VOLUME 60 EDITION 4 1 December 2017

12 Heshvan 5778

Congregation Sha’arai Shomayim Founded 1844Springhill Avenue Temple

The Temple Bulletinspringhillavenuetemple.com

We are coming together as a caring, inclusive community united in a common commitment to Judaism and to furthering our spiritual growth. We desire to do this recognizing that worship of God, study of Torah, caring for the Jewish people and our community, are central to our being as a Reform Jewish congregation. With these principles as our foundation and guided by a historic past, we anticipate our future, one of continual lifelong self-renewal.

RELIGIOUS SERVICESFriday, December 1 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

with the Congregational Choir

Saturday, December 2 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Breakfast – No bacon pancakes, two eggs over easy w/home fries & avocado

10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Friday, December 8 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

Friday, December 15 6:00 p.m. Hanukkah Family Servicewith the Congregational ChoirReligious School play - “Hanukkah – The Miracle of the Candles”Dinner to follow

Friday, December 22 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

Friday, December 29 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

The Temple offices will be closed onMonday, December 25 and Monday, January 1.

Torah Selection: Genesis 32:4 – 36:43

Haftarah – Obadiah 1:1 - 21

ALL SHABBAT SERVICES ARE CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES.PLEASE JOIN US IN WORSHIP

FROM THE RABBIThe Mystery of Hanukkah

he mystery of Hanukkah is that the ritual that we associate with the holiday – the kindling of the Hanukkah lights

for eight nights – is not mentioned in any of the historical works describing the rededication of the Temple. It is only much later in Talmudic literature written down, perhaps 350 years after the Maccabean rebellion, that we read the legend of the Maccabees entering the Temple and discovering all the jugs of oil for lighting the menorah had been defiled. They re-purified the Temple and then went looking for any purified oil that they could find to light the fire in the Temple. To their dismay they could not find anything and then finally they found one small cruse of oil, which had enough oil to keep the fire burning for one day.

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Well, you know the story about the miracle. The flame miraculously burned not for one day but for eight whole days until new pure oil could be brought in from the Galilee and that is why we light eight candles, one at a time, going from the first night through the eighth night. It is certainly one of the ceremonies I remember growing up and I am sure most of us feel the same way.

It is a fascinating holiday in that it is based on real historical events. In fact, interestingly enough, those historical events may not conform to the religious messages that we are trying to convey. That doesn’t bother me at all. Adding to the complexity of our tradition and

even introducing a bit of unintentional ambiguity adds nuance and forces us to reflect. In a post-modern world, we know that not everything is as it seems. And yet, it is a wonderful holiday for celebrating for both adults and children.

There is also the custom of eating fried foods in commemoration of the miracle of the oil, which is usually latkes or potato pancakes. In Israel there is sufganiyot and doughnuts, both of which are fried. Additionally, there is also a tradition of eating cheese and other dairy foods, which is based on

midrashim of the story of Judith. She made a dairy meal to put the enemy general Holofernes to sleep, at which point, Judith decapitated him saving the city. The story has no actual connection with Hanukkah, but became associated with it during the Middle Ages.

There is also a Russian Hanukkah tradition of pouring brandy over a lump of sugar in a spoon setting it ablaze and then dropping it into a glass of tea. This is called the flaming tea ceremony. We also give Hanukkah gelt, which can be either real coins or chocolate ones. I always prefer the chocolate ones. In Eastern Europe people played card games late into the night on Hanukkah and other gambling games including spinning the dreidel.

As you can see, it is primarily a folk holiday that the sages did their best to make into a religious occasion. This is just another example of how we are not all that different

from people 200 or 500 or even 2000 years ago. So, let’s pull out our dreidels and practice spinning them to see if we can get the best of the four letters that spell out the words, a wondrous miracle happened there.

I wish everyone a very, very Happy Hanukkah. May light pervade your life and may your home be filled with health and love.

Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

he Shabbat Service in honor of Veterans Day was well attended with slightly over fifty members and guests

in attendance. Counting the choir, we had over sixty people in our lovely Sanctuary.

TOur guest speaker, Mr. Sy Lichtenfeld, was excellent! As a very young man, he was captured by German soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge. He told us a very interesting story of his being a Jewish POW.

Now please be advised that Sy’s story was Part One of our Veteran’s Day Observances; Part Two will take place on Sunday, December 3 at 1:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Our guest speaker for Part Two will be Dr. Sheldon Kushner. The topic of Dr. Kushner’s talk will be “Understanding the Vietnam War Through the Experiences of a Surgeon.” Dr. Kushner now lives in Point Clear, Alabama. Dr. Kushner was portrayed in the biography, “Trauma and Tenacity in Vietnam: A Surgeon’s Story” by Mary Jane Ingui, Ph.D.

Moving on into January of next year, on Saturday, January 13, we will have our Joint Shabbat Service with Temple Beth El of Pensacola. Services start at 11:00 a.m. in our sanctuary. This will also be our Annual Founders Day Shabbat with members of Temple Beth El helping us remember our

January 25, 1844 founding. (It should be noted that Temple Beth El is the oldest synagogue in the State of Florida. And of course, we are the oldest synagogue in the State of Alabama.)

Through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Cal Ennis, we will also have a Scholar-in Residence visit. Our guest speaker is Rabbi Dr. David Frankel. In memory of this parents Ralph and Faye Ennis, Dr. and Mrs. Ennis are funding this wonderful speaker, who is a Professor of Bible.

