Beth Shalom Synagogue
5827 North Trenholm Road * Columbia, SC 29206 * (803) 782-2500
Welcome to Beth Shalom!
We are glad to hear of your interest in our community. “Beth Shalom” means House of Peace, and we hope this is a place where you can find peace, healing, inspiration and community, and grow in your love of yiddishkeit and your service of the divine. We are an inclusive and joyous spiritual community where tradition lives and thrives.
At Beth Shalom, we offer more than just services. We offer Torah, joyous study of our traditional texts as a lifelong pathway to spiritual growth. We offer “gemilut hesed,” opportunities to do mitzvot together both for the Jewish commu- nity and for the greater world. And we offer community.
I would be glad to speak with you more about your Jewish interests and passions, to offer any help or guidance which you would need, or simply to chat and get to know you. My door is always open.
Sincerely,
Rabbi David B. Siff BETH SHALOM SYNAGOGUE 5827 N. Trenholm Rd. Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 782-2500
RABBI: David Siff DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: Rebecca Pinsker RESIDENT SCHOLAR: Dr. Leon Spotts PRESIDENT: Dr. Lilly Filler WEB SITE: www.BethShalomColumbia.org Welcome to Beth Shalom Synagogue!
Beth Shalom "House of Peace" is affiliated with the Conservative branch of American Judaism. Our worship service is conducted mostly in Hebrew with English translation available on every page of the prayer book and Chumash (Bible). The Shabbat (Sabbath) evening and morning services in which we participate is a tradition that dates back well over 2000 years and is conducted in synagogues worldwide.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an important cultural and religious event in the life of a Jewish boy or girl, marking the time when he/she makes the transition to a young adult member of the Jewish community. Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a call to responsibility.
Kippot (head covering) and Tallit (prayer shawls) You may wonder why so many Jewish men in the synagogue wear a prayer shawl (tallit), with long fringes. That's because of G-d's command in Num- bers 15:37-41: The Lord said to Moses as follows: “Speak to the Israelite people and instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a cord of blue to the fringe at each corner... Thus you shall be reminded to observe all my com- mandments and to be holy to your G-d." The wearing of the Tallit is op- tional for women. When entering the sanctuary, all men and boys are re- quired to wear a head covering or Kippah. This is a Jewish tradition and a sign of respect for G-d. Women are only required to wear a head covering when called to the Bema (the raised platform in front of the synagogue).
The Sanctuary As you sit in the main sanctuary, look straight ahead. The raised platform, or stage in front of the synagogue is called a bimah. Located in the middle of the bimah is the Holy Ark containing the Torah (Scroll of the Law), in which is written the Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses. Our synagogue has more than one Torah scroll, but it should be noted that all are identical; in content, writing (orthography), and length, and are always produced by specially-trained scribes. The scribe may require about a year to write a Torah scroll. All writing is copied from an existing scroll, and each word is pronounced aloud by the scribe before copying it. There can be no mis- takes. If an error is made the entire sheet of parchment is set aside and bur- ied. There is no punctuation and there are no vowels in the Torah. Aside from the beautiful manner in which the Hebrew text is written, there is no decoration or pictorial art in a Torah scroll. Reading from the Torah is the central element around which the Sabbath morning liturgy is built. The Torah Service Hebrew is read from right to left, so the reading of the prayer book also moves in that direction. This portion of the service centers on the chanting of the text from the Torah and a text from the Prophets (Haftorah). The Torah contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah de- scribes the origins of the Jewish people. Embodied in this history are the laws by which we are expected to live.
Each week the Torah is removed and a designated portion is read. After the Torah has been removed from the Ark, it is carried around the sanctuary so that congregants may touch is as a sign of love and respect. The congrega- tion always rises when the Ark is opened out of respect for the word of G-d contained in the Torah. The Ark is located on the eastern wall of the syna- gogue, facing Jerusalem, the site of the ancient Temple. The Torah scrolls are velvet or satin covered and are adorned with silver ornaments. Hanging above the Ark is an ornate lamp called the "Ner Tamid" or Eternal Light. It is continually lit to remind us of the constant watchfulness of G-d.
The service is divided into three main parts:
Shacharit Service: This service includes introductory prayers, psalms, affirmation of faith and silent devotions.
The Torah Service: This begins with the opening of the Ark and removal of the Torah Scrolls. The Torah will be carried around the sanctuary for all to see and touch. The scroll is then opened and the weekly portion read. The weekly Torah portion has been sub-divided into small sections. For each section we call upon an honored adult who thanks G-d for the spiritual privilege of reciting a blessing over the Torah. This honor is called an Ali- yah. Every Shabbat at least seven Jews beyond Bar or Bat Mitzvah age are called to the bema to recite a blessing over the Torah (Aliyah). Then the weekly Haftorah portion will be read along with introductory and conclud- ing blessings. The Haftorah is the lesson from the Prophets. The Torah and Haftorah portions can be found in Hebrew and English in the larger Chu- mashim, or Bibles.
