January 2019 VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 4 The Difference Between Temple and Synagogue I am often asked the er, psalms, Torah readings, and Jewish identity, solidarity, com- “difference” between study. Even though the syna- munity, and learning. A syna- the terms temple (as gogue became the notable Jewish gogue by any other name may in Temple Beth Or) institution for religious practice, still be as sweet as long as it fos- and synagogue. In its prayer book still maintained ters wisdom, spirituality, inclu- many cases they are fervent prayers for the restora- siveness, fellowship, Tikkun Olam synonymous but there can be an tion of the Temple and priest- (repair of the world) and peace. ideological distinction. hood in Jerusalem. This January we will mark the The religious institution de- When the Reform movement was 34th anniversary of our first Shab- scribed in the Tanach (the He- founded in the 19th century, our bat together. We pray that no brew Bible), the Temple, involved founders reclaimed the word matter what we call Temple Beth a hereditary priesthood and the ‘temple’ for our houses of wor- Or, it remains a spiritual home of sacrificial cult. It was called a Beit ship. It was a statement that the light and warmth for you and HaMikdash, (the house of holiness) Reform ideal was no longer a res- your family now…. and for gener- but we call it THE Temple in Eng- toration of the ancient Temple in ations. lish. When that ancient Temple Jerusalem. Instead, our Reform was destroyed in 70 C.E., Jews synagogues are the pinnacle of Shalom, began to gather in places they Jewish hopes and ideals. There- called Batei Knesset or Houses of fore we use the title Temple be- Assembly. The Greek word for cause this is the locale of all of assembly is “synagogue” from our Jewish yearnings. whence we get the title. So today, Reform congregations But there were huge differences may be called either synagogue between the Biblically mandated or Temple, whereas Conservative Temple in Jerusalem and the rab- and Orthodox Jews prefer the binic synagogues which cropped terms synagogue or shul up throughout Babylonia and the (German/ Yiddish for school) for Diaspora. Whereas the Temple their institutions. had been the center of the sacrifi- cial cult, synagogues replaced the Whatever we call them, our con- ancient Temple’s rites with pray- gregations strive to be centers of Our Lives Do you have news or need prayers? Please contact the Temple office at 937-435-3400 to share a birth, marriage or seek get well wishes. Your congregation cares about you! The congregation wishes strength, hope and health to the following: Alan Klein, Arlene Graham, Madalyn Ammons and Cynthia King. The congregation extends its deepest sympathy to Angela and Mark THE LIGHT Gruenberg on the passing of her aunt Margaret Sturkey Chandler. Published monthly by Mazel Tov to Grant Halasz, son of Teri and Mike Halasz on being Temple Beth Or elected president of AEPi Fraternity at the University of Cincinnati. 5275 Marshall Rd. Dayton OH 45429 www.templebethor.com Yahrzeit Remembrances Phone: (937) 435-3400 Temple Beth Or remembers our loved ones on the Sabbath nearest the anniversary of their passing or yahrzeit. The following names will be read RABBI during services this month. Judy Chessin ASSISTANT RABBI Jan. 4 Melvin Sheinker (1/16) Ari Ballaban Doris Ligot (1/2) Rose Berkstein (1/17) Susan Pachman (1/3) Loretta Cox (1/17) ADMINISTRATOR B. Albert Friedman (1/4) Karl Alling Lindquist Jr. (1/17) Donna Brodnick John Farnbacher (1/5) Florence Yates (1/17) Ray Merl (1/5) Beverly Marx Goldberg (1/19) Esther Friedman (1/6) Alma Hochman (1/19) BOTY ADVISOR James Pickard (1/6) Carolyn Guise (1/20) Gavi Douglass Colonel James Skelley (1/6) Dora Sax Fenberg (1/21) Rudolf H. Steinharter, MD (1/6) Donald Rosset (1/21) OFFICERS Milton Meyer (1/7) Robert Arthur Buerki (1/22) Jerry Weckstein, President Mier Hakim (1/8) Robert Reich (1/22) John Granby, Vice President Wanda Hirsch (1/8) Rhonna Troy (1/22) Sue Nelson, Secretary Karen Lindsay, Treasurer Myra Gloria Lindquist (1/8) Shirley Nathan (1/8) Jan. 25 MEMBERS AT LARGE Isdore Steinberger (1/8) John A. Reger (1/23) Jane Briskin Jake Elder Leon Albert (1/24) Marni Flagel Caryl Segalewitz Jan. 11 Morton Gerla (1/24) Jessica Simpson Dan Sweeny Camilla K. Meyer (1/9) Gail Banks Buerki (1/25) Miriam Gerla (1/11) Bertha Marks Holstine (1/25) COMMITTEE CHAIRS Harvey Lowen (1/11) Ruth Layman (1/27) Administration: Ira Segalewitz Taube Besser (1/12) Michael Ammons (1/29) Education: Kate Elder Charles Grant (1/12) Muriel Brown (1/29) Fund-raising: Karen Lindsay Member Services: Marni Flagel Janice Lowen (1/13) Abe Jacobson (1/29) Personnel: Micah Siegal Fanny Sigmond (1/13) Michael Novak (1/29) Religious: Vacant