he uz at T News From B’naiB Zion CongregationZ inBZ Shreveport, LA MAY 2016 / NISAN - IYAR 5776 From Rabbi Dr. Jana De Benedetti I really do try to do good things. I really do try to make the world a better place. Stuff Happens I try to see people the way I think that they want to be seen. I like to believe that if I treat someone with respect, then I can get respect in return. I think that I want to believe in “karma.” If I do good things, then life will be good, and good things will come my way. In the Torah it teaches that if we keep the Commandments, and live life justly, and with mercy, then good things will happen, and we can walk humbly with God. What does it mean when that doesn’t happen? When you eat healthy, and exercise, and get enough sleep, and wash your hands – and you still get sick? When you are kind, and generous, and sweet, and someone takes advantage of that? When you think you did all the right things, followed all the instructions, crossed your t’s and dotted your i’s, and still get rejected? That’s just not right…Why does that happen? What do you do about it? Some people yell. They get angry. They try to force things to go their way. Their blood pressure goes up – and so does the blood pressure of everyone around them. They believe: “This can’t be happening to me.” Some people shut down. They often wait it out, hoping that it will pass, and only come back out when they think it is over. They hide and wonder “how could this be happening to me?” Some people just complain about it. They tell the story to everyone who will listen, and if they tell it well enough, they might find many people willing to listen. They are the ones who say, “You won’t believe what happened to me.” Depending on how bad the thing is that happens, and depending how important the thing is – some people may go through many of these reactions: yelling, telling, “cave-dwelling.” They may never fix what is broken, but sometimes these reactions can make a person feel a little better. Sometimes these reactions don’t help. Sometimes bad stuff happens, and we can’t fix it. Sometimes bad stuff happens, and it isn’t because of anything you did. Stuff sometimes happens. That is why I like being part of a holy congregation. It reminds me to make good choices, and it celebrates with me when good things happen. It also listens to me when bad things happen, and comforts me. Sometimes someone in the congregation knows how to help. Sometimes no one does. To be a part of a holy congregation, and to be able to experience these “benefits,” you have to not only take, you have to give. We like to be here to help, but we also sometimes need help. We need to feel safe enough to share with each other that bad stuff is happening to us, and we need to feel loved enough to share with each other that good stuff is happening to us. That is what we are here to do. If you don’t feel like you can trust us, you need to spend more time with us. Thank you to everyone who trusts me with their stuff, and thank you for letting me trust you with mine. Bivrakha (with blessing), B’nai Zion Page 1 M AY 2016/ NISAN - I YAR 5776 From Our President, Donald Posner The time has come and gone. This is my last monthly presidential message to y’all. The last two years have: a) flown by; b) felt like 20; c) been rewarding or d) all of the above. Pick one. Many thanks for allowing me to serve as your president. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Per the by-laws (both old and new) I have to give a yearly written report on the state of the congregation. I am happy to report: “all is well.” As the years have blended together and I have a short memory for most things, I would like to recap some of the highlights that have happened during this time. It goes without saying, but much too important not to acknowledge, that most of the following were accomplished without any of my direct assistance. Thanks to all of you who played a part. I was fortunate to represent B’nai Zion for many a Bar and Bat Mitzvah during my first year. I was also blessed to lead services twice during my term. What a joke – I mean my sermon for those who attended! We have successfully fulfilled our mission of providing a Jewish house of worship. The percent of membership who attend our High Holy Day Services is amazing. It is also heart- warming to see all who attend Friday night services, Torah study, Saturday morning services and our Religious School on Sunday. Many thanks to Rabbi Jana, Helaine Braunig, and all of those who plan, prepare and attend these and other functions including invited speakers, Chanukah celebrations, Purim carnival, Passover seder, book of the month club, Hebrew classes and more. This only mentions a small portion of what happens here. Thanks to a wonderful Sisterhood and Brotherhood for all of your hard work. Speaking of hard work, thanks to Jerie Black for planning our camp scholarship fundraiser. Thank you to all who donate to the Camp Scholarship Fund. Many of our functions have been possible because of the generous assistance of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation. Please thank their board members for sponsoring so many of our wonderful programs. During the last two years we have had our share of “things that need fixing.” Some of the work has been completed and other projects are on the agenda for the near future. We unveiled our beautiful Donor Wall to acknowledge those who generously gave toward the remodeling of our beautiful Sanctuary. The back parking lot has been repaved and restriped. Our dumpster has a new home. The front parking lot has new stripes and new handicap spots. (continued on next page) Page 2 M AY 2016/ NISAN - I YAR 5776 B’nai Zion From our President, Donald Posner (cont’d from page 2) All of our large air conditioning units have been replaced on the roof. New thermostats should help keep a pleasant environment. Our roofs have been patched and/or replaced. We are in the process of fixing inside ceilings and soundproofing Lefkowitz Hall to prepare for the installation of a new sound system. A huge new piece of playground equipment has been approved and will be installed in the very near future. All three of our sacred Torah scrolls have been repaired. This was long overdue. Ask the Rabbi to share the story of our oldest Torah. We have merged our Cemetery Trust and Foundation Trust into the auspices of the general congregation. The funds will remain segregated but this will make it much easier for future Boards to manage. In addition, our Board has approved a total rewrite of our by-laws. Plan to attend our annual meeting on May 22nd as these need to be approved by the congregation at that time. Financially, generous benefactors and a favorable stock market have blessed us. Despite spending a tremendous amount on the roofs and air conditioning units, I can report that we are solvent and can pay our bills! Finally, remember that at our meeting a year ago we secured the services of Rabbi Jana for another five years. A true blessing! Once again, thank you all for your assistance, attendance and positive attitude. It has been a pleasure. Shalom Y’all, B’nai Zion Board of Trustees 2015-2016 President Donald Posner Vice President Gary Abrams Treasurer Todd Muslow Secretary Kathy Plante Past President Craig Toys Sisterhood Bethany Sorkey Brotherhood Joe Badt, Jr. Jon Black Larry Evensky Rochelle Goldsholl Marla Hyman Sidney E. Kent Ann Maxey Anna Myers Jerald Perlman Harvey Rubin We proudly Barry Suckle use the ISJL Curriculum B’nai Zion Page 3 M AY 2016/ NISAN - I YAR 5776 From Our Educator, Helaine Braunig How can it be May already? Do the rest of you. feel, as I do, that the time between September and May gets shorter every year? Yet here we are – having just finished Passover and the end of Religious School is just around the corner, Sunday, May 15. The good news is that we’ve had a very successful year with excellent attendance and support from the families, tremendous talent and effort from our ISJL Education Fellow Abby Klionsky, and ongoing dedication from an outstanding group of teachers who support each other and their students. They are so dependable and so willing to go the extra mile, and they make my job a pleasure. For the first time that I can remember, we will have no Religious School Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 8). We have had significantly lower attendance on that day in recent years, and my annual Mother’s Day Tea/Brunch attracted fewer than usual attendees last year. That told me that families had other plans for the day and that many moms wanted to sleep in rather than come to an event in their honor. Teachers who are moms now get to stay home and celebrate, rather than grabbing a quick snack before spending their morning in the classroom.