December 2015 Kislev / Tevet 5776

TEMPLE SINAI ANNUAL GALA, A GREAT SUCCESS

Temple Sinai’s fifth annual Gala, held on October 24th at the Red Rock Resort, was a great success. Everything from the silent auction to the dinner to the live auction to the entertainment was first class. There were many exciting and valuable items available in both auctions and the bidding was lively. The Gala Committee had been working hard for months to secure a wide variety of fabulous auction items, including golf outings, jewelry, guitar lessons, a private wine tasting for 20 people, a one- of-a-kind stained glass menorah, gift certificates for many of the area’s finest restaurants and many, many more extraordinary items. The most spirited bidding of the night took place during the live auction, when ‘Lunch with Rabbi Cohen’ was offered. Although there was only one such certificate, several guests offered to match the winning bid and four additional bidders won duplicate certificates.

The musical entertainment for the evening was provided by Temple Sinai’s fabulous Cantorial Soloist Heather Klein, who performed several pieces, including a Yiddish song, a gypsy aria from an operetta and a musical theater piece from a Marx Brothers movie, and by the multi- talented professional singer, dancer and producer Jeff Leibow. Until recently, Jeff starred as “Nick Massi” in the Las Vegas production of Jersey Boys. They both did a wonderful job of topping off a spectacular and memorable evening.

2

I'm biased but I happen to think Temple Table of Contents Sinai is a great place with amazing people. The thing is, it gets better. I'm writing this on the flight back from Orlando with Les President’s Message………..3 Sherman, our 1st Vice President. We didn't Events……………………..4 go to Florida for Mickey or the parks. We Cantorial Soloist…………...5 went for the Union for Reform Judaism Religious School…………...5 (URJ) Biennial Convention, a gathering of Men’s Club………………...9 Part Of Something 5000 Reform Jews and some of their closest Sisterhood………………..10 friends. Temple Sinai is better, enhanced, Tzedakah...... 14 Greater because of our association with the URJ. Temple News and Notes....15 Imagine bringing in Shabbat with 5000 Life Cycles……….…18 & 19 people, all of whom know similar melodies. Imagine swapping ideas with URJ shuls Life Long Learning……….25 from Vancouver to New Orleans. Imagine being inspired by Israeli Rabbis working in

Reform shuls on the border with the Gaza Strip. Imagine being addressed by top ranking officials of both political parties due to our movement's importance.

Don't ever forget the impact of the URJ on the American landscape. 900 congregations, 1.5 million people. When we speak, folks in D.C. and Jerusalem listen. We are Temple Sinai, Las Vegas, but we are also Temple Sinai plus Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson, plus Temple Sinai in Reno, and so on across North America and around the world through the World Union for Progressive Judaism. In services I was alongside Lea Muhlstein, one of the first ever female Rabbis ordained in Germany. I had dinner with Rabbi Celia Surget who has worked in Paris and London. I had coffee with Rabbi Golan Ben Horin who has worked in Philadelphia and Northern Israel.

The overriding message of the convention was about how our movement should be open, welcoming and kind. Open to non-Jews who are on our periphery, welcoming to Jewish people who not yet been touched by the gorgeous opportunities of Jewish life, kind to our current members who need our loving embrace.

In other words, I return from that convention, as I always do, with broadened horizons, renewed friendships and a soul filled with love and beauty. Never think for a second that we only cover Summerlin or the West part of Vegas. Our reach as Reform Jews extends nationally and globally. That should be a source of excitement and pride. L'shalom/to peace

