gilbert Perla Scott Jan 6 Jan 14 Paul Deschner Linda Aboloff Jan 23 Jan 31 Sheryd Jackson Rabbi Leonardo Bitran Jane Bankler Eric Fein Tyler Fuller Glenn Halff Joseph Lundblade Jan 7 Leah Gross Marc Magram Swaney Sepulveda Jan 24 Jessica Reed Jan 15 Ariel Friedman Ryan Reed Jan 8 Georgiana Gross Michael Goldberg Shari Pulman Elizabeth Mendlovitz Kelly Klein Nancy Siegal Sheri Pullen Jan 17 Jan 9 Elizabeth Davis Jan 25 Sheryl Barenblat Susanne Jalnos Beverly Birnbaum Jan 18 David Reitblatt Angela Behn Emma Weingerz Jan 10 Gregory Jacobs Susan Beldon Reesa Pullen Jan 26 Ronit Sherwin Michael Singer Robyn Bradley Morris Toback Veronica Viramontes

January Anniversaries - Here’s to many more!

Jan 1 Jan 18 Jan 25 Adam & Keng Chester John & Jennifer Craft Eric & Dara Holwitt David & Sheryd Jackson Jackson & Beverly Salasky Ron Peden & Rachel Rosenberg Peden Derek & Michele Perry Gal & Bonnie Shweiki David & Rachel Rubenstein Jan 26 Jan 19 Eddie & Judy Halfant Jan 4 Joel & Anne Roth Dan Weingart & Amy Sugarman Richard & Elaine Miller Jan 20 Jan 27 Jan 5 Ronnie Levy & Emily Sparks Noah & Liliana Maizel Michael & Lainey Berkus Arthur & Lois Solomon Jan 21 Jan 10 Max & Suzan Mendlovitz Jan 28 Bob & Rosanne Atlas Bruce & Burlene Baumann Brad & Sheri Barenblat Jan 22 John & Linda Nevelow Jerome & Tammy Cohen Jan 12 Jan 29 Todd & Iris Usnik Jan 23 Adam & Deborah Denker Gladys & Michael Koranek Jan 13 Jan 30 Steve & Phyliss Cole Jan 24 Francisco & Leslie Carrillo Ed & Shelly Berens Jan 17 Alex & Gaby Scharlack Jon & Jessica Bernstein Mike & Marinel Robbins Yahrzeits ~ May their memory be for a blessing

January 2017

Our sincere condolences to the Epstein Family on the loss of M. William “Bill” Epstein

Jan 1 Bessie Bankler Jan 12 Jan 22 Norma Lebovitz Morris Beldon Elizabeth Bikoff Sylvan Gurinsky Jan 2 Rachel Wilk Jan 23 Samuel Reif Rose Esstman Harry Silberman Jan 13 Esther Boroda Pawet Korngold Paul Atlas Vivian Zucker Anne Moskowitz Abraham Grolnick Gladys Greenberg Jan 24 Jan 3 Sam Skolnick Nathan Cytrin Leanore Kavy Jacob Harris Jerrel Davis Jan 14 Myron Hauser Louis Heintz Charles Gossen Morris Halpin Ben Jacobs Morris Wiedermann Rachel Kaminsky Victor Krull Jan 25 Max Mendlovitz Vera Fein Jan 15 Jan 4 da Arnow Jan 26 Morris Ginsburg Leah Schuman Anton Sachnowitz Mary Glazier Jack Domnitz Jan 5 Mark Levine Bertha Lusky Grace Diamond David Katims Simon Wiedermann Rose Cohn Faye DuBrow Ruth Blonder Saul Friedman Jan 27 Morris Pines Joseph Baseman Jan 16 Irwin Glazier Jan 6 Rae Lionell Evelyn Kanter Sherry Roosth Jan 28 Ralph Robbins Gay Golmon Erna Epstein Ruth Levinson Jan 7 Jan 17 Jeff Feinstein Sam Seidenberg George Stern Ann Lunenfeld Weera Sintrakool Marlene Hartstein Mike Kavy Jan 18 Ernest Simon Jesse Holwitt Sam Friedman Morton Lasky Reva Tobias Jan 29 Isadore Pruzansky Fried Stiehl Chaim Shapiro Tillye Adler Isadore Miller Roberta Greenberg Judith Saklad Mary Harris Jan 8 Camilo Villanueva Beatrice Kline Sarah Behar Goldie Shapiro Leonard Leighton Theresa Silver Mary Wiedermann Janice Garlitz Robert Dahms David Zaltsman Jan 30 Jan 9 Jan 19 Louis Caner Joseph Goldparb Nehama Sachnowitz Isadore Herschman Dennis Marion Fannie Nadler Arthur Kaiser Irving Rutstein Rose Isgur Irwin Danziger Lupe Mata Manuel Trevino Jan 10 Jacob Weizman Sheldon Vexler Julius Wartell Yadya Shulman William Lipstein Jan 31 Morton Leof Jan 20 Max Bier Edna Alper Lillian Shapiro Jan 11 Martin Kasson Julius Coben Otto Haar Vivian Shaenfield Melvin Roth Julius Garb Bessie Buchalter Arnold Alper Jan 21 Harry Greenberg Rose Jacobs Harry Kalmans Emanuel Harkavy George DuBrow Sophie Brown Samuel Buchalter Call Sherri at 210.479.0307 for rate information to place an ad. We deliver to over 550 homes! NON-PROFIT ORG. Congregation Agudas Achim U.S. POSTAGE 16550 Huebner Road PAID SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS San Antonio, TX 78248 PERMIT NO. 57

Donations made to the synagogue will be acknowledged as follows: Service Times

Daily Minyan $10.00 7:30am Monday - Friday ~ Vexler Chapel Donation listed in ONE honoree’s name per donation 9:00am Sunday ~ Vexler Chapel Kolenu and Evenings by contacting office acknowledgement Donations received mailed to the after the publication Shabbat Evening recipient only. deadline will be 6:15pm ~ Vexler Chapel published in the following Kolenu. Shabbat Morning $18.00 9:00am ~ Alterman Salkind Louis Sanctuary Donation listed in or Vexler Chapel Kolenu and acknowledgement Yahrzeits are read at EACH service. mailed to the Babysitting provided for birth through 2nd grade at all recipient and donor. Shabbat Morning services.

Office Hours: The Kolenu is published monthly. The deadline for all submissions is the 24th day of each month two Monday -Tuesday Friday months prior to publication.

and Thursday 8:00am - 4:00pm So, we want to hear from you! Yell a kvell to 8:00am - 5:00pm. Sherri Samuels at 210.479.0307 or email to [email protected].

Wednesday Administration Office Inda Posner Religious 210.479.0307 School 9:00am - 6:00pm Fax - 210.479.0295 210.479.2689

Heintz Preschool [email protected] 210.479.0429 www.agudas-achim.org