The Shofar December, 2017 Congregation House of 13 Kislev - 13 Tevet, 5778

Sunday, December 10, 5:00 p.m. Burgauer Hall $10.00 per adult CHI Member and Guests Children and Guest Children of Members 18 and under FREE Non-members - $20.00 per adult Non-member children $10.00 per child

Please plan on joining us for our annual Hanukkah If you are bringing guests please include payment for Party. We will begin with entertainment from our them in your check and pay the congregation price. religious school and then move on to Chicken, Salad and Latkes for dinner with dessert to follow. This year We need an accurate count so we can provide the Sisterhood is taking care of providing the meal so proper amount of food so please have you check in by please just show up and enjoy yourselves. Please send Friday, December 1. Your check is your reservation. your checks made out to Sisterhood to:

Ruth Sedler 152 Blue Heron Drive Hot Springs AR 71913 The Shofar Thank You Published monthly by: Congregation House of Israel We would like to thank the following donors for PO Box 20802 their contributions (as of November 20, 2017) 300 Quapaw Hot Springs, AR 71903 General Fund Donations in loving memory of Stuart Klompus (501) 623-5821 Barbara Morgan Betty and Louis Kleinman Website: http://hschi.org Brian and Torie Waxler Carla and Joe Mouton Editor: Shelly Kleinman Carli Waxler Baker and Chris Baker Webmaster: Shelly Kleinman Carol and Shelly Kleinman Charlie and Linda Padgham Editorial Assistance: Anita Williams Diana and Les Surfas Email to: [email protected] Hal and Sue Koppel Submissions due the 15th of the prior Harriett and Imy Marcus month. Distributed free to members, Jenny Wallace prospective members, local clergy and other Jerry Tanenbaum interested parties. Julie and Chuck Jerrell Karen, Nir and Zohar Lavi Kenneth and Annette Baim Karen Holcomb Kermit and Mary Ann Tucker In honor of the B’nai Mitzvah of Tillie and Louis Reagler Kim and Yossi Baron Larry and Peggy Stanley Carol and Shelly Kleinman Laura and Stu Rubens In loving memory of Alyce Brand, sister of Carol Marilyn and Harvey Lebson Kleinman Michael and Sharon Waxler In honor of Karen Baim Reagler and Sherrill Ross and Ruth Sedler Nicolosi receiving of the Tikun Olam Reward Steven and Clarissa Kirsch Stuart and Kay Fleischner In loving memory of Lila Chapin, mother of Sue and Arnold Kohn Richard Chapin Thea and Bob Mathis Louis and Betty Kleinman Vincent and Lee Opromolla In loving memory of Lila Chapin, mother of Wayne and Helen Ball Rabbi Richard Chapin Sharon Waxler Kim and Yossi Baron In loving memory of Ada Litwack In loving memory of Lila Chapin, mother of Rabbi Richard Chapin Gary L. Brown In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Cooper Jack Bull Ruth and Ross Sedler In loving memory of Rosalind Goltz Hudson In loving memory of Lila Chapin, mother of Rabbi Richard Chapin Barbara Morgan In loving memory of Bob “Sody” Arnold, Steven and Clarissa Kirsch husband of Lori Arnold In loving memory of Mark Spitzer Dennis and Anita Williams In loving memory of Leland H. Williams, father of Dennis Williams Building Fund In loving memory of Joyce B. Boswell, mother of Dennis and Anita Williams Anita Williams For work on the sanctuary

