When the Celebration Ends, the Future Begins
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June/July 2014 Sivan/Tamuz/Av 5774 Vol. 40 No. 7 When the Memory and Celebration Ends, Redemption the Future Begins Near the end of April, the Temple Emanu-El Choir and I participated in a Yom HaShoah commemoration held at the Highland Springs Our Temple | Our Future senior living community in Dallas. The event was conceived and organized by Temple member Special Report, Pages 9-16 Francine Daner, who sings in our choir. By the time the program began, the community room was packed. The audience included Jewish residents, of course, but a large non-Jewish contingent was present as well. There was something striking about this blended gathering, committed to a common cause while coming from such divergent backgrounds. The atmosphere was filled from the outset with attentiveness and reverence. Cantor Francine had organized the Richard Cohn program so that the musical selections were interspersed with readings on Holocaust themes by local writers, many of whom were well known. Some passages were searing, others reflective, and each was given its voice by a designated member of the community. The Choir offered a balanced program that included two settings of the poem “Even When God is Silent,” two of “Ani Ma’amin” (“I Believe”), and a single setting of Hannah Szenes’ poem “Blessed is the Match” (“Ashrei Hagafrur”), to music by Temple’s emeritus music director, Simon Sargon. In addition, I sang Szenes’ familiar “Eili, Eili” (“O Lord, My God”) and chanted the memorial prayer. The musical sources were varied, ranging from original works by contemporary American composers to haunting (Continued on Page 17) OUR FUTURE | UNDER CONSTRUCTION Page 2 OUR FUTURE | UNDER CONSTRUCTION Watch this space for news as we embark on the exciting project to build the Temple of the future. PARKING Since early June, construction fences have been in place and all parking is limited to the south lot. The Tobian kitchen entrance is open for deliveries, and the Community Garden is accessible from the road that runs along the east side of the property. ENTRANCE The Olan Sanctuary entrance is the only entrance for all Temple activities, including ECEC, Judaic Treasures, Religious School, services, life cycle events, board and committee meetings, and meetings with clergy and administrative staff. RECEPTION DESK The reception desk that is currently at the entrance to the Levy Building has moved to the Olan Sanctuary foyer. STAFF PACKING DAYS Temple staff will be relocating offices into temporary quarters beginning after Simchat Torah. Temple offices will open at 1PM on the remaining first Mondays of summer months—July 7 and August 4—to allow for packing of offices in anticipation of the move. QUESTIONS? [email protected] 2 TEMPLE NEWS Budget Update Hurrah for Sh’ma! The Board of Trustees last month passed Temple’s Sh’ma Emanu-El packed the house on May 7, as nearly 2014-15 operating budget of $9.7 million. The 100 Temple members gathered to learn about where amount includes significant investments in learning, the project has come and next steps on the road ahead. community, prayer and maintenance of our building. Hosts, facilitators and participants spoke about their Highlights include: experiences and desire to continue making connections. In case you missed the May meeting, the conversation • Establishing Religious School tuition at a 50- will continue with the same topics at 7PM on June 17, 50 split between families and the congregation with opportunities for conversation and relationship (families have traditionally paid a higher share) building. • Expanded youth learning and engagement, including the start of the Religious School High Here are some exciting next steps: School program • This summer: Congregants will be asked for their • Increased ECEC classes, teachers, enrichment interest in joining a Sh’ma Group. Training will be programs and scholarships offered for leaders. Anyone can be a leader! • Merit pay increases for staff • This fall: Temple will facilitate events for leaders • Facilities support during the upcoming construction and members to form and activate Sh’ma Groups. • Sh’ma Emanu-El small group support Groups will be focused around but not limited to • Additional cemetery maintenance Shabbat, learning, neighborhoods, social justice and • Ongoing Adult Jewish Learning classes and lectures shared interests. “The budget process began in November and • What small groups look like: While the entire scope continued through May,” explains committee chair of the small group experience is still in the visioning Edward Stone. “Careful consideration was given to stage by Sh’ma Emanu-El leadership, here are a each department’s programming and funding needs few broad outlines. Groups will include eight to 10 and to balance those requests with available financial members and meet regularly as determined by the