The Musaf Service: This relatively short service contains concluding prayers and hymns. After blessing over the wine and challah (ceremonial bread), please join us for kiddush luncheon in the social hall.
Thank you for joining us and we wish you a Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath of Peace).
Schedule of Services
Shabbat evening services Friday - 6:30 p.m.
Shabbat morning services Saturday - 9:45 a.m.
Minyan Monday-Thursday - 6:15 p.m.
E-mail Addresses:
Rabbi David Siff: [email protected] Rebecca Pinsker: [email protected] Dr. Leon Spotts: [email protected] Tonya Dotson: [email protected] Sara Simmons: [email protected]
Web Site: www.BethShalomColumbia.org Beth Shalom Synagogue RESOURCES & PROGRAMS
Junior Congregation Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education Learning your prayers and learning how to pray are two completely different skill sets! Families and students join together the first two Shabbatot a month to learn how to pray and create a dialogue with G‐d.
Kadima & USY Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education We may be small but we are mighty! Get together with other your other Jewish friends and not only have fun but do mitzvot at the same time! Join us for loads of fun.
Family Shabbat This monthly program features a family oriented Friday night service followed by a Shabbat dinner including food and special programming for children.
Interfaith / Intermarriage Contact: Matt Gottlieb, 528‐7312 Do you or will you have a non‐Jewish family member or spouse? This does not exclude anyone from being involved or welcome at Beth Shalom. We offer programming and support to assist in the inclusion of all family members wanting to be involved members of the community. Even if you just have a question we are there for you.
Daily Worship We join together as a community for daily worship (minyan) Monday through Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
Tikkun Olam Contact: Sue Berkowitz, 256‐0109
Adult Education Academy Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education Lean in an innovative environment that encourages questions. Academy leaning happens three times a year, Fall, Winter, and Spring with course offerings of two‐55 minute classes each hour from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday evenings.
Music & Choir Contact: Dr. Michal Rubin, 738‐0267 Beth Shalom is in the midst of a "musical" journey, enriching our services with music and song with an emphasis on congregational singing. Sound files are sent to the community with new melodies; groups of "singers" prepare for the High Holy Days, encouraging singing in the kahal (congregation); our services are led by lay leaders; the Torah and Haftarah are chanted by lay readers; As a new congregant, we would like to extend our invitation to you to join the ranks of singers, Torah readers, and prayer leaders.
Hesed Outreach Contact: Doris Frank, 699‐1464 Caring for Our Members Our compassion for our Beth Shalom community finds its expression in the physical world through bikur cholim, visiting the sick, and nichum avelim, comforting the mourner. Both these mitzvot fall within gemilut chesed, acts of loving kindness performed in emulation of God's devine kindness and love, without the expectation of reward or acknowledgment. The relationships created by these acts hold the potential for spiritual experiences, enriching the giver as well as receiver.
Library Contact: Rebecca Pinsker, Director of Education Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, commemorating a loved one? Consider a donation to continue building our collection of juvenile, research, and adult books. Our library is a welcome haven for scholars, students, browsers, novel lovers, mystery fanatics, and soon movie and music lovers.
Beth Shalom Sisterhood Contact: Heidi Lovit, 736‐5144 Beth Shalom Sisterhood is a vital part of Beth Shalom. Sisterhood has many programs that run throughout the year, such as Sisterhood Shabbat weekend, Sisterhood Donor, Torah Fund “Chai Tea,” monthly Jewish Women’s Book Club meetings, Paid‐Up Brunch, and many more. Not to mention they run our beautiful Gift Shop. Sisterhood provides many opportunities for support to our synagogue and educational department. Join Sisterhood today!
