March 2009 ~ Adar/Nisan 5769 A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT Limmud Atlanta Impressions of the Food Festival A splendid opportunity to deepen our understanding of Judaism in a remarkable conference As I write this, I have just coming up in Atlanta has come to my attention. The returned home from the exhausting conference, called “Limmud Atlanta,” is organized but exhilarating 6th Annual Jewish Food Festival. around Torah lishmah, literally “learning for its own Surveying the hall before the opening, with dozens of sake.” Most conferences carry a theme; Limmud does TBO members [and some dedicated non-members!] not. Instead, approximately 70 speakers and teachers standing at the ready, I was profoundly moved at this from many walks of life and areas of expertise gather moment of culmination of months of hard work by so for a full day of programs, seminars and discussions many. Now all we needed was some 2,000 visitors, covering almost every aspect of Jewish life and and the picture would be complete! tradition. The conference is set for Saturday evening, March 21 and all day Sunday, March 22 at Oglethorpe Visitors we had. My role was to speak to University. For a very nominal fee ($36 until March 6, groups in the sanctuary about Judaism, answer $45 after) you can participate in Torah lishmah with questions, and show our visitors around. Many of our over 70 presenters; sessions are also available for guests expressed warm gratitude for opening our teens. For those going overnight, Limmud has temple in this way and sharing something of our reserved rooms at the Residence Inn in Buckhead (404- heritage and tradition with the community. For many, 239-0677) with the special rate of $99 available until our Food Festival represents the only opportunity some March 9. I hope that some of our members will take of our guests have to interact with Jews and learn advantage of this rare opportunity. As we read in the something of our heritage - to the obvious benefit of Mishnah [2nd c.], “A boor who is learned takes all. The warmth was genuine and palpable, and aside precedence over an ignorant high priest.” from the funds that were raised made the day well For more information, take a look at the worth the extensive effort. Limmud website, at http://www.limmudse.org/mc/ page.do and especially make sure to click on the Elliot L. Stevens “News” to read about past events and get a real flavor of the experience. When you consider attending, remember that Saturday, March 7 Judaism has been associated with learning and Monthly Shabbat knowledge since our beginnings as a people. It is not Morning Service for nothing that we have been called the “People of the Book.” Sayings in our tradition abound on the Come to a special Shabbat morning service and Torah study importance of education: “No one is poor except he with Rabbi Stevens and co-led who lacks knowledge”; “an ignorant person cannot be with Rabbi Selig Salkowitz. The pious”; “A scholar takes precedence over a king of discussion topic will be: Israel, for if a scholar dies no one can replace him, MORALS AND MITZVAH: A while if a king dies, all Israel is eligible for kingship.” JEWISHLY COMMANDED Each of these statements is more than 1,500 years old. LIFE STYLE, based on the weekly Torah portion "T'tsaveh." Light brunch served. Volume 157, Number 9 March 2009 ~ Adar/Nisan 5769 TBO President’s Message Our sixth annual Temple Beth Or Food Festival and Treasure Market was a tremendous success! We were blessed with a beautiful day in which record numbers of Celebrating Our 157th Year visitors were welcomed into our house of worship to ELLIOT L. STEVENS, D. D., RABBI learn, socialize, shop, and most importantly, eat. Many David A. Baylinson, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus thanks to our Food Festival Committee Chairperson, Temple Beth Or Officers Susan Bernstein whose diligence and attention to every Morris Capouya ...............................................President aspect of the event guaranteed its success, the “core” Jenny Ives ...............................Vice-President Programs Jamie Loeb............................... Vice-President: Finance group of cooks and bakers who prepared wonderful food Russell Levy ................................................... Treasurer in their homes and in the Temple Kitchen, and to all the Gracie Hanchrow.............................................Secretary volunteers who assisted in the operation on the day of the Alan Weil, Jr.......................... Immediate Past President Board of Trustees event. I also want to thank and ask that you support our Gay Winter ........................................... Adult Education event sponsors, Publix Supermarkets and Sterling Bank, Lynne Ginsburg ...............Arts, Decorations & Archives whose generous