resources. It was a detailed process that, in the group. Temple will provide ongoing support for end, yielded a budget for 2014-15 that is balanced leaders and groups, including materials. between revenues and expenses.” “The most exciting part of all that has happened thus far with Sh’ma Emanu- New P.O. Box El is that this is just the beginning. Temple has a new U.S. Post Office box to handle payments. Thank you for being a part of this Please discard any envelopes you may have at home with journey. We sincerely hope you can the old address. join us as we consider our future,’’ said The new address for all For any other types of Mike Sims, chair of Sh’ma Emanu-El. forms of payment is: correspondence that do not include payments, use the Temple Emanu-El street address: To learn more and get involved, visit www. P.O. Box 205114 tedallas.org/community/shma-emanu-el. Dallas, TX 75320-5114 Temple Emanu-El Contact: Diana Coben Einstein, at 8500 Hillcrest Road Dallas, TX 75225-4204 [email protected]. SUMMER COLLECTIONS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS June Collection Benefits Heart House Items requested: School supplies, equipment for outdoor summer activities Heart House is a free after-school program in Vickery Meadow that provides a safe haven and academic support to at-risk children, while encouraging them to become good citizens. Contact: Debby Stein, [email protected] July Collection Benefits VNA Meals on Wheels Items requested: Toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, washcloths and socks for holiday gift bags VNA’s Meals on Wheels provides nutritious, freshly prepared, hot meals to Dallas County residents who can’t provide for themselves due to illness, advanced age or disability. Contact: Diana Coben Einstein, [email protected] 3 COMMUNITY ADULT LEARNING Stepping Stones has a New Name Stepping Stones to Jewish Knowledge is now called Introduction to Judaism! Beginning this fall, the class will morph into one 16-week course offered twice a year. The course has been reimagined by Rabbi Kimberly Herzog Cohen, teachers Renée Karp and Robin Kosberg, and the Outreach Committee. The new course curriculum will include previously offered topics such as “Our Homes, Families and Community” and “Our History, Literature and Faith,” in addition to basic Hebrew and a new team-taught approach. Robin and Renée will continue to teach, as will members of the Temple Emanu-El clergy. The next class starts August 26. Register: https://participate.tedallas.org/intro-to-judaism Robin Kosberg Renée Karp Contact: Melissa Duchin, [email protected] BAGELS Observing Tishah B’Av AND a Our annual Tishah B’Av observance of study, prayer, silence and song will be held at 7:30PM on Monday, August 4, in Linz Hall. Meaning “ninth of Av,” Tishah BLESSING B’Av is a traditional day of mourning the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem. In Reform Judaism, it has become our practice to remember Jewish Aug. 10 | 10:30AM | Weiss Youth Wing tragedies in our history and recommit ourselves and our community to Jewish life. You’re leaving the nest, yes, and taking your Judaism with you. Come to Temple for a special The Big One Journey to Israel send-off as you begin to create Information Meetings your Jewish life away from home. Wednesday, June 18 7PM, Linz Hall Students Wednesday, July 9 Meet together for a nosh, discussion 7PM, Linz Hall and fun before you head off to college. Parents Discuss the joys and challenges of this upcoming transition in your family’s life. Coming this Fall! A new directory for all members, Parents and students will gather published by WRJ/Sisterhood together at the conclusion for a Congregants are invited to special blessing. advertise their businesses. Register For advertising https://participate.tedallas.org/ opportunities, contact bagelsandblessing2014 Joan Genender, 214.363.1425, [email protected]. Contact 4 Karen Howson, [email protected] HIGH HOLY DAYS 2014 Sneak Preview High Holy Days 2014 There are lots of new options for meaningful prayer and community at this year’s High Holy Days services. The redesigned annual booklet with all the details will be sent out to congregants’ homes in mid-July. Until then, here are some Frequently Asked Questions prepared by Executive Director Rick Rosenberg and the High Holy Days Committee: e’ve seen the construction On Yom Kippur day, there will be two hat do I do if I am traveling Wactivity heating up at services for Families with School-aged Wand want to attend services Temple. How will it affect High Children in Pollman Hall. in another city? Holy Days? There are three ways to make The Teen Experience on Yom Kippur The only parking lot available to arrangements. day will be held at the JCC. Shuttle Temple members during the High • Call Temple at 214.706.0000 buses will leave from the NorthPark Holy Days is the south Olan Sanctuary and ask for Karen Howson, who Center remote parking location parking lot.