Sisterhood Gift Shop As you consider your birthday, wedding, anniversary, and holiday gift needs, come see the wonderful assortment of jewelry, serving pieces, candlesticks, religious, and non‐religious items. Hours are: Wednesday: 4:30 ‐ 6:15 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m., or by appointment 782‐ 2500. We are looking for volunteers to work in the Gift Shop for a couple of hours a week. If you are interested in seeing how you can help, call Naomi Freedman. at 787‐1882 Welcome to Beth Shalom Board of Directors
Officers BETH SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
President: Lilly Filler Vice President: Barbara Blau Treasurer: Joe Sharnoff Financial Secretary: David Zalesne Recording Secretary: Harold Friedman Immediate Past President: Howard Stravitz
Members of the Board of Directors
Ruth Bazerman Ronnie Frank Ira Greenberg Howard Hammer Lyssa Harvey Charles Kahn o ka ,hc Hyman Karesh Dan Matzner Sandra Poliakoff Sharon Robinson Beth Bernstein Sanders “Where Tradition Come Alive” Linda Schoen Giddings Aaron Small Randy Stark
RABBI: David B. Siff Board of Trustees Members DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: Rebecca Pinsker
Shep Cutler Bruce Filler 5827 North Trenholm Road Belle Jewler Barry Laban Columbia, SC. 29206 David Lovit (803) 782-2500 Bill Stern www.BethShalomColumbia.org Jack Swerling Henry Ray Wengrow Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism THE HISTORY Rabbi David B. Siff 782-2500 THE BEGINNING Director of Education Rebecca Pinsker 782-2500 Resident Scholar Dr. Leon Spotts 787-9330 The Jewish community has existed in Columbia since the early nineteen century, with German Jewish set- President Dr. Lilly Filler 788-2416 tlers practicing Judaism in a synagogue they had re- Vice President Barbara Blau 782-0612 built in 1900, after it was destroyed by General Treasurer Joe Sharnoff 788-1184 Sherman’s troops in the closing days of the Civil War. Financial Secretary David Zalesne 788-2577 Membership Co-Chairs Sharon Robinson 790-7977 By 1907, a number of Jewish men began to gather in Lyssa Harvey 787-7331 this small house at the corner of Park and Lady Street to conduct Orthodox services. This small “minyan” became the House of Peace (Beth Friday Evening Service: 6:30 p.m. Shalom) under the leadership of the first congregational president, Philip Epstein, and Saturday Morning Service: 9:45 a.m. received a state charter in 1912. Monday - Thursday Minyans: 6:15 p.m.
THE PAST Beth Shalom Synagogue provides a comprehensive Jewish educational program for By 1928, Columbia’s Jewish community was too the children and youth of the congregation beginning with the early childhood years large to be accommodated in the Park Street Syna- and extending through Hebrew school into middle school and high school. The young gogue and plans were made to erect a larger syna- people of the congregation have the opportunity to learn about and participate in the gogue. On January 27, 1935, this building was built religious traditions and culture of our people. Bar and Bat Mitzvah for boys and girls on Marion Street. at age 13 are particularly meaningful at Beth Shalom. And the emerging teen pro- gram offers unique opportunities for further Jewish learning coupled with travel to At a general meeting on April 21, 1955, the congre- Israel and elsewhere. gation approved the purchase of land on Trenholm Road to be used to build a Jewish Community Cen- The congregation also offers a wide-ranging adult education program, including op- ter, education building and Synagogue. portunities for studying Hebrew and participating in adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes, The JCC later became a separate organization and the education building (now known as discussion groups, lectures on diverse topics such as Israel, Jewish holidays, and life Lollipop Lane Daycare) served as Sunday School, Hebrew School and Nursery School, cycle events. until the current education wing was added onto the synagogue in 1980. For further information on any of the above, contact the Director of Education at Beth Shalom, Rebecca Pinsker, 782-2500. THE PRESENT Board of Education Chairperson: Ground breaking ceremonies for the new Syna- Daryl Giddings 419-0203 gogue at 5827 North Trenholm Rd., were held on December 19, 1971. The dedication of the new Hebrew School: Wednesday 4:30 - 6:15 p.m. Synagogue we now call home was held on March Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 25, 1973. At a general congregational meeting held Select Saturdays 9:45 a.m. - noon on October 31, 1976, the congregation voted to build an education building adjacent to the Syna- gogue. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on The Sisterhood of Beth Shalom Synagogue plays an active role in the Jewish commu- nity. It seeks to instill the ideals of Judaism into the lives and homes of its members May 20, 1979 and the completed building was officially dedicated on January 12, 1980. A through education, social action and religious observance. Call Heidi Lovit at 787- major expansion of the education wing was built in 1999. A Mikvah was constructed adja- 5744, if you would like more information. cent to the education building in 1999. The Sisterhood operates the gift shop at Beth Shalom for your holiday and special Today our congregation has the largest membership in its history and many second and occasion gift giving. The gift shop hours are Wednesdays: 4:30-6:15 p.m. and Sun- third generation Beth Shalom members have taken leadership roles within the Synagogue. days: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or by appointment.
