TEMPLE TIDINGS MEMBER Volume 26, Issue 7 March 2014 ~ Adar I & Adar II 5774 UNION for REFORM Monthly Newsletter of Congregation Beth Yam, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina JUDAISM “Don’t waste yourself in rejection nor bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good.” Ralph Waldo Emerson March 15, 2014 at 6:45 PM Come help us celebrate PURIM with the Cat in the Hat and other characters from Dr. Seuss’ collection of children’s books. There will be lots of costumes and hamantaschen. We hope to see you at our Seuss-tacular event! If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good. Dr. Seuss Immediately following... What's It All About, Esther? A new take on an old story with music by Burt Bacharach, Lyrics by Brick Steel, Luke Tepid, and Constable T. Constable, Written and directed by our own Gobby Cohen Gobby Cohen started out in Toronto's famed Second City working with John Candy and Martin Short and also starred in countless TV shows and commercials. He retired to Hilton Head in 2012, and is proud to be a member of CBY! Bat Mitzvah ~ March 8, 2014 My name is Ryan-Nicole and I am an Eighth Grade Honor Roll student at Hilton Head Island IB Middle School. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going to the movies, swimming, yoga, the beach and competing with family and friends on Kinect’s Just Dance series. As reading is a great passion of mine, I have chosen literacy as my Bat Mitzvah project, supporting the Literacy Volunteers of the Low Country. I have been working very hard on my Hebrew and am excited about my upcoming Bat Mitzvah on March 8th. I am asking those who attend the service to please bring a book donation to join my efforts in supporting literacy in the Low Country. Temple Tidings Save the Date Time Event April For those viewing the Tidings electronically, click on the blue hyper-links to take you to the event form. 1 6:30 PM New Member Orientation 3 11:00 AM Sisterhood Women’s Seder 3 7:00 PM Movie Night - Lies My Father Told Me 6 11:00 AM Religious School Model Seder 6 4:00 PM Israeli Art Auction 8 12:15 PM CBY Men’s Club Luncheon 9 11:30 AM Care Committee Senior’s Passover Program 12 10:00 AM Torah Study on Parashat Lech Lecha - A study session on the Passover Haggadah: Five conversations that you can use to enrich your Seder meal 15 Office Closed 15 10:00 AM Passover Festival Service 15 5:00 PM Passover Community Seder 19 9:30 AM Hot Topic Shabbat on Parashat Chol Hamoed - The state of human rights in the World Today 21 Office Closed 21 10:00 AM Yizkor Service 25 6:15 PM Fusion Shabbat Dinner 27 1:00 PM Yom HaShoah Service with Choir You Can Now Make CBY Donations Online Using Your Credit Card Congregation Beth Yam is now accepting donations to its General Operating Fund and other special funds using the internet and your own credit cards. Yes, you may still make donations by check using the hard copy donation form below and mailing it or hand-delivering it to the office; however, the online donation method offers convenience and a safe, secure, easy way to donate with a credit card. Here’s all you need to do. Click here and follow the guide for making a donation. The guide will direct you to the Congregation Beth Yam Donation Form. If you have any questions or experience any difficulties, please contact the office at [email protected]. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING DONATION: Please do NOT publish in the Tidings From: Please publish in the Tidings Address: Adult Education Care Committee Rabbi’s Discretionary In Honor of: Backpack Buddies Flower Rabbi’s Library Bellet Youth Friends of CBY Religious School In Memory of: Bilek Israel Event General - Unrestricted Religious School Special Send Card To: Projects Address: Building Expansion Landscape Ritual Cantor Music Tzedakah/Social Action SEND TO: Congregation Beth Yam, 4501 Meeting Street, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Caplan Dedicated Prayer Book Youth Group 2 Temple Tidings I cherish how to use those Rabbi’s Message moments of melancholy or the struggles of conscience about the Editor’s note: This is a wrap up of the interviews with world we live in to grow the Rabbi Bloom and some very personal feelings that I spiritual side of myself. Poetry and writing know we can all relate to. sermons or even just playing the flute gives me the opportunity to explore and expand my I have found that the most enduring life lessons often horizons about life. In some way all these arise from the struggle to overcome challenging experiences flow into the way I provide pastoral situations. Some say whatever is painful makes us care and lead this congregation towards fulfilling stronger. There is truth in that maxim. Others say, ‘no its potential. I feel motivated every day and night pain- no gain.’ Yet those who have advised me well that I am called on to assist and support my congregation. Even taught that whatever challenges originate out of difficult though I often hear people say to me, “I wouldn’t have your job situations can ultimately make us stronger and better human for a million dollars,” I laugh with them and smile. The beings. I heartily believe that sage advice. What is most congregational rabbinate is not for the faint of heart. It is a 24-7 important is that life does not permanently embitter us because job, but, when there is that partnership and mutual respect we all have situations we have had to cope with that threatened between rabbi and congregation the relationships and purpose to bring us to the dark side of life. Truthfully, I have experienced of being a rabbi is all the more enriched. those moments at times and, thankfully, they were few and far between. Yet, I did, nevertheless, face those ups and downs and Being a rabbi is a daily challenge and I fully recognize that even emerged, I believe, a better person for it. with my failings or the mistakes I make I am confident that this I feel blessed to have a congregation of so many who enjoy a was the right choice for me in my life’s work. All of you at Beth full life and already know that wisdom. Sometimes we go into a Yam make a difference for me and for each other. All our situation like a job or a relationship and despite the best imperfections help us in some mysterious way if we are open to intentions to make it work it does not happen as we hope. My change to emerge wiser in life and feel connected to the experiences, good and bad, taught me lessons about life and I wellsprings of Torah. What would life be if we were all perfect? strongly believe those experiences prepared me to be the best rabbi I could be and one that this congregation deserves. As the It would certainly be a boring world. I have believed that Psalmist said, “Kosi R’vayah,” or “My cup overflows.” I feel religious growth is not about the ends but about the journey. appreciative to have a good fit here and for a rabbi to succeed Sometimes life has its bumps and despite them we can, if we there has to be a certain kind of chemistry that works well pray, study and reflect diligently, overcome obstacles and move between rabbi and congregation. Of course no rabbi can please forward. When we have those precious moments, when we everyone and rabbis make mistakes, but when that chemistry sense that growth, one can experience the divine presence in works it is the best experience in the world and feels like a our lives. calling rather than a job. That is exactly how I feel about serving as Rabbi at Beth Yam. Rabbi Brad L. Bloom M.S.W. D. D. Torah Portion: March 15 March 22 10:00 AM 9:30 AM March 1 Parashat Pekude Parashat Tzav Parashat Shemini March 8 Parashat Vayikra March 15 Parashat Tzav Divine presence in the The death of March 22 Parashat Shemini sanctuary Aaron’s sons March 29 Parashat Tazria What is the “ideal” of holy Coping with and grieving for modern times? after an unexpected death 3 Temple Tidings Our by-laws can only be changed President’s Message by a congregational vote which requires all resident families to be Despite our unusually cold weather in February, notified in advance, a meeting activities were hot at CBY! For the first time we scheduled, proxies provided for any who can’t attend the established a new tradition with Shabbat Shirah, a tiny meeting and a majority vote to enact or change a by-law. tots service for kids from ages 0-5 led by Sarah Policies can be added, deleted or changed by a majority Bornstein. The service was lively and fun! It was followed vote of the Board of Directors. by a Fusion Shabbat dinner and service with the largest crowd Any congregant can attend the Board of Director meetings ever of over 100. It was wonderful having that many to observe the proceedings. Notice must be given to the congregants of multiple generations celebrating Shabbat President in advance to make sure space is available. together. Our Super Bowl party sponsored by the Men’s Club Softcopy of e-mail addresses, mailing labels or membership also had the largest crowd.