January 2010 ~ Tivet/Shvat 5770 A VIEW FROM THE BIMAH BAR AND BAT MITZVAH – NOT The tradition of marking the transition to JUST FOR CHILDREN! religious maturity with a special service Earlier in my rabbinate I served a very small part-time and celebration go back only a few congregation in a rural area about two hours north of New hundred years, originating in Poland and York City. Perhaps the most memorable service there was elsewhere in Eastern Europe. one Shabbat when I called to the Torah a gentleman in his mid-70’s in celebration of his bar mitzvah. As one who But aside from understanding bar/bat had been highly assimilated in his younger years (as an mitzvah on an intellectual plain, think of executive on Wall Street), this first aliyah of his life was a what it means emotionally. Here is a ritual that everyone moving and emotional experience for all, representing his can love; one that can move us to tears and touch the soul reconnection with Judaism after many years on the as few rituals in Jewish life can. With all the planning and periphery. We now offer the same opportunity here in hard work, we celebrate the achievement of succeeding at a Montgomery. challenge, but also our reconnection with and pride in our Judaism in ways that we may find surprisingly profound. In one sense, the characterization of a bar mitzvah as an And, of course, there will have to be plenty of food! event continues a common misunderstanding, along the lines of phrases like “I was bar-mitzvahed” or even “she Here at Temple Beth Or there are many adults who, for had a bat mitzvah,” as if bar/bat mitzvah is a noun or a one reason or another, have not yet been called to the Torah verb. But bar mitzvah (or bat mitzvah) is neither; rather, it for an aliyah, or learned to read from the Torah or from our is a status that one achieves in Judaism by virtue of Hebrew prayers. Accordingly, I plan to offer a bar/bat reaching a certain age. In other words, in Jewish tradition mitzvah class for adults. This class will conclude with a one becomes “bar mitzvah” even without any ceremony, group service, sharing in the reading of that week’s service or ritual. One becomes “bar mitzvah” or “bat Torah portion. It should be a grand occasion – a real mitzvah” as a state of being. celebration. This class will offer participants the opportunity to learn to read Hebrew, then read prayers What does this mean? In Jewish practice, certain mitzvot – and the Torah itself, and prepare a suitable teaching of commandments, or sacred obligations – come into play at Torah commentary. We will meet weekly, perhaps for the age of religious maturity. For example, before the age 12-18 months (with some breaks!). If you just want to of 13 one may fast on Yom Kippur; after the age of 13, if learn to read Hebrew, by the way, you are welcome to one takes these practices and obligations seriously, one attend just those classes, if you wish; if you already read must fast. The age of religious majority also brings certain Hebrew but haven’t yet read Torah or had an aliyah, you privileges: children may not be called to the Torah until are welcome to attend just that part. It would be great if we the age of 13, but are eligible from the age of 13 on; these can create a group of students who together go through this provisions, which traditionally applied to boys, were program. extended to girls first with the Reconstructionist Movement in the 1920’s, later also in Reform and Conservative Our next bar mitzvah, by the way, is coming up on March 6 Judaism. as Jack Loeb is called to read Torah and recite the appropriate prayers for the first time. Shabbat Morning Services To join this new program, please RSVP to Gina Friday Saturday morning, January 30th, Rabbi Stevens (along ([email protected]) or directly to me with Student Cantor Andrea Markowicz) will lead a ([email protected]) no later than Tuesday Shabbat morning service (see corresponding article on January 19. I will then survey the group as to availability, page 4), including Torah reading and Torah and call a first organizational meeting in early February. study. Service including Torah study and a light brunch will run from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. Volume 158, Number 7 January 2010 ~ Tivet/Shvat 5770 TBO PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Shalom, Celebrating Our 158th Year I hope that everyone enjoyed special moments with family and friends over this past holiday season. The Temple hosted our annual ELLIOT L. STEVENS, D. D., RABBI Thanksgiving service with First United Methodist Church followed Andrea Rae Markowicz, Student Cantor by a wonderful reception that was praised by our guests and David A. Baylinson, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus members alike. A few weeks later, we held our annual Chanukah Temple Beth Or Officers Shabbat and Latke Dinner at the Temple which was very well- Morris Capouya ...............................................President attended. We listened to wonderful melodies sung by Cantor Jenny Ives ............................. Vice-President: Programs Markowicz while munching on the finest latkes in town. Both of Jamie