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Page PB overseeing 30 Israelis between the ages of 19-25, who were general counselors and specialists. I was ARZA - World Union also in charge of Israeli programming at camp. A big difference for me between the two summers My Open Heart is Leading Me was that last summer I was getting to know the on an Unending Journey Reform Movement as a stranger. This summer, I returned as someone who had made a conscious By Ella Steiner decision to be there as a Reform Jew. I could teach and focus the sh’lichim on Reform , just as I needed that focus a year ago, all of which made I began by looking for a place to study Judaism. I me realize that I had found a true home in the knew I wanted to do it my way – in an environment Reform Movement. that wouldn’t intimidate me, but would challenge me by allowing me to grow as I figured out my place During 2017, I worked with and educators in the Jewish world. Having been raised as a secular who opened my mind and showed me how many Israeli, I had, after my army duty, experienced good people we have in the Reform Movement, briefly the National Orthodox movement through people with vision who are doing amazing work, one a boyfriend who was deeply involved in that world. more awe-inspiring than the next. I watched as the This experience helped me begin my religious new sh’lichim went through a process like the one I journey. Then, I went to OSRUI and discovered went through the summer before – arriving at camp Reform Judaism – yet another way to be Jewish. with antagonism and disrespect toward religion and I found something of interest in each of these ending up at a place of respect and engagement. three directions, but I also had a lot of questions. I realized, that no matter where I turned, I would Now, I am beginning my studies at Hebrew find someone who would show me Judaism through University, and I am curious to see where this their eyes. I needed to find a Judaism that I could path will lead me. But I am not leaving the see with my own eyes. world of sh’lichut; I will continue working at the Jewish Agency, winnowing out a new cohort of sh’lichim for next summer. So, I looked for a place to study Judaism in the most neutral manner, ending up at Ein Prat, an As I do this work, I continually ask myself Israeli midrasha (institute for study) for secular numerous questions: How can we leverage and religious Jews, with men and women studying the amazing reality that hundreds of Judaism in a pluralistic fashion. I was surprised to other sh’lichim and I are exposed to in North find among the other students many with a similar America each year and return it to Israel? experience – sh’lichim (emissaries) from a variety How can we build on the tremendous passion of American summer camps who returned to Israel of sh’lichim who experience summer camp in North also searching for a way to maintain the process America and then return to Israel? How can we that they began in America. There, I recognized my raise up this energy instead of letting it fade? How desire to be a sh’licha, like a reflex. For instance, can we maintain the activism and enthusiasm we someone who became one of my closest friends had at summer camp so that all of us can be part of grew up in Efrat as an Orthodox Jew, but after a vibrant Reform Jewish future in Israel? learning about the Reform experience from me, she became intrigued and today worships at a Reform congregation in . Along with There is a Hebrew saying I learned during my first another sh’liach, who was in a Reform camp in year at camp and now is always in my heart: “Let Boston, I sang Birkat HaMazon, the blessing after my feet lead me to the place that my heart loves. meals, to the non-Reform Jews among us, which Open my heart to love the place that my feet go.” led to fascinating conversations about what we This is the journey I am on, an unexpected one for discovered in Reform Judaism. Suddenly, Israelis sure, but I can’t wait to see where my open heart who grew up without knowing anything about leads me. Reform Judaism were intrigued. This past summer, I returned to OSRUI as rosh mishlachat, the head of the Israeli delegation,

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Page PB Reform Leader Beaten at Life and Legacy Plan The sky was cloudless when the group gathered in Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a the of Jerusalem on Thursday morning to celebration of devotion, determination, celebrate the ordination of four new Reform rabbis. bravery, and miracles. The story of the But when they tried to enter the Western Wall rededication of the Holy Temple, and the complex, security guards physically accosted them, military victories of Judah and the Macabees, attempting to keep them from bringing Torahs onto remind us each year that the legacy of Jews the main plaza. lives on, generation after generation. In the ensuing chaos, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president The Life and Legacy Plan is a partnership of the Union for Reform Judaism, the largest Jewish among CHI, JFAR, and the Harold Grinspoon denomination in the United States, was nearly Foundation, whose purpose is to promote and maced. Another rabbi was thrown to the ground. A ensure the great legacies of the Jewish people student of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute will continue. L & L is asking congregants of Religion was struck in the head and required and friends of the Congregation to support the medical attention. plan to “ensure Jewish tomorrows.” The episode was the latest clash among security This is done by signing a “Letter of Intent”- guards, ultra-Orthodox men and non-Orthodox a pledge- to make a future, after-life groups at Judaism’s holiest site. The rabbinic commitment to include CHI (and/or our other authority that controls the Western Wall gives Central Arkansas Jewish Congregations and out Torahs to visiting groups that follow its organizations) as a beneficiary in your Will, rules, like not letting women touch the scrolls. In Trust, life insurance policy, Annuity, IRA, protest, groups like and other or any other form of post-death gifting. NO Conservative and Reform contingents bring their MONEY IS REQUESTED NOW! There are own, leading to increasingly violent showdowns. no minimums, and no contracts to sign. “Today was a joyful day, it was a milestone, and it A monetary incentive grant of $5,000 is was marred by the aggressive, violent response from available to CHI if L & L receives 18 new the guards,” Jacobs said. “Letters” by March, 2018. CHI recently received the first of the two incentive grant According to multiple witnesses, a security guard checks from JFAR. Time is quickly running held a can of mace inches from Jacobs’s face and out for L & L to secure the balance of the new threatened to spray him with it. “Letters, to receive the final grant money. Earlier this month, rabbis protesting the rules Please contact one of our L & L team against egalitarian services were pulled to the members to join the effort to promote our ground by Haredi men trying to rob them of their Jewish legacies, and maintain a presence in our Torahs. Israel’s Supreme Court issued a ruling this community for generations to come. To sign a week questioning why security forces at the Wall are Letter of Intent, contact Karen Baim Reagler, not doing more to protect non-Orthodox workers. Sherrill Nicolosi. Stuart Fleischner, or Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, a Haredi rabbi who serves as Chapin. the overseer of the Western Wall and other religious sites, could not be reached for comment.

