Vol. 72, No. 4 December 2008 Kishlev-Tevet 5769 Vol. 82, No. 1 September/October 2018 Elul 5778/Tishri-Heshvan 5779 A Touch of Sweetness Israeli ArtFest Message from Rabbi Haaz Although most people understand A Celebration of The Madregot Program the High Holy Day season to be the and Israel at 70 most stressful and chaotic time for rabbis, I consider the opportunity to November 15 - 18 stand in front of the entire community, gathered together on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, to be one of the great privileges of being a rabbi. Each year, I am blessed with the opportunity to face the community and look out at all of the people who have come together to say goodbye to one year and hello to the next. As I scan the room and reflect on each face, I consider how blessed I am to share their triumphs and losses, sadnesses and joys. Because I have shared these moments of mourning and celebration, I think about the particular prayers that each person might offer on these days when our hearts are most open to God and God’s heart is most open to us. This year, as I face the Har Zion Gala Celebration Saturday, November 17 community on the High Holy Days for the first time, I will not yet know the faces in the room. I will not yet know the Rabbi Seth Haaz & Bonnie Rose Schulman, Honorary Chairs history of your family, the experiences that brought you Exclusive Art Show and Sale presenting Israeli artists in a to be where you are and who you are, or what occupies variety of media by the Safrai Gallery, Jerusalem your thoughts on this particular Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. When I look out on our Har Zion congregation Proceeds benefit the Madregot Program of during this High Holy Day season, I will see new faces and The Jane Fishman Grinberg Religious School and Israeli artists. the potential for new relationships. I will be eager to learn Watch for your invitation in the mail! about your experiences in 5778 and what you anticipate (Continued on page 5) Message from the President As I begin my second year as President at Har Zion Temple, I want to thank all of you for your constant support and encouragement as we embarked on a year of challenge and transition. I look back and recognize all of the changes that our synagogue has endured during these many months – changes in senior staff, changes in programming and changes within our congregation. Through it all, we have stood together, when at times it was not always easy. With growth, comes opportunity. We have managed to overcome with strength and I am enthusiastic for what the coming year brings. I am excited for Rabbi Haaz as he joins us as our new Senior Rabbi. We welcome him, along with his wife, Bonnie Rose and their daughters Sadie and Sophie into our Har Zion community. Rabbi Haaz will bring a new energy as he gets to know us. Please be patient as there are a lot of us to get to know! We will all work together to begin a new chapter at our shul. Har Zion Temple is a strong community, based on its members, our Clergy, our staff, our lay leadership and its congregants. We had an incredibly successful Patrons Event, “An Evening with The Capital Steps,” another popular “Open a Book... Open Your Mind” series, our monthly Joy of Shabbat and Shabbat Sha-Blue Jeans dinners, along with our Milton Pomerantz Interactive Torah Study, Cook for a Friend, Tot Shabbat, Talmud Classes, Tisch and Men's Club Minyannaires, just to name a few. We have an opportunity for learning, for connecting, for sharing and for participating in the many activities here at Har Zion Temple. Through these programs, we are able to study, grow, benefit and connect. It’s all about the connections. (Continued on page 5) RELIGIOUSLY SPEAKING . Shabbat Services and Activities September October Saturday, September 1 – 21 Elul Friday, October 5 – 27 Tishri 9:30 AM Morning Service 5:30 PM Shabbat Sha-Blue Jeans Service & Dinner 7:15 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv 8:15 PM Selihot Services at Beth Am Israel 8 PM Teen Dessert and Discussion Friday, September 7 – 28 Elul Saturday, October 6 – 27 Tishri 5:30 PM Shabbat Sha-Blue Jeans and NCCECE, JFGRS 9:30 AM Morning Service and LMAHH Extended the Summer BBQ Bat Mitzvah Molly Bluestein, daughter of 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv Debra & Mark Bluestein 9:30 AM Parashat Hashavuah Saturday, September 8 – 28 Elul 5:20 PM Parents and Kids Together 9:30 AM Morning Service 6:20 PM Minha/Ma'ariv/Havdalah 6:05 PM Parents and Kids Together 7:05 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah Friday, October 12 – 4 Heshvan 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv Friday, September 