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen

Picture courtesy of Ryan Reisman

December 2015 3

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen President’s Message [email protected] “Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have. “ Heather Klein Jim Rohn Cantorial Soloist [email protected] We are quickly coming into the season of giving with Chanukah Executive Committee right around the corner. For me, this time provides the Julie Littmann, President [email protected] opportunity to focus on what I can do for others, especially for Les Sherman, 1st Vice President those in need. Every year, Eric and I seek out a family in need [email protected] within the area that he works. We shop and collect donations so Marty Hagans, 2nd Vice President [email protected] we can help with a meal, toys and anything else that that might Ricki Greenspon Treasurer brighten their lives, if only for that one day. I challenge all of our [email protected] congregants to find their own way to do the same and help someone in need. That need Shel Kolner, Recording Secretary may come in the form of emotional support within our own congregation. Unfortunately, [email protected] there have been several congregants that have passed in a short time frame and I urge anyone that knows a family member affected by the recent losses to reach out to them to Trustees Isaac Cohen offer support in any way. Stephanie Helms Jay Kenyon On a lighter note, our congregational dinners have started up again prior to Friday night Mordecai Labovitz Bob Levin services. This is a fantastic, fun avenue to sit, eat and kibbitz with fellow members, further Ilana Shapiro strengthening our relationships with one another. Steve Weiner

Immediate Past President Finally, a reminder about our quarterly town hall meeting scheduled for December 6th, at Rick Hollander 10:00. Please come and find out the latest information and ask questions in an informal,

Sisterhood warm setting. Tina Drago, President [email protected] My door is always open,

Men’s Club Sean Lyttle, President Julie Ann Littmann [email protected] President

Education Director for Temple Sinai and Shenker Academy Dr. Sharon Knafo [email protected] Committees & Chairpersons Temple Office Caring - Laurie Kelman—[email protected] Phil Scully, Executive Director Education – Sharon Knafo – [email protected] [email protected] Fundraising—Jack Klein—[email protected] Marketing & PR – Stephanie Helms – [email protected] Lori Dougherty, Controller Membership – Bob Levin – [email protected] [email protected] Mens Club – Sean Lyttle – [email protected] Kim Israel, Executive Assistant Music – Heather Klein – [email protected] [email protected] Programming—Open Retreat – Jackie & Shel Kolner – [email protected] Lisa Vittallo, Event Co-Ordinator Ritual – Les Gilbert – [email protected] [email protected] Senior Social—Open Sisterhood – Tina Drago – [email protected] Sinai Shofar Kim Israel, Editor Social Action – Robyn Roth & Gail Dupre – [email protected] [email protected] Tzedakah – Shel Kolner – [email protected]

4

Events

Every Friday Night - Shabbat Worship at 7:30pm Tuesday, December 8 6:00pm Fundraising Committee meeting Every Saturday Morning Worship - 10am unless there is 6:15pm Temple Sinai Board Meeting a Bar/Bar Mitzvah, then Torah study precedes morning 6:15pm Sinai Junior Songbirds (Junior Choir) worship at 9:00am Wednesday, December 9 Every Sunday 2:00pm Korean War Veterans meeting 9:30am Religious School 4:30pm Temple Sinai Junior Songbirds @ Downtown Summerlin Every Tuesday 4:30pm Hebrew School/ Confirmation Thursday, December 10 7:00pm Pop-Up Shul Presents: Downtown Lights Every Wednesday 5:30pm Chair Yoga Friday, December 11 5:45pm Cub Scout Meeting 6:00pm Congregational Dinner 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting Saturday, December 12 Every Thursday 10:00am Shabbat Morning Worship including the Bar 6:30pm Mahjong Mitzvah of Aaron Weinberger 6:30pm Choir Rehearsals Sunday, December 13 Tuesday, December 1 9:00am Summer Camp Fair 6:00pm Ritual Meeting 9:30am Religious School / B'nai Mitzvah Family 7:00pm Adult Education: The Story of the Jews Orientation 10:00am Men's Club Breakfast Wednesday, December 2 7:00pm JRT Gala Performance 2:00pm Finance Committee Meeting 7:00pm Retreat Committee meeting Wednesday, December 16 6:30pm Sisterhood Chanukah Party Thursday, December 3 6:30pm Festival Planning Committee Meeting 1:00pm BNC - The Survival of Ashkenazi Jews, Part III 7:00pm Jewish Federation Meeting at Temple Beth Friday, December 18 Sholom 5:45pm Friday Night Live