He has called the actions of groups like the URJ and Women of the Wall a “plague” and incitement to a “civil war.”

Thursday’s altercation came during day-long Continued on page 9

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Page PB Everything about him was tied up with being a Ellis Stuart Klompus pilot. As a boy and even today, I remain astounded By Ben Klompus by the fact that over the course of his career, he spent tens of thousands of hours safely hurling Ben Klompus is the son of Stuart Klompus. This eulogy himself and hundreds of thousands of people was delivered during the Memorial Service on Monday, through the atmosphere all over the world. He was November 6, at Congregation House of Israel. among the best at what he did and would regularly remind us of how the skills that he developed as a pilot made him above average at executing life with You all know that dad would be incredibly tremendous precision and clarity. aggravated by all of this…the suits, the ties, the flowers, the shortage of parking outside, the He would cite “cat like general tumult…old people are pilot reflexes” as the reason sickening, he would say. he could consistently beat me in ping pong. He And let me say this. This is the would plan the precise hardest thing that I have ever time that we needed to done. leave the house to go get the oil changed in the Today, we say goodbye, and car. Whenever I returned thank you, to my dad, Ellis home, he’d usher me into Stuart Klompus, a beloved the office to show me the spouse, a devoted father, an “emergency checklist” endeared brother, a dear friend that would provide a road who has made our lives richer map for how to deal with because of his presence in it. the unexpected. In fact, in the last few days, mom And as hard it is to say goodbye and I realized that he to dad, I feel joy looking out amended this checklist with at my children, all 99 of them, additional details that were Simon, Noah, James, Eamon, high on his mind: – no joke- and Gavin who I love, just as “remember to clean the fervently as my dad loved me. grill” was a bullet point. And, boys, you should know, as Seriously. hard as this is…this is the way it is supposed to be. As I think about what my dad taught me, I am You see, Dad lived a blessed life of almost 79 years reminded of two scrolls that I have kept in my on this planet. He was born to Estelle and Alan backpack for many years that remind me of my Klompus on December 31, 1938…a time when the dad. These scrolls come from Rabbi Simcha Bunem minimum wage was 25 cents an hour, the average who was known to carry two slips of paper with cost of a new house was $3,900, unemployment him at all times…on one of which he wrote “for my rose to almost 19%, racial and religious persecution sake the world was created.” On the other he wrote was the norm, and with WWII and the holocaust “I am but dust and ashes.” In these two scrolls we around the corner, the world was ushering in what are asked to simultaneously hold two seemingly would become one of the most tragic world events contradictory world outlooks. in human history. For a guy who we all came to rely on to fix our computers it is easy to forget that he Dad lived as if the world was created for him. He was born a damn long time ago. grabbed life by the horns and made it what he wanted. With my mom, he found a one of a kind While most of us probably think that he’s been partner. With his profession, he often remarked retired since then…we all know the role that his that he couldn’t believe he actually got paid to do profession, as a pilot, played in shaping his identity what he loved every day. As a dad, he gave my sister – as a parent, as a friend, a spouse, and as a father. and I a life that I, as a dad, am finding out is really hard to replicate. Travel the world, mess about

