Tzedek = Justice Women of Reform Judaism/Sisterhood’s Semi-Annual Blood Drive This month’s value: Pikuach Nefesh (Saving a Life) I¦TON T¦ZIYON iuhm iuTg¦¦ The Newsletter of Mount Zion Temple April 2013 Nisan/Iyar 5773 Vol. 157, No. 7 We will make a difference. L’DOR VADOR FROM THE RABBI FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION Reflections from Israel MAZEL TOV TO... I am writing this article in a café in Jerusalem, a short distance from where Our members who will celebrate a milestone my family lived during our sabbatical in 2008. The sun warms my table anniversary in April: Charles & Vicky Fodor; through the window. I can hear birds singing brightly in the trees. The lively Martin & Sheila Schuman. red, violet, and yellow flowers contrast wondrously with the ever-present white Jerusalem stone. In other words – a typical and inspiring morning in Israel. I am here visiting my son Eiden who is participating, along with Mount Zion 11th grader ZICHRONAM LIVRACHA Anna Ehrlich, in a semester-long program sponsored by the Reform Movement. They are May their memories be a blessing both flourishing along with 83 other teens from around North America. We note with sorrow the passing of our members: The program (called Eisendrath International Exchange-EIE-High School in Israel) Robert Lovich transports the students through 3000 years of Jewish history, with the land of Israel as Our condolences to his family, including his their outdoor classroom. They develop a true sense of ahavat Yisrael, a love for the land wife, Recie Lovich and and people of Israel. This love is not without a healthy, critical spirit, something that his step-son Jules (Janice) Goldstein. Israelis have in large doses. They learn how to debate the ins and outs of government Rivian Steinberg policies and ways to apply Jewish values to the challenges of army service, relations with Our condolences to her family, including her son, Palestinians, and religious pluralism in a land where Orthodox Jews have disproportionate James (Terri) Steinberg. power. There is no shortage of dilemmas in a modern nation-state, let alone one trying to preserve the only home for full Jewish expression in the world and one located in the WE EXTEND CONDOLENCES TO... Middle East. Jay Horvath (Nancy Mendelsohn) on the death of his mother, Betty Horvath, on March 1. In two days President Obama will visit and by the time you read this, you will know the Hilary (Jerry Kobrin) Stecklein Kobrin on the death impact of his time in Israel. Right now expectations are low for anything significant to of her father, James Pert,on March 4. arise. The coalition government of Israel has just been patched together by Prime Minister May God grant peace to all who mourn and Netanyahu. Many believe that the casualty of the coalition will be negotiations with comfort to all who are bereaved. Palestinians. I certainly pray that this is not the case for Israel’s sake. Last month we hosted, with JCRC, a conference at Mount Zion about Iran and the horrific threat it poses to Israel, America, and the world. A conclusion from that day was that Israel must remain vigilant and strong. A few weeks later, we helped host a Palestinian WELCOME...B’RUCHIM HA’BAIM... and Israeli from the Parents Circle Family Forum in a program entitled “Reconciliation TO OUR NEW MEMBER! not Revenge.” Over 1000 people met Wajih Tmaiza and Roi Golan and heard their stories Pola Rest of losing their brothers in the conflict and their desire to work toward a two state solution. A conclusion from these programs was that Israel must take risks for negotiated agreements with the Palestinians. This space is too short to go into greater detail. The issues are complex and their solutions Hospital Visits elusive. However, I will end with contrast. Being in Israel now for a week, it is possible to Our Rabbis and Cantors routinely forget the challenges. There is so much beauty, diversity, and co-existence I have seen every make many visits to local hospitals to day in my travels in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ein Rafa (an Israeli Arab village), and more. I have visit congregants. Most hospitals no not seen the fullness of the region of course in this visit. However, as we prepare for Israel’s longer release patient information. 