Friday, December 4 Saturday, December 19 6:15pm Tot Shabbat 6:00pm Shenker Holiday Party

Saturday, December 5 Sunday, December 20 9:30am Summerlin Minion Project service 9:30am No Religious School 10:00am Sisterhood Board Meeting Sunday, December 6 5:00pm Sisterhood Holiday Dance 9:30am Religious School / Chanukah Celebration 10:00am Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, December 23 12:15pm Sinai Junior Songbirds (Junior Choir) 3:00pm Dine Out - Bagel Cafe 7:00pm Choir performance at Opportunity Village Magical Forest

No Religious School over the Winter Break

December 2015 5

From the Desk of Heather Klein Religious School News December is such an exciting @ the Religious School time to be celebrating and around the ones you love. I am Our Chanukah celebration is coming looking forward to some up on December 6, 2015, and our wonderful concerts with the focus this year will be the songs each Adult and Junior choir at grade will sing during our closing as- Downtown Summerlin as part sembly @ 11.30-12.00. We will start of the 8 Crazy Nights with the blessings for lighting the Celebration, Opportunity Chanukkiah by Rabbi Cohen and Village and Tai Chi and a Cantorial Soloist Heather Klein and performance at the Adult Day continue with Seventh Grade- Light Care Center. We are going to be performing a One Candle / Peter Yarrow, Sixth Grade - It’s Chanukah, wonderful mix of songs in different languages and Fifth Grade - Not by Might Not by, Power/ Debbie Fried- genres to create lots of fun for the holiday of Chanukah. man, Fourth Grade - Ocho Kandelikas, Third Grade - Cha- So please come out to these events and support our nukah in Santa Monica / Tom Lehrer, Second Grade - Lots wonderful singers. of , First Grade - Chanukah, O Chanukah, Pre K & Kindergarten - I Have a Little and the traditional Rabbi and I are also getting ready to present another songs if we have time. Our teachers worked with the students Pop-Up Shul at Artifice Bar in the arts district. This will on these songs in the classrooms and Cantorial Soloist be a wonderful event focusing on the idea of light for Heather Klein has rehearsed with each class. Please feel free the 5th night of Chanukah, with Yiddish songs, an Arab to join us as we celebrate Chanukah as a vibrant Religious band with a belly dancer, photography, sufganiot, and School. lots of people celebrating from around the greater Las Special Jewish Summer Camp Presentation Vegas Jewish community. On Sunday 12/13/2015, we will host the second annual An idea that is fun for all ages. I really enjoy going to the JEWISH SUMMER CAMP FAIR. The IAC organization Ethel M Chocolate factory to see the lights on all the will coordinate a special summer camp presentation. Repre- desert landscaping, though it’s on the other side of town, sentatives of 15 Jewish camps from Arizona, California and I think it is a really fun thing to do around this time of more will come to TEMPLE SINAI RELIGIOUS SCHOOL the year. from 9:45am for a special camp fair. Parents are encouraged to visit the booths (Temple Sinai Social Event Center A-B) I hope you take some time at home to make latkes, and receive essential information about the wonderful region- sufganiyot, play dreidl, or if you are like me, just eat al camps. We will have a special Mifgash from 11:20-12:00, some gelt because it’s in a candy dish in front of you at where all camp representatives will talk to the students about your parents’ house. And I hope you do it with an old their own camps. Special raffles and special discounts will be movie starring Gene Kelley. available for those who plan to attend and register for one of these camps during that weekend. In addition to that, Temple Sinai continues to offer scholarship funds for students who will attend Jewish camps for the first time. We will hand out the scholarship forms on that Sunday.

Other fun activities are planned for this special month, and we hope that the children will take the knowledge and experi- ence from our lessons and implement them at home.

Wishing you a Happy Chanukah,

Dr. Sharon Knafo Education Director

6

Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Weinberger

Aaron Lee Weinberger will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Si- nai on Saturday, December 12, 2015.

Aaron Weinberger was born in South Africa and came to U.S. with his fami- ly when he was 4 ½ years old. He has lived in Las Ve- gas ever since.

