1203 Comanche Drive Temple Beth - El Rockford, Illinois 61107 815-398-5020 Mission Statement: Temple Beth-El is a congregation of Jews and their families building a community committed to participation in all aspects of Jewish life. By community, we mean a group of diverse people who share a strong connec- tion fostered by Temple Beth-El. By participation, we mean Bulletin that all members will partake in and support the spiritual, February 2015 12 Shevat - 9 Adar 5775 cultural, educational and social life of Temple Beth-El. Temple Adds New Position By Jay Sklar As noted in the President’s article, the Temple board in January approved the creation Chaverim, of a position called The Temple Facilitator. We In January, we have a very active, vibrant Temple and an active witnessed, unfortunately, Congregation, but as many of us know, it is impos- another terrorist attack sible to know everything. It is also difficult to volun- against Jews, this time in teer to chair programs and committees because Paris, France. When you aren’t familiar with how they operate. We often journalists were murdered aren’t even sure how to get into the building during at the Charlie Hebdo off hours and how to turn on or off some lights. The Facilitator is not a board position, a chairman headquarters, many posted or committee member, but an aid to all of these and on social media “Je Suis more. Temple has been lucky to have a few peo- Charlie” (I am Charlie) in ple who, because of many years of participation, solidarity. When just days are more aware than others. The goal of this two later, Jews were killed at a From Rabbi Binah Wing year pilot program is to help volunteers and every- kosher supermarket, there one else do their jobs more easily and with less was hardly anyone, other than Jews, posting “Je Suis work. We also hope that not reinventing the wheel Juif” (I am Jewish). This may make us feel angry, every time we do a project, will also be more cost abandoned and afraid. What, then, do we do about it? efficient. We will accomplish this by creating a data How do we react? base of everything we do and how we do it. A very simple way to explain it is that we will create histori- On Kol Nidre, I spoke on the topic of responding cal data on all of our events and “how to” infor- to Antisemitism. Here is, in part, something that I said: mation for basic operations to help you with your “If, as Jews, all we have is to hide away in darkness, then interactions with Temple. we have nothing. If our sole The Facilitator will also be close by to answer reason for existence is to fight We are bound questions and offer suggestions. I look forward to off those who espouse hatred getting this program off the ground to the benefit of against us, then should that by a powerful us all. I expect your calls and questions and will hatred go away, so goes our covenant look forward to your feedback as we move forward. only purpose. In addition, by Please feel free to contact me anytime at hiding away, we complete the which calls us 815.218.9106, [email protected] or [email protected]. Antisemite's work. We go away. Instead, we must to be partners INSIDE THIS ISSUE: remember the beauty and with God in President’s Message 3 richness and holiness of this Service Schedule 14 gift we have been given. Yes, making this From the Board of Directors 2 friends, a gift. We must sing world a better Religious School News 4 out loud. The voices of our Friends of Temple Beth-El 11,12 tradition are strong and un- place in which Birthdays & Anniversaries 5 yielding -- we are to be a light unto the nations. To forever let to live. Yahrzeits and Contributions 6 our light of truth and goodness, Calendar 15 of ethical and moral teachings, be a guide for all of T EMPLE B ETH-E L B ULLETIN P AGE 2 From the Temple humanity. We are bound by a powerful covenant Board…. which calls us to be partners with God in making this world a better place in which to live. For every By Secretary Ellen Salley single being on this wondrous planet. We can't be The Temple board a light to the nations, fulfilling our destiny as a met on January 14th, 2015. people, if the brightness never sees the light of The board listened to a day.” phone conference presented My point in that part of the sermon was by David Katowitz from the simple. The way to respond to those who wish us URJ. The conversation was about how to interest harm is to live our Judaism even more out loud more Temple members in leadership roles. With than before. The world needs the messages that that idea in mind, the board voted to hire a Temple we offer. We lose and the haters win when we shy facilitator to place all the different aspects of the away from being who we are. Temple on a computer data base. That way any Connected with that idea is the sermon that member who might be interested in a position at the I delivered on Erev Rosh Hashanah – Be more Temple can look up what that position includes. It Jewish. In that sermon, I encouraged everyone to would also contain information on simple things like engage more actively in their Jewish lives. One how to turn off the Temple lights. The board hired idea that I focused on Jay Sklar to be the facilitator. was saying Kaddish. Brina then called the meeting to order. The Jewish obligation is The way to Joel Rosenfeld will no longer be our Temple to recite Kaddish for librarian. Anyone who is interested in the position your relatives yourself. respond to may contact Brina. Joel is willing to help someone Having your loved one’s get started. name read by strangers those who Rabbi will be attending a meeting at isn’t enough. You must OSRUI for the faculty since she will be there this do it yourself. wish us summer. She is also attending Midwest Association And here we can of Reform Rabbis conference in Scottsdale, then connect the two harm is to Arizona. Members will be leading the Friday night services in her absence. ideas. Our ancestors, The Temple Passover Seder will be held distant and more recent, live our th treasured their Jewish on Saturday April 4 . Plans are underway for this faith. We need to honor Judaism event. their memory and what The Sunday school students enjoyed the they lived and died for even more Hanukkah party and the presentation about OSRUI by living more Jewishly. given beforehand. If you haven’t already done so, They said Kaddish for out loud sign up for the Schnucks e-Scrip program by going their relatives and we to the service counter. The money goes directly to the Sunday School, and there is no cost to you. So need to say Kaddish for than before. them. It’s one small far, the Sunday School receives about $50 to $60 a way that we can continue to keep Judaism alive month. for the generations to come. It’s a simple and GRTY celebrated Hanukkah at Shogun easy way to allow the light of Judaism to continue and had fun. The executive board received leader- to illuminate our world. I hope to see you at ship training and found it informative. services soon. We hope you enjoyed “Minute with a Member” in last months bulletin. Look for that column this month and see who is featured. Shalom, Donations of school supplies or money for Spring Rabbi Wing Creek school will be collected until the end of January. Don’t forget the social at the Zussman house on January 31st. Food-a-Rama is beginning with an organizational meeting being held on January 28th. Finally, don’t forget to continue to bring in your rummage for the March sale. T EMPLE B ETH-E L B ULLETIN P AGE 3 . There may be a time Brina’s when one of us might We Need Volunteers!! Bits be asked to chair a committee or a fundraiser or asked to Mark your do something as simple as turning off the lights calendars! at Temple. When that person says “yes”, and Rummage Sale then realizes he/she doesn’t know the first thing about the committee, the fundraiser or March 26th, where the light switches might be, who can that 27th and 29th person ask for help? At the January board meeting, the Temple Board approved a proposal for a new position. This position would We are still accepting be for a Temple Facilitator. The purpose of the Temple Facilitator would be to provide a “go to” rummage through March person who can help members understand what they need to know about a position and to document the activities at Temple for future Drop off your clothing, furniture, reference. It could be something as simple as being given instructions on turning the lights on household items, etc. NOW! and off. I am pleased to announce that Jay Sklar will be the Temple Facilitator. Jay has already proved to be the “go to” person for We cannot accept Old TVs or com- many of us. Please look for Jay’s article in this edition of the bulletin.