December 2018 | Kislev/Tevet 5779 | Vol. 45 No. 3 COVER STORY PP. 10-11 Congregational Hanukkah Celebration Adult Learning and more… P. 9 PP. 3; 12-13 CLERGY MESSAGE From Dark Days, to the obbins Light of Hanukkah R ra eb D i b b a R ecember 21 will be The ancient words of the psalmist rang true, “those who the darkest Shabbat sow in tears, will reap in joy.” (Psalm 126:5) We came together, of the year, falling on in tears, to recommit ourselves to sacred planting, to a vision the exact day of the of the joy of reaping a harvest as the season turns. Our WinterD Solstice. But this year the community garden already produces thousands of pounds of darkest Shabbat, not only of the year but in produce each year that are donated to the Vickery Meadow American Jewish history, came early on October 27. It was the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet. The greenhouse is the start darkest Shabbat because at a time and in a place dedicated of our expansion, which will allow us to propagate seeds and to refreshment, peace, hope and life, hatred, horror and build a gardening shed. We’re also making plans to join the death filled the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh. New Roots Program of our partner, the International Rescue Anger, fear and grief filled the hearts of so many around the Committee, with expanded raised beds for our immigrant world. American Jews have sought light and shared light in neighbors to sow and reap alongside us. this country since 1654, kindling candles at home and in the As we gathered in the dappled light of the garden (in synagogue on Shabbat, lighting the menorah in public on the northeast corner of our campus) we affirmed that we will Hanukkah, helping to hold high the torch that welcomes all not be silenced or sequestered by anti-Semitism. The new people to this land of freedom. We have been blessed to be greenhouse symbolizes just the opposite—it is a place that is God’s partners, over and over again, separating light from transparent, holding warmth and nurturing new life. It is the the darkness. centerpiece of a garden where we will welcome immigrants October 28 in Dallas dawned as a beautiful sunny who are more vulnerable than we are as American Jews, and day—an almost jarring response to the deadliest act of anti- together we will sow and reap, season after season, to feed Semitism in America. What did we do at Temple Emanu-El? families with compassion, grace and respect, now in tears but We reached out to comfort and calm those in need. We with time, in joy. reviewed and redoubled our own security plans and efforts. At this dark season, we bless the lights of the Hanukkah We received countless texts and calls and emails of support and candles and celebrate Shabbat, week after week. This year, the solidarity from our Temple neighbors and faith community tiny flames are like a mezuzah on a greenhouse, reminding friends across the city. And then, we opened the building. us of the beautiful and historic power of Jewish living to shed We welcomed YL+E students and parents, exploring how light into our world, helping seeds of all sorts to grow. to talk not only about anti-Semitism but about our pride in being Jews, the joy we find in living Jewish lives. We affirmed that even when we feel vulnerable (like an undressed Torah scroll) we can still know the warm embrace of our community and retain the shining sacred essence of who we are as Jews. We prepared for the ECEC Fall Festival that would bring hundreds onto the campus. And, we dedicated a greenhouse in our Jill Stone Community Garden. We gathered to affix a mezuzah on the door, an outward symbol of an internal commitment to live vibrant Jewish lives. 2 The Window DECEMBER 2018 COMMUNITY IN THIS ISSUE Warm Up to Adult Learning HOLIDAYS & PRAYER PAGE Shabbat Services 8 Hanukkah 9 FOR FAMILIES PAGE Meet Hallie Weiner 17 In the Know, YL+E 17 Parents’ Night Out 17 Conversation between An Evening with Book Review by Rabbi ECEC Registration 18 Rabbi David Stern Dr. Elana Stein Hain, Sheldon Zimmerman Taste of Sh’ma 18 and Dr. Bob Fine Shalom Hartman “Failure” COMMUNITY PAGE on the book “Being Institute by Philip Shultz Clergy Message 2 Mortal,” by Atul Gawande “People as Objects: Book Talk “Being Mortal” 3 Considering the Wednesday, December 19 Evening with Dr. Elana Stein Hain 3 Fall Book Review: “Failure” 3 Wednesday, December 5 Foundations of #MeToo” 7PM, Stern Chapel 7:30PM, Stern Chapel Security Update 3 In these vignettes of Our Community 4 Medicine plays a role Thursday, December 13 growing up Jewish in Gender Inclusiveness 5 in improving your life, 7PM, Stern Chapel New York, Philip Schultz Support Groups 5 including the end of life. What wisdom can Judaism shares tales of his father’s Yoga Emanu-El 7 As part of our work with offer to help us advance unsuccessful business Small Groups 7 The Well 7 The Conversation Project, a productive conversation ventures and the effect Music Around Emanu-El 19 this event will examine about what the #MeToo it had on the