14 – 6 Tishri 6 PM Instrumental Service 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv 7 PM Joy of Shabbat Dinner Saturday, October 13 – 4 Heshvan Saturday, September 15 – 6 Tishri 9:30 AM Morning Service 9:30 AM Morning Service Bat Mitzvah Arielle Biran, daughter of Karnit & Joel Biran Bat Mitzvah Evyn Stone, daughter of Holly & Larry Stone 9:30 AM Learners Minyan 9:30 AM Learners Minyan 11 AM Nosh with Norman 11 AM Nosh with Norman 11:15 AM Tot Shabbat– Up to age 6 with parents 6:50 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah 6:10 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah Friday, September 21 – 13 Tishri Friday, October 19 – 11 Heshvan 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv 7 PM Congregational Oneg Shabbat 7 PM Congregational Oneg Shabbat Saturday, September 22 – 13 Tishri Saturday, October 20 – 11 Heshvan 9:30 AM Morning Service 9:30 AM Morning Service Bat Mitzvah Sofia Strayer, daughter of B’not Mitzvah Jillian and Jessica Stoloff, daughters of Michelle & Brett Strayer Dr. Vanessa & Ronald Stoloff 6:40 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah 6 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah 6:30 PM Parents Night Out Friday, September 28 – 20 Tishri Friday, October 26 – 18 Heshvan 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv Saturday, September 29 – 20 Tishri Saturday, October 27 – 18 Heshvan 9:30 AM Morning Service 9:30 AM Morning Service 6:30 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah Bat Mitzvah Ellie Shechtman, daughter of Patty & Ari Shechtman See page 4 for High Holiday schedule. 11:15 AM Tot Shabbat– Up to age 6 with parents 5:50 PM Minha/Ma’ariv/Havdalah Friday, October 12, November 9 following 6 PM Services All ages welcome! $10/ adult, $5/child under 13 RSVP by the Monday before to Harriet, 610-667-5000 or [email protected] or at harziontemple.ticketleap.com A small service fee will be charged for online reservations. 2 September/October 2018 Shabbat Learning Joy of Shabbat Speaker Series Nosh with Norman Friday, October 12 - TBD Saturdays, September 15, October 13, 11 AM-12 PM Friday, November 9 - Rabbi Ira Stone - 8:15 PM For our post Bar/Bat Mitzvah students In a relaxed, casual atmosphere, we will not only pick apart the challah in front of us, but also pick apart the Jewish headlines Teen Dessert and Discussion with Rabbi Shawn and current events of the day. Friday evenings, October 5, November 2, 8-9:30 PM For our Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students Join us for stimulating conversation and delicious desserts. Milton Pomerantz Interactive Torah Study Held in a congregant's home. Please contact the school office, [email protected], for the address. Saturdays, 1 PM Refreshments provided. This participant-led and organized study group wrestles If you would like to host this program, please contact with the meaning of the weekly portion. On the Shabbat of Rabbi Shawn, [email protected]. Rosh Hodesh it is led by Rabbi Shawn. Shabbat Talmud Class Learners Minyan with Rabbis Shawn and Moriah Study Talmud with Rabbi Charlestein in the Saturdays, September 15, October 13, November 17 Rudofker Library one hour before Minha. 9:30-10:30 AM Relaxed, Intimate, Responsive – If these are words you want to associate with a prayer service but are not able to yet, come and join us as we explore the service, the siddur and ourselves Parents & Kids Together Saturdays, September 8, October 6 and November 3 to make prayer more meaningful. One hour before Minha For 5th graders and above Parashat Hashavuah We will gather to sit around a table to eat a light Seudah Saturdays, October 6, November 3 (once a month) Shlishit (late Shabbat meal), read and discuss some wisdom 9:30-10:30 AM from rabbinic narrative sources, and enjoy each other’s Join Rabbi Moriah as she helps to unpack the biblical text company. We will then join the congregation for Minha using literary methods and rabbinic interpretations. through Havdalah. All are welcome! Shabbat Sha-Blue Jeans combined with the Weekday Post-Minyan Study NCCECE, JFGRS and LMAHH D’var T’filah (a “teaching about prayer”) Extend the Summer Dinner Tuesday after 7 AM Services Friday, September 7, 5:30 PM Hazzan Vogel will offer brief insights into the spiritual Services followed by a Sha-bar-becue Dinner dynamics of prayer focusing each time on why prayer is Shabbat Sha-Blue Jeans is a monthly opportunity to welcome difficult and what we can do about it. Shabbat with singing, dancing, prayer, and dinner, Congregants are invited to continue our exploration of this BYOB (Kosher). Jeans and casual attire encouraged! subject over breakfast in the Rudofker Library.