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Page PB in boats, play sports, go to camp, make art, make music, pursue an education, build a career that you Since the last time I think I was at this bemah was too can’t believe you get paid to do. my Bar Mitzvah, I think it is only appropriate to end with a blessing. Please repeat after me: And beyond the hubris that it takes to believe that the world was created for him, he also lived as if he May the life of this good, unique, and loving man, were nothing more than dust and ashes. Our lives Stuart Klompus could change in a moment, he would say. Assume the best but plan for the worst. Our health is all • Give us the foresight to make it to each we really have. Affirmed by my sister’s untimely appointment on time sickness and his own brave acceptance of his own mortality, he reminds us that the giant countdown • Give us the knowledge to take care of our clock in the sky does not stand still for anyone. own boats, arrange our own flights, lock our own doors, and manage our own air And this is what I think led him to achieve what conditioning. may be the longest and most successful retirement of anyone I know. For the past 26 years, he lived • Give us the belief in ourselves to believe that as if each day were his last…staying nowhere we can change the world for more than two weeks, circling the globe with mom to nurture close friendships, see new things, • Give us the strength to live every day as if and become deeply woven into the fabric of his were our last children’s and grand children’s lives. Dad, I’m going to miss you. Thank you for being Boys, your tutu loved you more than you will ever exactly who you were. know. Janine, dad could not be more proud of who you are and what add to our family. Melissa – your own bravery fighting cancer gave dad the strength to do the same. Glen – my dad loved you for the way that you love my sister. And mom…oh mom… he knew he had it good with you. With you as his partner, his life was made richer a thousand times. The love you had for each other is a beacon for us all to reach towards.

For all of you, friends and family of dad, thank you. Thank you for your friendship to my dad. The trips, the dinner parties, the cruises, the endless banter back and forth over text, served to fill dad with joy. For those of us who have lived in Hot Springs and elsewhere know how unique the friendships are in this room. Its been 22 years since I moved away; I still don’t think this kind of thing exists anywhere else.

On behalf of dad, I ask us to pause, and reflect on three questions he has had me consider for some time.

• Are you doing what you love?

• Are you surrounded by who you love?

• What are you going to accomplish today to answer yes with even more conviction tomorrow?

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Page PB Congregation House of Israel Thank you to the following for sponsoring an Oneg Board of Directors during the month of December: Rabbi Richard Chapin 501-623-5821 [email protected] Dec 1 Yossi and Kim Baron Dennis Williams, President Oded Grenman 870-230-3529 Dec 8 David and Glenda Kirsch [email protected] Michael and Sharon Waxler Hal Koppel, Treasurer Dec 15 Stuart and Kay Fleischner 501-525-3238 Ira and Stephanie Kleinman [email protected]

Barbara Morgan Dec 22 Goltz Girls and Cooper Jack Bull 501- 767-1459 [email protected] Dec 29 Dennis and Anita Williams Kathy Klein Millie Baron, Sisterhood Reminder: If you are scheduled for an upcom- 501-538-6619 ing Oneg and need to change dates, please find [email protected] someone to switch with and then let Ruth Sedler Ira Kleinman know so the information printed in the bulletin 501-520-1323 will be correct. [email protected]

Ruth Sedler 806-789-9362 [email protected] Refuah Shelemah David D. Reagler 870-208-4495 The following people are in our thoughts and [email protected] prayers:

Patti Fleischner • Barbara Schlesinger 501-262-1198 • Angie Tollefson [email protected] • Louis Kleinman David Kirsch • JoAnne Reagler 281-458-2655 • Ken Baim [email protected] • Rabbi Mark Miller • Imy Marcus Jerry Tanenbaum, ARZA-World Union • Robert Burns 501-262-9770 • Sherrill Nicolosi [email protected] Please offer prayers that they all have a full and Stuart Fleischner, Immediate Past President speedy recovery. 501-617-1761 [email protected] If you are aware of anyone needing spiritual or any sort of assistance, please let Barbara Morgan know. Our Caring Committee is here to help all of our members in any way we possibly can.

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Page PB December Yahrzeits Birthdays & Anniversaries