family. concepts of mortality and era has exposed as being RSVP: WRJ & BROTHERHOOD PAGE medicine in a thoughtful broken in our society? participate.tedallas.org/ WRJ Events 6 discussion. RSVP: failure WRJ Christmas Drive 6 Stretch and Schmooze 6 RSVP: participate.tedallas.org/ participate.tedallas.org/ Party Expo 6 steinhain beingmortal ADULT LEARNING PAGE Adult Bnai Mitzvah 12 Prayers & Pray-ers 12 Adult Hebrew 12 Book Clubs 13 SECURITY UPDATE 92nd Street Y 13 Wise Aging 13 Temple is welcoming, and Temple is safe. • Dallas Police Department officers are Talmud 13 Balancing the two needs continues to be stationed outside the building. Platinum Introduction to Judaism 13 a priority in an era of heightened fear Security representatives are on duty PHILANTHROPY PAGE surrounding mass shootings. “We want to inside the building and on the golf cart know exactly how much security to have, patrolling the building. Annual Fund 8 Contributions 14-16 exactly how many gates to lock, how many • Those who need to enter the building policemen to arm, what is the precise without a badge may push a call button calculation of welcome and wariness. at the entrance and be directed to the Whether a fortress Judaism will protect or Reception Desk. suffocate the beating heart of who we are,” Temple clergy and staff are available to said Rabbi David Stern in his community • Handguns are not allowed inside support members of our community dealing the building. with mental and physical health issues. Please remarks at Shearith Israel following the reach out to us if you or a friend or family Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. member is dealing with depression, addiction, • Youth Learning + Engagement and the grief, cancer, chronic conditions, infertility or As we move forward from heartbreak and Early Childhood Education Center have another condition. grief, we are taking the following steps: additional protocols which are being • All entrances to Temple are badge- communicated to parents and staff. accessible only, except on Shabbat Finances should never be a barrier to evening and morning services and some For more information: participation in Temple life. Confidential events. Members who are frequently at Rick Rosenberg, Executive Director, financial assistance is available for most Temple (and we hope it’s everyone!) are [email protected] Temple events, tuition and dues. encouraged to request a badge at the David Friedman, Security Committee Chair, tedallas.org/community/temple-cares Reception Desk or online: participate. [email protected] Contact: Meredith Pryzant, tedallas.org/securitybadgerequest [email protected] DECEMBER 2018 • The Window 3 COMMUNITY OUR COMMUNITY BECOMING B’NAI MITZVAH NEW & RETURNING IN MEMORIAM MEMBERS Otilio Arroyo-Sanchez Father of Nelson Arroyo-Ortiz Suzie Blumenthal & Scott Ellyn Crohn Birnbaum Greg Eaves Jonathan, Anne, Jack & Zoe Husband of Karen Prager- Brownlee Eaves Dec. 15 Corinne Biederman, Max Meyer, Dec. 27 Joe & Barbara Buchman Daughter of Rachael Biederman Son of Adriana and Saul Meyer Marilyn Harris Benjamin Franklin International The Greenhill School Meghann Cooper & Carl Mother of Nathan Harris, Exploratory Academy Tikkun Olam: Budenski Aaron Harris Tikkun Olam: North Dallas North Texas Food Bank Natali Cordova & Marino Sister of Carilynne Gay Shared Ministries and Siegwart Beatrix Lawrence Sandwich Ministry Michael & Lauren Drory Granddaughter of Gail and Dana Lawrence Drew, Miriam & Mia Eltis Dorothy Rappeport Debbie & Donnie Friedman Mother of Kay Franks Lauren & Jemal Gibson June Sachs Leah Peaslee, Dec. 1 Brian, Abby, Grayson, Mother of Robin Sachs Daughter of Elizabeth and Kendall, Sawyer & Teva Farkas, Richard Sachs and Chris Peaslee Lauren Eisenberg Vance Bonsell, Dec. 22 Goldstein William B. Travis Academy Son of Shawn and Mark & Krista Goodman Sallye Waldman Susan Bonsell Tikkun Olam: Wife of Carl Waldman Matthew, Caron & Chloe The Greenhill School North Texas Food Bank Mother of Steve Waldman Hoffer Tikkun Olam: (Houston) North Texas Food Bank Joshua, Josh & William Lankford Nancy, Josh & Rachel Lerman Rebeka Luttinger BABY NAMINGS Robin & Richard Margolin Hailey and Zach Riven, Dec. 27 Hadleigh Friedman Children of Jenn and Jay Riven David, Felicia, Oliver Morris Daughter of Laura and Jonathan Friedman Parish Episcopal School & Sebastian Martinez-Cairo Ruby Goldstein, Dec. 8 Great-granddaughter of Daughter of Cara Goldstein Tikkun Olam: Kouy Kolar-Novice, Ken & Miriam Karp and Bobby Goldstein Hailey, Color Me Empowered Lyra Novice Zach, Pet Meals on Wheels Ellis Harrison Kaufman Akiba Academy of Dallas Emily & Anthony Ponchelle Son of Rachel and Andrew Tikkun Olam: Erika Purdy & Mason Patrick Kaufman various projects Grandson of Felice and Susan Tal, Adam Courseau Harold Leidner & Roy Tal WEDDINGS Anna Calvert Moreland Allison Zeitlow and Catherine Wall, Darren & Daughter of Rachel and Kyle Athens Aschaffenburg Jordan Furman Moreland Carolyn & Scott Walter Granddaughter of Nina Jane Margolin and Cortell and Dr.