With Rabbi Silverman
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TOURO SYNAGOGUE Volume 189, Issue 3 • February/March 2018 - Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5778 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Page 2 A Message From Rabbi Berk PURIM HAPPY HOUR Standing at the Parted Shores of History Page 2 Passover is one of our most empathic holidays. We are asked to see ourselves as though we ourselves were slaves SEDER BY THE SEA and that we ourselves are now free. Page 3 We are implored to experience the whole thing as ourselves. UPCOMING B'NAI MITZVAH Newly, and with fresh, creative approaches. And at the same Page 4-5 time, as historical participants in the firsthand account. MARDI GRAS The whole beautiful thing is filled with contradictions. The Page 6-7 matzah is called the bread of affliction, and yet the story of why we eat it relates that it is because we were freed that LIMMUDFEST we were too rushed to let the bread rise. We are taught to Page 8 see ourselves as slaves downtrodden with oppression, yet we spend the seder reclining with a pillow – the very symbol of luxury. We were slaves. Now we are free. ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Page 9 And the seder is the moment where the two meet and embrace. It’s the transitional threshold where all of the magical memories are made. The transcendent possibilities LITERATURE & LIBATIONS around Pesach are limitless. Page 10 For example, if you missed our first Seder by the Sea three years ago, now is your time IN THE KITCHEN to have this liminal, luminous observance with us. We begin the experience with an Page 11 afternoon of rest, play, and joy together on the beach. This includes a pyramid sand castle contest, frisbee and football, and of course, snacks and beach chatting. Then, 1ST NIGHT CONGREGATIONAL SEDER we prepare for the evening and reconvene as the low tide invites us to dip our toes into Page 12 the shores of the sea – preparing to cross over both literally and spiritually. We share a creative, interactive seder meal – and then adjourn back to the beach for marshmallow JAZZ FEST SHABBAT Page 13 roasting, wine toasting, and campfire singing. The next morning, we make our way to hotel breakfast and then back to the sand for a sunrise prayer service. At the end of it SOCIAL ACTION all, we spend some time playing on the beach and enjoying one another’s company. We Page 14-15 were slaves. Now we are free. We pray this prayer almost every Shabbat: IN THE MOOD FOR A MELODY HIGHLIGHTS Standing on the parted shores, we still believe what we were taught before ever we stood at Page 16-17 Sinai’s foot; that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt; that there is a better place, a promised land; that the winding way to that promise passes through the wilderness. That there is no DONATIONS way to get from here to there except by joining hands, marching together. [Mishkan Tefilah, Page 20 Shabbat]. I love this prayer. Our Touro Synagogue community really lives this prayer. YAHRZEITS It’s hard to believe springtime is almost upon us. I look forward to spending it with you. Page 21 Reserve your spot at the Seder by the Sea. It won’t be the same without you. With love, SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE Page 24 Rabbi Alexis Berk eder Join us! by the SATURDAY, MARCH 31 - SUNDAY, APRIL 1 ea More on page 3 S 1 A Message from our President This past August, Touro's Board of approve this targeted gift. Approval was Trustees, clergy, and Executive Director granted with delight! What a beautiful gathered for a day-long retreat. Among gift to all of us! the many topics covered was the Now we needed a sofer who could subject of our Torahs. both evaluate our current Torahs and Our Torahs were laid out before us write a brand new Torah for us. We and Rabbis Berk and Silverman led us needed to find a scribe who would through an exploration of each one, feel like the right match for our Touro including their history (if it was known) congregation of diverse, engaged, and how it came to us, the readability, Reform Jews. (Writing a new Torah and the wearing. It was a powerful for a congregational community is a experience together. As Rabbi Berk told highly relational endeavor that requires Teri Hunter us in one High Holy Day sermon years both skill and chemistry.) Under the ago, each of our Torahs has its own leadership of Chris Kornman, newly number of times during her tenure with personality. After examining the Torahs, appointed Chair of a Torah Task Force, us. In addition to writing a new Torah the board decided that we needed a clergy and lay leaders worked together and examining our current Torahs, sofer to evaluate each Torah