He currently attends Doral Academy and is in the 7th Grade. His favorite subjects are Math and Science. Aaron has always loved Science and has won two Science Fair Awards (First and Second place). He loves physics, in particular theoretical and quantum physics. He enjoys forming his own theories, calculations and diagrams as well as questioning Einstein’s theory of general relativity! He would like to become an astronomer or physicist one day.

He is pictured here holding a small battery powered de- vice that you place in water to separate oxygen and hydro- gen. This is just one of his small daily experiments! Aaron also likes technology and anything related to it.

For his Bar Mitzvah project Aaron will be collecting and donating toys to those less fortunate, which goes hand in hand with the theme of his Torah passage. He will be placing a donation bin in the foyer of the Temple and all donations from the congregation are greatly appreciated.

Aaron’s parents, Heather & Mark, as well as his brother Joshua, are very proud of Aaron and are looking forward to seeing what amazing new theories he will come up with in the future!

December 2015 7

Wishing all our Congregants a very Happy Chanukah

Barbara and Mort Berg Marcia and Ivan Lambert Dorothy and Mitch Cohen Eileen and Bob Levin Jim Dixon Anita Lewy The Drago Family Julie, Eric, Danielle and Joseph Littmann Phyllis and Marty Feigenson Lucie and Mark Sample Rick and Howard Greenspon Suzy Schucker The Helms Family Rona and Larry Schwartz Donna and Rick Hollander Eileen and Les Sherman The Kenyon Family Gabi and Howard Silverman Jackie and Shel Kolner Ilana, David, Matthew, Arianna and Talia Carolyn and Mark Kosowsky Shapiro

A Happy Birthday To Our Son Alan on Dec 9th

A Happy Chanukah To The Bernsteins And All Our Temple Mishpuchah Myron and Phyllis

8

December 2015 9

From Your Men’s Club

Don’t Let the Light Go Out!

for all we believe in / That anger not tear us apart / And light one candle to find us together / With peace as the song in our hearts / Don’t let the light go out…” – Peter, Paul & Mary.

It’s almost time to ring in 2016, but before that, we remember the triumph of the in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, and we pause for a few moments on eight nights to bask in the peaceful glow of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. As a convert to Judaism, I don’t miss decorating a tree this time of year, but I admit it: I do sometimes miss singing the songs of a different holiday I grew up celebrating. I’ve fallen in love with Chanukah and its traditions, but let’s face it: there just aren’t many great Chanukah songs! One notable exception is Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Light One Candle”, quoted above.

Over the last few months, the news has been replete with stories that make it feel like the cause of peace in our world is, like the Maccabees of the Chanukah story, facing an insurmountable challenge. In our own country, race relations are strained, political rhetoric is nasty, and we seem to be gripped by an epidemic of gun violence. Abroad, we read about the growing influence of terror groups in the Middle East, a refugee crisis in Europe, and the streets of Paris stained with blood. In Israel, knives have replaced suicide bombs as the weapon of choice. Hearing all of this news, it’s tough not to get angry, disheartened, or both. However, the message of Chanukah compels us to remain ever hopeful, to light candles of faith that peace and justice can and will prevail.

This Chanukah, don’t let the light of peace and renewal go out. As the song reminds us, it has lasted for so many years, sustaining us from generation to generation. The Men’s Club of Temple Sinai wishes you Chag Chanukah Sameach, and a Happy New Year.

Kol Tuv,

Sean Lyttle

10

From Your Sisterhood Happy Chanukah.

I hope everyone is ready for the Holiday Season! This is my first year with no kids in the house and I have a BUNCH of mixed emotions. I am proud my young men are confident enough to be independent, yet worry I won’t be close enough if they need me. They keep telling me I did a good job raising them, but if I really did a good job why would they Tot Shabbat want to leave me? I find myself biting my tongue when I really want to know what they have been up to and if they Friday, January 1st are making smart choices. Instead I listen to their stories 6:15 PM to 6:45 PM with interest and try not to get caught interrogating. I asked them both to tell me what they need for Chanukah, Bring your little ones, ages 1-5 but get pat answers like “your confidence”, “your for a lovely service just for kids (and their parents)! happiness”, and “microwavable meals.” I am sure Paul and I will figure out what to do with our independence as time goes on, but for now it just seems too quiet in the house.