December Anniversaries Kaddish Recited December 1 Imy and Harriett Marcus Dec 17 Adolph Korngut Brad and Elaine Wolken Dec 26 Father of Fred Korngut Fletcher Young December Birthdays Grandfather of Gary Lax Sally Nicolosi Dec 6 Warner Kass Sophie Fleischner Dec 7 Husband of Lynda Kass Ed Berkun Dec 17 Sherrill Nicolosi Dec 20 Sharona Grenman Wife of Oded Grenman Kim Baron Dec 22 Mother of Elan Grenman Frances Iverson Dec 30 Kaddish Recited December 8 Alyce Brand Sister of Carol Kleinman Bernice Waxler Condolences Mother of Michael Waxler Our heartfelt condolences are offered to Mary Klompus and her family on the loss of her Kaddish Recited December 15 beloved husband, Stuart Klompus. Naomi Tanenbaum Mother of Jerry Tanenbaum Our heartfelt condolences are offered to Rabbi Richard Chapin on the passing of his mother, Minnie Schlesinger Lila Chapin. Mother-in-law of Barbara Schlesinger Kaddish Recited December 22 Lynn Raines Kirsch Wife of Steven Kirsch Nellie Sheets Reform Leader Beaten at Mother of Mary Klompus Western Wall Kaddish Recited December 29 Continued from page 5 Hyman Rabinowitz Grandfather of Betty Feir festivities for the ordination of the 100th Israeli Reform rabbi. Dora Taxer Mother of Sheldon (Shep) Taxer Anat Hoffman, leader of Women at the Wall, a group that organizes regular prayer services for women at the Western Wall plaza, was one of the Torah bearers for the group. She said she is worried about the increasingly violent opposition to egalitarian services at the Wall. “The way things are now, the writing’s on the wall — this is gonna end in bloodshed,” she said. “We are sitting ducks.”

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Page PB be followed by seven years of hunger, and advises Pharaoh to store grain during the plentiful years. Weekly Parshah Pharaoh appoints Joseph governor of Egypt. Joseph marries Asenath, daughter of Potiphar, and December they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Vayishlach Famine spreads throughout the region, and food December 2 can be obtained only in Egypt. Ten of Joseph’s Jacob returns to the Holy Land after a 20-year brothers come to Egypt to purchase grain; the stay in Charan, and sends emissaries to Esau in youngest, Benjamin, stays home, for Jacob fears hope of a reconciliation, but his messengers report for his safety. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but that his brother is on the warpath with 400 armed they do not recognize him; he accuses them of be- men. Jacob prepares for war, prays, and sends Esau ing spies, insists that they bring Benjamin to prove a large gift (consisting of hundreds of heads of that they are who they say they are, and impris- sheep and cattle) to appease him. ons Simeon as a hostage. Later, they discover that the money they paid for their That night, Jacob ferries his family provisions has been mysteriously and possessions across the Yabbok returned to them. River; he, however, remains behind Vayigash and encounters the angel that em- December 23, bodies the spirit of Esau, with whom Judah approaches Joseph to he wrestles until daybreak. Jacob suf- plead for the release of Benja- fers a dislocated hip but vanquishes min, offering himself as a slave the supernal creature, who bestows to the Egyptian ruler in Benja- on him the name Israel, which means min’s stead. Upon witnessing his “He who prevails over the Divine.” brothers’ loyalty to one another, Joseph reveals his identity to Vayeishev them. “I am Joseph,” he de- December 9 clares. “Is my father still alive?” Jacob settles in Hebron with his twelve sons. His favorite is 17-year- The brothers are overcome by old Joseph, whose brothers are jeal- shame and remorse, but Joseph ous of the preferential treatment he receives from comforts them. “It was not you who sent me here,” his father, such as a precious many-colored coat he says to them, “but G-d. It has all been ordained that Jacob makes for Joseph. Joseph relates to his from Above to save us, and the entire region, from brothers two dreams he has which foretell that he famine.” is destined to rule over them, increasing their envy and hatred towards him. Va-y’chi December 30 Shimon and Levi plot to kill him, but Reuben Jacob desires to reveal the end of days to his chil- suggests that they throw him into a pit instead, dren, but is prevented from doing so. Jacob blesses intending to come back later and save him. While his 12 sons, assigning to each his role as a tribe: Joseph is in the pit, Judah has him sold to a band Judah will produce leaders, legislators and kings; of passing Ishmaelites. The brothers dip Joseph’s priests will come from Levi, scholars from Issa- special coat in the blood of a goat and show it to char, seafarers from Zebulun, schoolteachers from their father, leading him to believe that his most Shimon, soldiers from Gad, judges from Dan, olive beloved son was devoured by a wild beast. growers from Asher, and so on. Reuben is rebuked Mikeitz for “confusing his father’s marriage”; Shimon and December 16 Levi for the massacre of Shechem and the plot Joseph’s imprisonment finally ends when Pharaoh against Joseph. Naphtali is granted the swiftness dreams of seven fat cows that are swallowed up of a deer, Benjamin the ferociousness of a wolf, by seven lean cows, and of seven fat ears of grain and Joseph is blessed with beauty and fertility. swallowed by seven lean ears. Joseph interprets the dreams to mean that seven years of plenty will

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