Mayme Low (1/14) Karl Plotkin (1/29) Volunteers: Paula Gessiness Frances Rosenberg (1/14) Isobel B. Bernstein (1/15) AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS Sylvia Miller (1/15) Judaica Shop: Karen Lindsay John G. Moody (1/15) BOTY President: Ava Kuperman & Sara Zendlovitz Jan. 18 Connections for Seniors: Hank Adler Helen Bernie (1/16) Edward LeClaire (1/16) Temple Security is High Priority Sadly the killing of eleven wor- Security equipment and up- held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please shipers at Tree of Life Synagogue grades have been purchased for RSVP with Alisa at 937-610-1796. in Pittsburgh last October reminds classrooms. ●We are looking for ushers who us that antisemitism still festers in Estimates for increased light- will supplement our security efforts America. The Anti-Defamation ing, security cameras, and monitors during religious obsrvances. If you League (ADL) cites that anti- have been provided to the board. are interested in helping out, please Semitic incidents are on the rise, up Estimates to improve our doors contact Bill Fried, Richard Brom- 57% last year. and locks have also been provided berg, or the Temple Beth Or office. Temple Beth Or takes this threat to the board. ●Join us at Temple Beth Or on seriously. The board has been fo- Saturday, January 26th for a SAFE- cused on Temple security for over a Centerville Police Department TY SABBATH. We will begin our year now, however we have recent- presented training for our Makor morning with a 10 a.m. service, fol- ly ramped up our actions to im- teachers, staff and select volun- lowed by a synagogue safety course prove the security of our temple teers. at 10:30 a.m. to ensure that our and congregation. We have ex- Updates have been made to community is prepared for emer- panded our security committee and Temple security procedures and gencies. Brunch and babysitting taken the following actions: checklists. provided. We completed a security as- Updates have been made to the We are doing all we can to pro- sessment conducted by the Mont- Temple’s first kits. vide a credible security presence gomery County Sheriff’s Office We are researching security and make the upgrades necessary to and are taking actions now to im- grant opportunities to help pay for protect our Temple Beth Or congre- plement their recommendations. the needed capital improvements gation and facilities. We need you We have put in place a well- (listed above) and salaries for secu- to do your part to support these qualified plainclothes security of- rity guards. efforts and take advantage of the ficer during our Friday evening ser- One of the strongest recom- training opportunities provided. vices, Makor and other Sunday mendations from the security as- Our security committee consists morning activities. Other large ac- sessment was training for our con- of Board Vice President John Gran- tivities will also require a security gregation and staff. On Sunday, by, former board president Bill officer to be present. January 6, the Jewish Federation of Fried, Richard Bromberg, Ira You may find some changes to Greater Dayton will host Security Segalewitz, Kate Elder, Terry the way you access our building as Training for Places of Worship by Flack, Alex Pearl, Ryan Levin and a result of increased security as we the Ohio Crime Prevention Associ- Annie Self. We welcome your in- will be locking doors after the start ation. All members are encouraged put and participation. of activities. to attend this free training to be Financial Donations General Fund By Joann Plotkin In Support for Temple Security In Memory of Richard Flagel By Diane and Richard Bromberg By Marni Flagel By Jan Maharam In Memory of The Pittsburgh Victims By Marni Flagel By Cynthia King In Memory of Joan Sumers Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund By Marsha and Stephen Goldberg In Honor of Meia Worly’s babynaming In Memory of Stuart M. Denmark By Chelsea and Todd Worly By Linda and Scot Denmark In Memory of Patricia Throckmorton Temple’s many funds provide a meaningful way to mark the life cycle events we all experience. From a birth to a graduation, from the recovery from an illness to a promotion or marriage, we all experi- ence joy and sadness throughout our lives. To express your caring and concern, please send your tribute card and minimum $10 donation to the Temple office. All donations are tax deductible. Lessons of the Liminal: Focusing on the Journey, not the Destination Liminality— those who navigate them. When we year? At this time, in this transition- though some traverse a liminal juncture, we cross al moment, we make choices that consider this a threshold from one part of our are likely to affect us long into the word needless lives into another.