2008-2009 / 5769 Prog ram Book Professional Team: (Back row) David Passer, Cantor Hollis Schachner, Deena Bloomstone and Adam Smith. (Front row) Rachel Kest, Rabbi Greg Litcofsky and Rabbi Neal Gold. Administrative Team: Karen Edwards, Lucy Dube, Linda Goldbaum and Lois Seltzer. Page 2 ram Book Temple Shir Tikva 2008-200 9 / 5769 Professional and Table of Contents Administrative Teams Rabbi Neal Gold [email protected] Rabbi Greg Litcofsky [email protected] Jewish Explorations Weekend……………………………….4 Cantor Hollis Schachner [email protected] Introduction to Judaism………………………………………5 Rabbi Emeritus Herman Blumberg, Sunday Morning Learning Opportunities…....…………...6Opportunities…....…………...6----9999 [email protected] David Passer , ext. 214 Wednesday Morning Learning Opportunities…...………..10 Executive Director [email protected] Wednesday Evening Learning Opportunities...…………11Opportunities...…………11----12121212 Deena Bloomstone , ext. 201 Director of Congregational Temple Shir Tikva ME’AH Course………….………………13 Learning [email protected] Families With Young Children…………………………...14Children…………………………...14----15151515 Rachel Kest , ext. 203 Director of Elementary Religious School…………………………………………..16School…………………………………………..16----17171717 & Family Education [email protected] Youth Community………………………………………..18Community………………………………………..18----19191919 Adam Smith , ext. 202 Director of Youth and Worship/Choirs…………………………………………...20Worship/Choirs…………………………………………...20----21212121 Informal Education [email protected] Shabbat at Shir Tikva………………………………………...22 Lois Seltzer, ext. 210 Clergy Administrative Assistant Gathering……………………………………………………..23 [email protected] Brotherhood and Sisterhood……………………………24Sisterhood……………………………24----2525 Karen Edwards , ext. 200 Office Administrator [email protected] Tikkun Olam…………. ……………………………………..26 Linda Goldbaum, ext. 211 Committees of Temple Shir Tikva………………………….27 Office Administrator [email protected] Board of Trustees & Committee Chairs……………………28 Lucy Dube , ext. 215 Bookkeeper bookkeeper@shirtikva. org Mike Buianowski, Custodian Design and layout by Peggi Cohen. Editing and proofreading by Peggi Cohen, and David Passer. Julio Machado, Custodian Cover design by Joel Sadagursky Page 3 2008-2009 / 5769 Prog ram Book Jewish Explorations Weekend Adult Purim Extravaganza March 20, 21, 22 Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Dr. Neil Gillman Traces of God: Exploring the Dimensions of Jewish Theology For years, many at Shir Tikva have dreamed of an adults-only Purim event where we could dress up in cos- tume and come together for food, drink, dancing and the joyousness that is integral to Purim celebration. The time has finally come! The Gathering groups – Reyim, Ku- lam, Sisterhood and Brotherhood – will be working to put together a memorable event and an enchanting eve- ning. Reserve this date on your calendar now. It isn’t too early to start thinking about the fabulous costume that his year Shir Tikva welcomes Dr. Neil Gill- will amaze your friends. If you’d like to be involved in T man as our Jewish Explorations Scholar-in- the planning, contact a chairperson of one of the Gather- Residence. A native of Quebec City, Dr. Gillman gradu- ing groups or Elaine Paster, Vice President – Gathering. ated from McGill University in 1954, was ordained at This will be a night that people will remember for years Jewish Theological Seminary in 1960, and received his to come, and could become a Shir Tikva tradition. PhD in Philosophy from Columbia University in 1975. (Please note that our Purim megillah reading and festive Purim oneg, an event for the entire family, will be held on Dr. Gillman is the author of several books and essays, Monday evening, March 9.) including Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew (winner of the 1991 National Jewish Book Award in Jewish Thought); Conservative Juda- Lag B’Omer Field Day and BBQ ism: A New Century; The Way Into Encountering God Saturday, May 16 in Judaism; Gabriel Marcel on Religious Knowledge; late afternoon and early evening The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in rd Jewish Thought ; and The Jewish Approach to God: A Lag B’Omer, literally the 33 day of the counting of Brief Introduction for Christians . His most recent book the Omer, between Passover and Shavout, is a multifac- eted holiday. Traditionally, Lag B’Omer is one of the few is Traces of God: Seeing God in Torah, History, and days between Passover and Shavout when couples can Everyday Life . marry and when a male child, having attained his third He has been a regular contributor to the "Sabbath birthday, has his hair cut for the first time. Week" column in the Jewish Week , and is also chair of Traditions of Lag B’Omer are also centered on Rabbi the Sh'ma Advisory Committee. He was a member of Akiva and his disciple Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, one of the Commission on the Philosophy of Conservative Ju- the few to survive the Bar Kochba revolt. In the Middle daism, which produced Emet Ve'Emunah , the first state- Ages, this led