Sisterhood Pot-Luck Chanukah Party will be at my home Wednesday December 16th. We will be once again collecting gift cards for the Rabbi’s discretionary fund. Please see the flyer for more details.

The Sisterhood’s Gift Shop is OPEN during Temple Hours of Operation. Please contact the office to peruse the goods! The Gift Shop has weekly shipments for Chanukah gift giving and will special order (allow 6 weeks) and as always they OFFER INVITATIONS for any celebration and SPECIAL ORDERS! Get your Bar/Bat Mitzvah shopping done in one convenient location!

Sisterhood is always looking for fun-loving conscientious ladies to join the fun. Contact Marge Nordell for more information at [email protected]. As always, any women who are members of Temple Sinai are welcome to join the Sisterhood.

Shalom, Tina Drago

December 2015 11

December 2015 13

What’s ahead in our Torah?

December 4-5 Vayeshev Jacob favors his son Joseph over his brothers. Joseph is sold into slavery. Our 400 years in Egypt begin. Joseph rebuffs Potiphar’s wife and is thrown in jail.

December 11-12 Miketz (Shabbat Chanukah) Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and ascends to a position of great powers. Joseph marries and has two sons, Manas- seh and Ephraim. When his brothers come to Egypt to buy food, Joseph withholds his identity and demands to see Benjamin.

December 18-18 Vayigash Judah pleads for Benjamin’s release. Joseph reveals himself and forgives his brothers. Jacob comes to Egypt, is welcomed by Pharaoh, and set- tles in Goshen and thrives in Egypt.

December 25-26 Vayechi Jacob ‘blesses’ his sons. Jacob is buried in Hebron in the cave of the field of the Machpelah The Children of Israel promise Joseph that they will take his bones with them when they leave Egypt. Temple Sinai’s Ritual Committee

14

Tzedakah

The Eitz Tzedakah…the Tree of Donations which delineates many opportunities for making donations to the Temple. Please contact Shel Kolner at 702-334-8914 with any questions.

The Tree of Donations Donation Tributes $8.00 Tributes Listed in the Shofar $18.00 Birthday/Anniversary/Yahrzeits Various-no minimum Monthly ad in Shofar $15.00 + Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship $18.00 E-blast Monthly Sponsorship $18.00 Honey Sales (Rosh Hashanah) $10.00 Note Card Bundle of 7 $36.00 Tree of Life Leaves $150.00 Tree of Life Pebbles $225.00 Pavers (See below) $118.00 Bima Flowers $200.00 Memorial Plaque - Member $400.00 Memorial Plaque - Non-member $500.00 Reserved Memorial Plaque Add $60.00 Oneg Shabbat Sponsorship $400.00 Sustainability Campaign Contact Julie Littmann

Announcing Dedication Pavers

Pavers are customized bricks which can be used to honor special occasions as well as your friends and family whose names will be placed in the decorative walkway in our courtyard next to the Hebrew School classrooms. Please note, they are not intended as memorials since people will be walking on them.

Pavers are 7 1/8” by 3 1/4 inch and may contain up to 3 lines of engraving, with 16 characters per line including spaces.

A donation of $118 for each custom paver is required.

Please call the office or Shel Kolner at 702-334-8914 to order and arrange payment.

December 2015 15

Personal Tribute Cards

Have you seen the personal tribute cards? If not, they are available in our Sisterhood Gift Shop. Please stop and take a look. These cards match our standard tribute cards but are used to send personal notes. They allow you to convey your personal sentiments to family and friends while still indicating to them that a donation was made in their honor to the Temple Sinai General Fund. The cards are available in 7-packs for $36.00. They are also available by calling Dorothy Cohen (702-228-7040) or Phyllis Feigenson (973-525-7799). Talk to the ladies or stop in at the Gift Shop. You will be happy you did.