and tell us to find, interview, and ultimately decide Linda's work with Touro will include what they each might need in terms of upon a scribe to engage. various educational sessions as well as occasions for us to actually write in the repair as well as what the costs would Beginning in June of 2018, Linda be to do any recommended work. We new Torah with her -- skilled hand over Coppleson, a Conservative, egalitarian, quilled hand. There will be opportunities wondered, too, what it would be like to Jewish ritual scribe, teacher, and Judaic have a new Torah to add to the elders. to dedicate letters, words, parshashiyot, artist will begin work on writing a new columns, even entire books. At about the same time, Peggy Good, Torah for Touro in memory of Julian longtime Touro congregant, and widow Good. She also will evaluate the needs The details of this Torah writing of past president, Julian Good, reached of and make recommendations for experience will be forthcoming in the out in offering a sizable donation. The each of our current scrolls. months ahead. I hope you'll stay tuned in excited anticipation! donation was to be used toward writing The Torah writing experience will last a new Torah in memory of her beloved 12-18 months. Much of Linda's work With gratitude for the gifts that await us husband, Julian. As per our new will take place in her studio in New all in this unique experience, gift policy, the board was required to Jersey but she will travel to Touro a Teri FORMATION OF THE TOURO BOARD SEND US YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS Purim BY FEBRUARY 23RD! The Nominating Committee is beginning the process of nominating Happy Hour congregants for election in April 2018 to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees. The new Trustees will be eligible to serve a two-year term beginning July 1, 2018. We invite any congregant who is interested in Wednesday, February 28 joining the leadership of Touro Synagogue to submit their name for 5:30PM - 7:30PM consideration by the Committee. Grant Meyer Garden Pavilion The Board is the Synagogue’s governing body and has responsibility Get into the spirit of Purim with for control and management of the affairs of the congregation, general your Touro Synagogue family. oversight of the congregation's operations, and setting policies. The Board is currently comprised of 36 congregants and meets monthly. Celebrate with festive refreshments, Membership on the Board involves a significant time commitment. warm community, and Megillah. (21+) If you know of someone worthy of consideration you wish to suggest Please RSVP to [email protected] or if you yourself would like to be considered, please email the Nominating Chair, Susan Good at [email protected] or Executive Director, Kerry Tapia at [email protected]. 2 eder by the Sea SATURDAY, MARCH 31 - SUNDAY, APRIL 1 Celebrate our Second Night Seder on the beach! Our ancestors sang and danced on the shores of the sea. Come with us as we dine at sunset with creative rituals, songs, and interpretations of the Exodus story. Come alone, or with your partner or family. Stay tuned for a more detailed schedule of events - to include a seaside sand pyramid contest, beach snacks and a grand scale hangout, welcoming the seder at the shores, creative Pesach dinner conversation, Havdalah and campfire with roasted marshmallows and songs, a sunrise prayer experience, and a general joy-filled festival of freedom!Pack your beach gear and spend the day and night at South Beach Biloxi Hotel and Suites, just 1½ hours and less than 90 miles from Touro Synagogue. To Join Us: 1. BOOK YOUR ROOM AT THE SOUTH BEACH BILOXI HOTEL AND SUITES Studio, one and two bedroom suites are available from $139 - $269 per night Reserve your room by calling the hotel directly at 228.388.2627 and use the group rate code “TOURO.” Group room rates available until February 28. Cancellations can be made without penalty if cancelled 72 hours in advance. 2. RSVP WITH US FOR DINNER AT WWW.TOUROSYNAGOGUE.COM/SEDER-BY-THE-SEA/ Members: $50 / Children (Ages 2-12): $18 / Non-members: $75 3. STAY TUNED FOR PACKING LIST AND TRAVEL DETAILS! EVERYONEEVERYONE ISIS ALSOALSO INVITEDINVITED TOTO OBSERVEOBSERVE PESACHPESACH ATAT OUROUR 1ST1ST NIGHTNIGHT CONGREGATIONALCONGREGATIONAL SEDER.SEDER. SEESEE PAGEPAGE 1212 FORFOR DETAILS.DETAILS. 3 Upcoming B'nai Mitzvah Bat Mitzvah of Reyna Ilyse Soll March 3, 2018 Mazel Tov To me, becoming a Bat Mitzvah means that I am becoming more spiritually B'nai Mitzvah Students! connected. In preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I was Bat Mitzvah of able to make connections Jameson Beatrice between the prayers I say Hartman and the feelings I have.