Beth Shalom Synagogue “Where Tradition Comes Alive”
Application for Membership
5827 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 782-2500 * (803) 782-2501 Fax: (803) 782-5420 www.BethShalomColumbia.org
Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Beth Shalom Synagogue ‐ Application for Membership
Adult #1
______Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc) First name Last name (Birthday)
Married / Single / Divorced / Widowed (Circle one) If divorced, was there a get?______
Home Address:______Street City State Zip
Home Phone:______Personal e‐mail:______
Place of employment:______Occupation:______
Work Phone:______Work e‐mail:______
Cell phone:______
Hebrew Name: ______Kohen /Levi /Yisrael (Circle one)
Parents’ Hebrew Names: ______
If Applicable:
Date and Place of Conversion:______
Name of Rabbi: ______Synagogue Name & Location: ______
Date of Marriage:______
Adult #2
______Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc) First name Last name (Birthday)
Have you ever been divorced? ______If so, was there a get?______
Place of employment:______Occupation:______
Work Phone:______Work e‐mail:______
Cell phone:______Personal e‐mail:______
Hebrew Name (If applicable): ______Kohen /Levi /Yisrael (Circle one)
Parents’ Hebrew Names: ______
If Applicable:
Date and Place of Conversion:______
Name of Rabbi: ______Synagogue Name & Location: ______CHILDREN INFORMATION:
Child's Name Hebrew Name (including parents) Birth date
1.______
2.______
3.______
4.______
If child's last name, address and/or phone number are different from that of member, please indicate:
Name______
Address______
Phone______E‐mail: ______
If child is away at college, please indicate:
Name______
College______
Address______
Phone______E‐mail: ______
Hebrew School: Additional Information will be sent to you if you check this area.
______Kindergarten ‐ 2nd Grade meet Sundays 10 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m.
______3rd ‐ 7th Grade meet Sundays: 10 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays: 4:30 ‐ 6:15 p.m.
______8th ‐ 10th Grade (Midrasha) meet Thursdays: 6 ‐ 8 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
Previous Synagogue/Temple affiliations:______
Yahrzeit Information
Deceased Relationship Who Observes Date of Death ______
______
______
______
______
Participation is part of membership at Beth Shalom Synagogue. Which committees or activity might either of you (or your children) be interested in serving on? Please indicate which member is interested in each committee.
Committee Adult #1 Adult #2 Social committee ______Ritual committee ______Youth committee ______Chevra Kadisha ______Cemetery committee ______Membership committee ______Library committee ______Adult Education committee ______House committee ______Fundraising committee ______Outreach (Hesed) committee ______Global Concerns (Tikun Olam) ______Bulletin committee ______Intermarriage committee ______
Please indicate activities you would be interested in becoming involved in:
Leading Services ______Sunday Adult Seminar ______Sisterhood ______Kadima (youth group‐5th‐8th grade) ______Social Action ______Hebrew school teaching ______Daily minyan ______Torah reading ______Outreach/volunteer work ______Shabbat Greeter ______High Holidays ______Music & Choir ______Adult Education ______Other (please list):______
Do you have any other skills or interests which you would be interested in sharing with the community? ______
______The Beth Shalom Board of Directors meets on the 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the month. At that time, new members applications are introduced and formally approved for membership.
Please return to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206
For Office Use Only: Date of Introduction to Rabbi: ______Date of Introduction to Board: ______
Dues Deposit Received: $______Check #______Annual Dues: $______
Type of Membership:
_____ Family Membership _____ Single Membership _____ Associate Membership _____ 35 & under Beth Shalom Synagogue Talent Bank
From time to time the synagogue staff or synagogue committees have need for members with particular skills and interests. Please indicate by putting a checkmark the areas in which you are willing to share your knowledge and talents with our congregation.
Category Description Adult #1 Adult #2 Judaic/Calligraphy/Illustration/Kid’s Projects Arts Decorating/Floral Arrangements
Clerical Type/File/Organize/Phone
Computers Programming/Graphics/Desktop/Publishing
Communications Publicity/Media/Facilitating/Newsletter
Event Planning Socials/B’nai Mitzvot/Weddings
Financial Planning/Management/Training/Consulting
Food Cooking/Baking/Set‐up/Special
Hebrew Teach/Read/Torah/Chant
Judaic Knowledge Teach Adult/Religious School/Lead Services
Languages Speak/Read/Understand/Write
Music & Dance Choir/Song Leader/Instrument/ Israeli Dance
Photography People/Events/Nature/Video
Needlework Sew/Knit/Crochet/Needlepoint/Embroidery
Games Bridge, Mah Jongg, Poker
Sports Children’s, intramural, softball, tennis, basketball, golf
Education Degree (s) Major/Minor School (s)____
Adult #1 ______
Adult #2 ______
Employment
Adult #1 ______
Adult #2 ______
Please mail this form with your filled out application for membership.