GET THAT w/TUTORING by DUPRE’ Reading, Eng., Soc. St., & Studying Skills 757-375-0732/[email protected] $25.00/hr.

Please ask for Gail Dupre' (M.S.Ed.)

16

December 2015 17

18

Advertising and Sponsorship Anniversaries Sarah & Sidney Barouch 12/3 2nd Anniversary An easy way to help support your Temple is by Sybil & Stewart Stenzel 12/3 49th Anniversary utilizing our advertising and sponsorship pro- Apryl & Sean Lyttle 12/10 4th Anniversary Elaine & Benny Ruda 12/21 10th Anniversary grams. Robyn & Bruce Roth 12/24 18th Anniversary Kim & Sydney Israel 12/26 14th Anniversary Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship - For just $18 Nancy & Joel Shinder 12/27 40th Anniversary Gail & Alan Schlossberg 12/30 20th Anniversary your personal messages are displayed in the fly- Ilana & David Shapiro 12/30 25th Anniversary er Sponsor in honor of your anniversary or Lorraine & Archie Weitman 12/30 64th Anniversary birthday. This may be coordinated with Oneg Shabbat sponsorships or Bema Flower sponsor- ships.

To place your ad contact Shel Kolner at 702-228-4744 or 702-334-8914 or [email protected].

Please Welcome our New Members

Daniel Samavat Georgia & Larry Ober Esta Klatzkin

December 2015 19

Adam Reisman 12/1 Dana Malek 12/12 Ron Minuskin 12/22 Nancy Weinstein 12/3 Kenneth Berman 12/13 Aden Gewelber-Williams 12/22 Gwen Basinger 12/3 Renato Ritter 12/13 Kim Israel 12/23 Birthdays Mark White 12/4 Morton Friedlander 12/14 Jeffrey Richardson 12/23 Risa Zucker 12/4 Ellery Armstrong 12/15 Herb White 12/23 Madison Bahel 12/5 Annette Alexander 12/15 Phyllis Eisenberg-Helfer 12/25 Elvin Kranen 12/5 Fred Wasser 12/16 Eileen (Bellsey) Levin 12/26 Albert Lobel 12/6 Mark Sample 12/16 Dee Glick 12/26 Arthur Greenberg 12/6 Franklin Wax 12/18 Carl Burlin 12/26 Limor Minuskin 12/6 Nancy Koppe 12/18 Stacey Roter 12/27 Martin Fessler 12/7 Ira Sirulnick 12/19 Jacob Roiter 12/27 Evan Ritter 12/8 Jerry Springberg 12/19 Isaac Heck 12/27 Alan Bernstein 12/9 Mateos Perez 12/19 Peter Lewis 12/27 Susan Rhodes 12/9 Aaron Weinberger 12/19 Stephen Glucoft 12/27 Melissa Goldberg 12/9 George Bagwin 12/20 Aliya Epstein 12/28 Steven Pariser 12/9 Ellen Glaz 12/20 Ivan Lambert 12/29 Gabriel Katz 12/9 Christian Foca 12/21 Antonia Heilman 12/30 Elize Itkis 12/10 Linda White 12/21 Alan Toban 12/30 Todd Steinberg 12/11 Melissa Kegan 12/22 Marshall Everakes 12/31 Aliyah Cohen 12/12 Larry Ober 12/22 Sloane Lachman 12/31 Melissa Kegan 12/22 Dyana Duman 12/31

Rose Friedland 12/1 Addy Garcia 12/11 Henrietta Gursky 12/22 Mark Breslerman 12/1 Helen Frankoff 12/11 Isadore Kosowsky 12/22 Robert Farkas 12/1 Felicia Stevens 12/11 Shelly Apelman 12/22 Sandy Glass 12/2 Pearl Berman 12/11 Sherwin Shayne 12/23 Toby Handelman 12/2 Leon Toban 12/11 Abe Solomon 12/23