Loeb............................... Vice-President: Finance Steve Wallace ................................................. Treasurer these events were very successful and I want to officially offer my Corinne C. Capilouto.......................................Secretary sincere gratitude to the Sisterhood Committees responsible for the Alan Weil, Jr.......................... Immediate Past President hospitality (and food) provided at each of these key events. Board of Trustees Gay Winter ........................................... Adult Education The NEXT big event on our calendar is our Annual Food Festival Lynne Ginsburg ...............Arts, Decorations & Archives and Treasure Market. I am looking forward to having another highly Sharon McDaniel....................Attendance & Hospitality successful event this year as we have a few new items in store for Charles Strasburger..........................................Cemetery our guests. However, we need every Temple Family to commit their Rusty Levy........................................................ Grounds time, resources and energy in support of this vital Temple Ricky Loeb ...........................................................House fundraising and outreach project. There are opportunities to assist Karen Goldstein.......................................... Membership Kent Long.................................... Men’s Club President with baking or cooking during the weeks leading up to the event, so Sharon Berry.........................Religion School & Library please note the schedules published within this bulletin. We also Lisa Weil........................................Sisterhood President need help leading up to and on the day of the event, so volunteer Louisa Weinrib ......... Social Concerns/L’Chaim League now by contacting Karen Goldstein. If you can’t volunteer, then Joy Kaplan .....................................Youth & Scholarship there are other avenues in which you can make a difference by Temple Beth Or Staff becoming a sponsor of the Food Festival. Gina Friday.................................. Temple Administrator Andrea Rae Markowicz ..........................Student Cantor Our religious school has just completed the first semester of its Sharon Berry........................... Religion School Director school year under the direction of our co-directors, Sharon Berry Linda Smith ......................................... L’Chaim League and Lani Ashner. The Temple hosted the first semester in our Marlon Cotton.............................Maintenance Manager Elizabeth French .................. Organist & Choir Director facility and the second semester will be hosted at Agudath Israel-Etz Office Hours Ahayem. We have had a great start to the year and I am confident Monday CLOSED that we are effectively delivering quality Jewish Education to our Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 9-5 youth. I want to thank all the educational staff for their successful Friday 9-2 efforts. 2246 Narrow Lane Road Montgomery, AL 36106 Best regards, (334) 262-3314 Tel (334) 263-5183 Fax Office: [email protected] Morris E. Capouya Rabbi: [email protected] www.templebethor.net Dear Temple Family, The Renaissance Please call Gina Friday at 262-3314 to report any corrections 3755 Peachtree Road NE #1203 or inaccuracies in the bulletin. Thank you for all the support, Atlanta, Georgia 30319 energy and love you have given me Cell (334) 207-8434 SEPHARDIC COOKBOOK all these years. I have a smile on The Food Fest is planning to add a section devoted my face from all the smiles to Sephardic recipes to our very successful cookbook, “L'Dor V'Dor, From Generation to (and hugs) you have given me. Generation.” With love, Please send your recipes to Louisa Weinrib or to the Carol Temple office during the next three months. For questions call 262-6155. Thank you! 2 Contributions to Funds GENERAL FUND We greatly appreciate the people who In Honor of support Temple Beth Or by remembering Marion Shinbaum's Birthday and honoring their friends and loved ones Roz Caplan and Ed Simon Birthday and Anniversary Blessings through their generous contributions. Those that are received after the 20th of the In Memory of on January 8th. month will be in the next bulletin. Dr. Morris N. Capouya - - - - - - - - - - Anne and Herman Franco ANNIVERSARIES BEDTIME BUNDLES L'CHAIM LEAGUE Donation In Honor of Carol and Jamie Loeb Bubba Marcus' Birthday 7 .....Jane Rothschild & Mario Castura Joan and Jim Loeb 16 ...Robin & Jeff Blitz BLANCHE WINTER FUND 17 ...Corinne & Larry Capilouto Speedy Recovery PRAYERBOOK FUND - - - - - - - - - - Joe Epstein In Honor of BIRTHDAYS Gay and Irving Winter Carol Hart's Birthday Gay and Irving Winter CAROL LOBMAN HART FUND In Memory of 3 ......... Eliot Capouya In Honor of Barbara Marcus and 3 .......Linda Herzfeld Carol Hart's 85th Birthday Debbie Marcus 4 .......Joseph Levin, Jr. Kay and Marge Koch & Gay and Irving Winter 6 .......Peggy Mussafer Pat Sloane Shirley B. Beringer In Memory of 7 .......Ruth Rosenthal Joe and Corinne Capilouto B. Frank Loeb (Husband) 10 .....Bette Sue Strasburger Kathie and Raymond Cohen Joan S. Loeb 11 .....Michael Behrman Mr.