some to consider Lag B’Omer a special ment of principles for Conservative Judaism. holiday for students and scholars. In modern Israel, Lag B’Omer is a school holiday. A popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Gillman has Students and teachers go outside and play games. Fami- served as scholar in residence in many Conservative and lies gather for picnics outdoors. Bonfires are lit and peo- Reform congregations. In the summer of 2002, Dr. Gill- ple of all ages gather to celebrate. man taught two courses on the philosophies of Mordecai The Shir Tikva community will celebrate Lag B’Omer Kaplan and Abraham Joshua Heschel at the Russian and the end of the religious school year (the last day of State University of the Humanities in Moscow on behalf school is the next day, May 17) late on Shabbat afternoon of Project Judaica. Dr. Gillman is the Aaron Rabinowitz for outdoor fun and games, to picnic, to celebrate our stu- and Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Jewish Philosophy at dents and teachers and end with a bonfire. The celebration JTS. will be held at Shir Tikva and on the Camp Chickami property adjacent to the temple. Page 4 ram Book Temple Shir Tikva 2008-200 9 / 5769 Shir Tikva Players Are Back! A team of talented performers and artists will be staging a production of “Fiddler on the Roof” on May 2 and 3 at TST in honor of the 30th Anniversary of Temple Shir Tikva. The TST Players began many years ago performing musical productions of various Purim Spiels and locally written scripts at TST. After a several year hiatus they are coming back to put on a traditional musical production we have all known and loved. Look for an upcoming announcement for the organizing meeting in late September. Tryouts will be held in October and rehearsals will begin in mid January 2009. We need actors, dancers, musicians and behind the scenes creative artists as well as lots of people who just want to have fun (no experience necessary). If you are interested (or know someone that is interested), email us at [email protected] and let us know so we can add you to our email list. Get ready to have a lot of fun with your fellow congregants. Mark your calendars for May 2 and 3 for Fiddler on the Roof (Temple Shir Tikva Style). INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM Sunday Mornings at Temple Shir Tikva Beginning September 21, 9:15.-12:15 Rabbi Neal Gold, Rabbi Greg Litcofsky, Rabbi Lev Ba’esh Who should enroll in our INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM class? •Jewish People who desire to learn the basic rubrics of Jewish life, history, ritual, and faith •People who are not Jewish but have Jewish people whom they love in their lives, and want to know “what it’s all about” •People who are not Jewish but are considering converting to Judaism •Anybody who is simply curious about Jews and Jewish life The Union for Reform Judaism’s Introduction to Judaism provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about Jewish history, traditions, holidays, life-cycle ceremonies and some basic Hebrew. Participants will gain comfort and familiarity with the symbols, liturgy, traditions and Hebrew blessings that accompany Jewish celebrations in the home and synagogue. This in-depth, twelve week course is taught by leading area rabbis. This course is designed for individuals and couples wishing to explore Judaism, as well as for those individuals anticipating conversion. Interfaith couples are encouraged to take this course together. To enroll or to request additional information, contact Beth Kozinn at (781) 449-0404 or [email protected] . Introduction to Judaism is a program of the Union for Reform Judaism - Reform Jewish Outreach It is supported in part by a grant from Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. The cost is $275/individual or $360/couple (scholarships are available). Page 5 2008-2009 / 5769 Prog ram Book Adult Education Sunday Morning Learning Opportunities Does ‘Israel’ Mean More Than Unchosen: One Thing? Tales of Former Chasidim Differing Conceptions of the Meaning of Jewish“Peoplehood” October 26, 9 a.m. November 16, 9 a.m. Malkie Schwartz Dr. David Starr alkie Schwartz is the Founder and Execu- tive Director of Footsteps, Inc. Footsteps DDD M oes 'Israel' mean more than one thing? Jews is a non-profit organization that provides educational, sometimes mean different things within the idea of vocational, social and emotional support to individuals "Jewish.” This class will study a correspondence seeking to enter or explore the world beyond the insu- between David Ben Gurion and a professor at lar ultra-orthodox communities in which they were Brandeis, Simon Rawidowicz, in the 1950s, in which raised. they argued over the name "Israel." Does the state of Israel own that name? If so, does With the understanding that each and every person that separate and segment the Jewish people who comes to the organization has a unique experi- into different components, by geographical location, ence, Malkie will describe some of the more common (Israel v.