65th Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut), it is helpful to know that there is indeed so Please let us know if you, a loved one or much to celebrate. I hope you will join me in our community Yom Ha’atzmaut event at friend from the congregation is in the the State Fairgrounds on Sunday, April 21st. Please see the enclosed flyer for more hospital so that we can offer our pres- information. ence and prayers. With prayers for peace, Adam Stock Spilker, Rabbi Iton Tziyon Cover: Women of Reform Judaism/Sisterhood’s Semi-Annual Blood Drive Value of the Month: Pikuach Nefesh – Saving a Life More on this value, see p. 3 for Tzedek Testimonial and p. 18 for Torah Study The photos on the cover are from recent Mount Zion Sisterhood Blood At the November 2012 blood drive, we netted 61 units of blood which Drives. They show our volunteers cooking Matzah Ball soup, checking can help over 180 people We had many Mount Zion members as well people in, giving blood, and providing moral support. In 2012, first as members of the community donating. We had teenage donors as time donors received T-shirts punning on the word “dam”, which is well as senior donors. We had a group from one area workplace who Hebrew for blood. were moved by the devastation from hurricane Sandy and chose our blood drive as a place to support the cause. 2 MAKE SHABBAT YOUR SANCTUARY APRIL Tzedek Testimonial Pikuach Nefesh (Saving a Life) FRIDAY SHABBAT SATURDAY SHABBAT by Amy Ariel EVENING SERVICES MORNING SERVICES Amy Ariel, formerly Mount Zion’s Teen and Young April 5, 6:30 p.m. April 6, 10:00 a.m. Adult Activities Director and author of the middle- Soul Food Friday, 7:15 p.m. (see p.8) Shemini – Lev. 11:1-11:47* grade book Friends Forever, lives in Saint Paul Mount Zion congregants and with her partner Liddy Rich. If you have questions community are welcome to join the about being a bone marrow or stem cell donor, April 12, 7:30 p.m. teen-led service, part of NFTY Kallah please contact her at [email protected]. Congregational Shabbat Dinner nd April 13, 10:00 a.m. The Blood of My Neighbors 2 Generation Speaker: Laura Zelle Birthday Blessings Tazria/Metzora – Lev. 14:33-15:33* We could have simply each pricked our fingers and made a vow. At Professional Quartet Celebrate Shabbat! midnight, we could have had a secret blood-brother-sister ceremony. Instead, even though we’d never met and still don’t know each other’s April 19, 7:30 p.m. April 20, 10:00 a.m. names, his marrow set up shop in my bones and now makes all of my Food for Thought, 5:45 p.m. (see p.6) Acharei – Kedoshim – Lev. 19:15-20:27* blood because my marrow . my marrow needed back-up and my Value of the Month Margaret Cohen, Bat Mitzvah donor did not stand idly by. Brotherhood Participates Continued on p. 16. Brotherhood Mensch Award Congregational Shabbat Dinner April 26, 7:30 p.m. April 27, 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 12 Emor - Lev. 23:23-24:23* Chai School Graduation & Celebrate Shabbat! Dinner: 5:45 p.m.; Film: 6:45 p.m.; Service: 7:30 p.m. Senior Send-off Cost: $18 for adults; $12 for children Dinner will be followed by the viewing of the film: In the Schedule Every Shabbat Day Shadow of the Acropolis: Discover the Untold Story of the 9:00 a.m. Open Torah Study - Drop in any time to Holocaust in Greece and 2nd Generation Survivor Guest study the week’s Torah portion (listed above). Speaker, Laura Zelle. For more details, see page 9. *Using a triennial [3 year] cycle, we are reading the third third of each parashah this year. Mount Zion Helps Make Mother’s Day Meaningful! 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service This event has been one of Mount Zion’s best kept secrets. Yom Ha’aym - Mother’s Day Service Daily Service Schedule Daily services are held in the Harris Chapel, Monday through Thursday Sunday, May 12 at 5:45 p.m., Sundays at 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Music and Prayers April 10:00 a.m. Complimentary Brunch Mondays: Rita Grossman, Jonathan Eisenthal, Abram Eisenthal Sponsored by Brotherhood Tuesdays: John Mast, Charlie and Marjorie Levine The service is led by our clergy, with music from both cantors and Shir Wednesdays: Eric Lund, Stuart Foss and Carol Foss Tzion, who help bring meaning and joy to the day. The brunch that fol- Thursdays: Patrick Zimmerman, Ian Ellis, Margo Friedman lows is sponsored by Brotherhood, many in tuxedos, waiting on beauti- Sundays: Sally Glick, Lindsay Nauen, Kurt & Anne Schaeffer, fully set tables and serving a delicious, complimentary brunch. The Ray Sevett brunch is for all in our congregation! Confirmation students will sell roses If you would like to participate in Leading or Greeting at daily to fundraise for their class gift. services, contact Janet Kampf 651-482-9951 or Charles Fodor 651-646-6543. Don’t wait any longer. Plan to spend at least part of the morning at Mount Zion.