contributions are critical to our success. Sharon McDaniel....................Attendance & Hospitality Charles Strasburger..........................................Cemetery Steve Wallace ................................................... Grounds A successful Food Festival is vital not only in terms of Richard Hanan ......................................................House positive exposure within our community, but it also Karen Goldstein.......................................... Membership generates net proceeds that amount to about 5% of our Kent Long.................................... Men’s Club President Sharon Berry.........................Religion School & Library annual operating budget. The Temple’s executive Lisa Weil........................................Sisterhood President committee and board of trustees will be planning our Louisa Weinrib ......... Social Concerns/L’Chaim League budget in the coming weeks for 2009/2010 that our Joy Kaplan .....................................Youth & Scholarship Temple Beth Or Staff congregation will vote upon at our annual meeting on Gina Friday.................................. Temple Administrator May 17, 2009. It is incumbent on every member to Sharon Berry........................... Religion School Director move Temple Beth Or to the top of your own personal Linda Smith ......................................... L’Chaim League Walter Osborne...........................Maintenance Manager budget hierarchy and not rationalize an adjustment in Elizabeth French ..................Organist & Choir Director your annual dues due to the economy. I am confident Office Hours that we run a very efficient operation at Temple Beth Or Monday CLOSED Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 9-5 and provide good value to its members. Fridays 9-2 As always, I welcome your comments, advice, and 2246 Narrow Lane Road Montgomery, Alabama 36106 suggestions about how we can improve our Temple. (334) 262-3314 Tel (334) 263-5183 Fax Best regards, Office: [email protected] Rabbi: [email protected] Morris E. Capouya www.templebethor.net President Please call Gina Friday at 262-3314 to report any corrections Contributions to Funds ANNIVERSARIES YAHRZEITS We greatly appreciate the people who support Temple Beth Or by remembering 8 ..........Jeanette & Richard Hanan To be read 3/6/2009 and honoring their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions. 14 Bette Sue & Charles Dr. I. E. Capilouto Those that are received after the 20th of the Strasburger Dr. Howard J. Goldstein month will be in the next bulletin. 17 ...... Felice & Isaac Cohen Raymond and Helen Goodman 17 ...... Joan & Jim Loeb Sidney W. Kohl GENERAL FUND 23 ...... Lisa & Ward Newcomb Simon Nyman In Honor of Sisterhood’s 24 ...... Beverly & David Lipton Alan Rice 60th Anniversary Richard Adler Rothschild Irene and Rabbi Scott Kramer - - - - - - - - - - Janis Sabel Leo K. Shwarts GITENSTEIN FOUNDATION BIRTHDAYS Martha L. Stone In Honor of the 3 ...............Mark Franco Ann Tillinger Alan Weil Family 2............. Kelly Capouya Ann & Seymour Gitenstein 3............. Tommy Wool To be read 3/13/2009 Foundation, Inc. 4............. Bob Sommer Alex Jacob Cohn 6............. Corinne F. Capilouto H. Van E. Hart In Memory of 6............. Hobbie Freehling Julia Pake Adolph Weil, Jr. 6............. Evalynn Monsky Bernice Schulwolf Ann & Seymour Gitenstein 7............. Robin Blitz Foundation, Inc. 7............. Leo Drum To be read 3/20/2009 In Honor of 7............. Laurie Weil Jay Coleman Carol Hart 10........... Betty Loeb Natalie Moster Davis Ann & Seymour Gitenstein 15........... Michael Capilouto Roslyn Eagle Foundation, Inc. 15........... Karen Goldstein Van Eaton Hart 16........... Myrna Rothfeder Alphonse Levy RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY 20........... Philip Bernstein Benjamin Sheftall FUND 22........... Gracie Hanchrow Susie Neumann Warren Good Health 23........... Sharon McDaniel Richard Hanan 24........... Clare Weil To be read 3/27/2009 Bette Sue and Charles Strasburger 29........... Beverly Bolen Mathilda I. Cohen 30........... Peggy Cohn Walker Hobbie, Jr. In Honor of 31........... Lee Hanan Dorothy L. Klein Rabbi Stevens 31........... Celia Wool Beatrice (Dee Dee) Kohn Bette Sue and Charles Strasburger Myron C. Lobman SELMA MARCUS FUND - - - - - - - - - - Evelyn Richard Loeb Regina Kahn Loeb In Memory of Birthday and Anniversary Ann Roth Seymour M. Schafer Marks Marcus Blessings on March 6th. - - - - - - - - - - In Memory of Ann Roth - - - - - - - - - - Phyllis Applefield - - - - - - - - - We would like to know. Please call the temple office when a family member is in the hospital or ailing. Too often we find out about illnesses, crises and hospitalizations long after they occur. This is a missed opportunity for the