Toby Handelman 12/2 Nathan Epstein 12/12 Stephanie Ginsburg 12/23 Yahrzeits Louis Gateman 12/2 Herman Broselow 12/13 Faye Schlossberg 12/23 William Stolzenberg 12/2 Harry Malone 12/13 Annie Cohen 12/24 Lillian Rogan 12/3 Harry Malone 12/13 Harry Unell 12/25 Ann Parness 12/3 Richard Branton 12/13 Irwin Heck 12/25 Sharon Nicholson 12/4 Shalom Goldstein 12/14 Helen Kohl 12/25 Sally Brin 12/4 Erika Wolpert 12/14 Irwin Heck 12/25 Morton Orzen 12/4 Rose Linder 12/14 Morris Loeff 12/25 Simon Niekerk 12/5 Murlene Whelan 12/14 Julius Lipstein 12/26 Fran Goldfarb 12/6 Irwin Sirota 12/15 Faye Schlossberg 12/26 Sid Saphire 12/6 Peter Haberkorn 12/16 Sam Hassin 12/26 Helen Zelkowitz 12/6 Byrde Coleman 12/16 Lillian Cole 12/27 Harry Goldberg 12/6 Beatrice Rudnick 12/16 Lily Schilling 12/27 William Edmond 12/9 Bernie Tama 12/16 Rose Klein 12/28 David Safdeye 12/9 Julius Lipman 12/17 Laura Brewer 12/28 Dorothy Herschberg 12/9 Arnold Horowitz 12/18 Edward Rogers 12/29 Pauline Rogow 12/10 Louis Pesekow 12/18 Eva Patzik 12/29 Marilyn Schlossberg 12/11 Blanche Warren 12/19 Miriam Steiner 12/29 Sylvia Landun-Sassoon 12/11 Sam Nasberg 12/19 Joseph Garfinkel 12/29 Minna Levy 12/11 Sanford Rich 12/20 Sylvia Sunshine 12/30 Paul Bodner 12/11 Stella Bernstein 12/20 Maynard Kully 12/30 Paul Bodner 12/11 Leah Weisenberger 12/20 Hyman Bloom 12/30 Lawrence Sabath 12/11 Elsa Weinberger 12/21 Sophie Kenyan 12/31 Marion Sternfels 12/31

20

December 2015 21

Donations

General Donations Building Fund Mr. and Mrs. Sid Blum IMO Larry Kublin Ms. Sara Bagwin Mr. and Mrs. Sid Blum IMO Lou Arin Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Berger Ms.Anita Feinstein for the Camp Scholarship Mr. and Mrs. Les Gilbert Ms. Constance Finnerman IMO Patrise Finnerman Mr. and Mrs. Brian Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Frankoff Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kase Ms. Gay Goldstein IHO J Rogan Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lachman Mr. Robert Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Robert Levin Mr. and Mrs. Ian Hassin IMO Harry Brody Ms. Pamela Joy Ring Mrs. Carolyn Kosowsky IHO Mark Kosowsky's Birthday Mr. Michael Schilling Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kosowsky IMO Rae Engel Ms. Charlotte Kuklin IHO Mr Rogow Ms. Anita Lewy IMO Lou Arin Richard Greenberg Memorial Fund Ms. Anita Lewy IMO Otto Lewy Ms. Ruth Roth IHO Harry Kelman's Birthday Ms. Marge Nordell IMO Lena Zirinsky Ms. Marge Nordell Mr. and Mrs. Joe Premack IMO Lou Arin Mr. and Mrs. Joe Premack IHO Jackie & Shel Kolner Kol Nidre Appeal Granddaughter's Wedding Ms. Ellen Bodner Mr. and Mrs. Alan Toban IMO Ruth Kamensky Mr. and Mrs. David Herschberg Ms. Risa Zucker IMO Max Narby Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lipman Mr. and Mrs. Mark Snyder

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Religious School Fund Ms. Ellen Bodner Mr. Sanford Bettleman IHO the twins birth Andrew & Ms. Anita Lewy Lauren Mr. and Mrs. Jason Spindler Mr. and Mrs. Jason Spindler

Endowment Fund Cantorial Soloist Fund Mrs. Myrna Brown Ms. Anita Lewy Mr. And Mrs. Issac Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Paul Drago Mr. and Mrs. Richard Frankoff Marsha Genard and Vera Ginsburg Mr. and Mrs. Les Gilbert Mr. and Mrs. Rick Hollander Mr. Ronald Israel Mr. And Mrs. Robert Levin Mr. and Mrs. Eric Littmann Mr. and Mrs. Howard Silverman

All donations received after the tenth of the month will be included in next month's publication

22

Youth Group is Happening!

Ahhh, December in Vegas boasts some of the best winter weather in the world so this month, the Temple Sinai youth group is heading outdoors for a hiking experience in Red Rock Canyon on December 19th. For information or to volunteer as a chaperone, contact me at either [email protected] or (702) 600-1470. Look for flyers and announcements made in the weekly events emails.

Looking further ahead to February, we have a winter retreat scheduled for the weekend of February 12th. This will take place at Mt. Potosi where we have reserved the cabins at the Kimball Boy Scout Camp for our youth group. This will be a great indoor/outdoor experience for our teens.

Speaking of Boy Scouts, our Temple Sinai Troop 770 has been actively supporting our synagogue. In October they represented Temple Sinai and won 4th place at the annual JCC BBQ Cook Off and in November, they served as Honor Guard for Lt. Governor Mark Hutchinson at the Men’s Club breakfast meeting.

Shalom,

Brian Williams Youth Group Director & Scoutmaster [email protected] Social Action Committee

Chanukah is almost here and so is the conclusion of the Giving Tree's 3rd Annual project to benefit Jewish families in need this holiday season. I wish we could see the smiles on the children's faces when they open their gifts! Tikun Olam is our commandment to save the world. We may not be able to save the whole world but we can certainly help make a life a little easier. Cards are still hanging on the tree. Please stop by and fulfill a wish for a child or donate a grocery card for one of the 18 families we have adopted this Chanukah. Thank you to all of you caring members of Temple Sinai and friends who have so generously given.

December 2015 23

Temple Sinai Men’s Club Monthly Breakfast

We thank our November speaker Nevada Lt. Governor Mark Hutchinson.

Mark your calendars for our December 13th Breakfast Our speaker will be former Nevada Representative Shelley Berkley

24

December 2015 25

Lifelong Learning At Temple Sinai Temple Sinai is a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish community engaged in lifelong learning, social justice, and soulful worship.

Lifelong Learning (Torah) – Wherever you find yourself, we want to help you get to the next stage of your Jewish journey. We offer formal and informal opportunities for learners to find genuine meaning and answers to keenly felt moral questions and per- sonal issues within the Jewish tradition.

You will notice that we have a wonderful range of events from stand-alone events to three-session mini-courses to a two-year in- depth study. For this congregation, the social experience of learning is extremely important alongside the content of our study. We hope that you will deepen your connections to our heritage and each other as you move to the next stage of your journey.

L’shalom/To Peace Rabbi Malcolm Cohen

Conversion Class Contact Rabbi Cohen at [email protected] or (702) 254-5110 if you are considering converting to Juda- ism.

Sisterhood & Men’s Club Both of these groups work within the synagogue to provide fascinating speakers and educational events.

Senior Committee This committee will connect you with learning opportunities around the valley. Look for their events through our communications.

Religious School and Youth Group Our Religious school offers formal and informal learning opportunities for young people from pre-kindergarten age through High School. For more information, please contact the Temple office. Tuition

$575 K - 2nd Grade $720 3rd - 7th Grade $460 8th - 12th Grade Discount for Each Additional Child (after the first) $50.

Saturday Morning Torah Study Sessions Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:30 am in the Small Shul. Shabbat Morning services enhanced by a stimulating Torah study session held during the service. All are wel- come. No RSVP required. If there is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, then Torah Study begins at 9:00am.

Social Media Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @templesinailv

26

December 2015 27

28