Our Congregation and Congregation Beth El will enjoy Rabbi Frankel’s lecture entitled, “What Actually Happened in the Garden of Eden.” This lecture will start promptly after lunch. Then at 3:00 p.m., Rabbi Frankel will

deliver a second lecture. Not only will this lecture include both congregations, but it will also include the Mobile Christian-Jewish Dialogue. This lecture is entitled, “Does the Hebrew Bible Foretell the Story of Jesus? Jewish-Christian Polemics in the Middle Ages.”

Rabbi Dr. David Frankel, who is a Conservative Rabbi, has been teaching Bible to rabbinical students for nearly 25 years at the Schechter Institutes of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School, Brill:2002 and The Land of Canaan and the Destiny of Israel, Eisenbrauns: 2011.

Mike Pereira, President

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Sy Lichtenfeld, Veteran's Day Shabbat

Dr. Sheldon KushnerGuest Speaker

Sunday, December 3 – 1:00 p.m.“Understanding the Vietnam War Through the

Experiences of a Surgeon”

as portrayed in the biography,"Trauma and Tenacity in Vietnam: A Surgeon's Story",

a book which captures the defining periodin the medical life of Captain Sheldon Kushner, MD,

while stationed in Vinh Long, Vietnam, from 1968-69.

The Western Shore Torah Study Group“From Oil in Lamps to Oil in Latkes”

On Thursday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m., the Western Shore Torah Study Group will host the Third Annual Hanukkah Fest at the Ennis home. Your hosts are Nell and Cal Ennis, 1201 Abbeyville Street, Pascagoula, MS 39581. If attending, please bring a dish. Fresh latkes and blintzes will be served. For more information or if you have any questions, please call Cal at 228-623-0479.

A Mitzvah for Christmas?Volunteer at the Mobile Infirmary to help staff different areas of the hospital, freeing the non-Jewish workers to spend Christmas Day with their families. Those who would like to volunteer at the Mobile Infirmary for the Christmas holiday, please contact Jack Friedlander.

FAMILY HANUKKAH DINNERFriday, December 15

following the 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Service

LOTS OF FOOD AND FUN!

BRING YOUR MENORAH FOR A GROUP CONGREGATIONLIGHTING CEREMONY, SONGS, AND DINNER

The Famous Men’s Club Latkes!PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13,

2017ADULTS - $10, CHILDREN (UNDER 10) - $5

Temple Office (251) 478-0415

Eastern Shore Hanukkah Party 6:00 p.m. – Saturday December 16

(Temple members and their family, and those interested in studying the Jewish faith)

Your hosts are Kim and David Zimmerman509 Richmond Circle, Fairhope - 251-990-2997

New 2017 Menu 1. Calling for latke makers are needed – proposal is to make the

latkes beforehand and heat on site. Those interested, please respond.

2. Calling for chicken makers are needed. 3. Calling for savory vegetables, salad, dessert, or appetizer.

RSVP to Carol Zimmerman (carolzimmerman203@gmail.com or 251-591-1113)Those needing assistance, please include your needs when you RSVP.

Arrangements will be made to help as necessary.

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From Your Temple Men’s ClubBy Larry Miller, Men’s Club President

We are getting ready for Hanukkah. There is already a host of folks signed up for kitchen duty with the dynamic duo, the Rose brothers, but we could still use more help in the social hall with waiters, wine pourers, and official latke tasters. Please RSVP to either Larry Miller or Priscilla Gold-Darby to coordinate.

January 12 starts the Scholar-In-Residence weekend. We will also be hosting our sister congregation, Temple Beth-El from Pensacola on Saturday, January 13th, and are arranging a “Kosher” Seafood & Chicken Gumbo lunch. If you want to learn how to make gumbo? roux? and all that Louisiana

stuff? come and help on Friday, January 12. RSVP to Larry Miller and get on the soul food train.

Scholar-in-Residence, 2018Dr. David Frankel

January 10-14, 2018

For 2018, the Adult Education Committee is delighted to present four days with the Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi David Frankel. Since 1992, Dr. Frankel has served as a senior lecturer in Bible at the Schechter Institutes of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. He did his PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of Professor Moshe Weinfeld. His publications include: The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School and The Land of Canaan and the Destiny of Israel. From 1991 to 1996, Rabbi Frankel was the rabbi of Congregation Shevet Achim in Gilo, Jerusalem.

Itinerary for Rabbi FrankelWednesday, January 10, 2018, 5:30 pm, Temple library: “Who really wrote the Torah?”Friday, January 12, 2018, 6:00 pm, after Shabbat services: “When God fought the Monster of the Sea- Mythological Traditions and Their Transformation in the Bible and Midrash.”Saturday, January 13, 2018, 11:00 am, Anniversary Service and Shabbaton with Temple Beth-El, Pensacola, Florida: “What Really Happened in the Garden of Eden.”Saturday, January 13, 2018, 3:00 pm, Christian-Jewish Dialogue: “Does the Hebrew Bible Foretell the Story of Jesus? Jewish-Christian Polemics in the Middle Ages.”

December Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday To ...

1 Jon Fusco 15 Wendy Rich Albright2 Meagan Leah Furman 15 Carolyn Shulman3 G.B. Kahn 20 Frances “Frankie” Bloom4 Emily Fink 22 Anna Swan Gardberg

4 Patricia Silverman 24 Gail Chadwick 6 Pam Friedlander 24 Steve Prager 8 Judy Aronson 26 Harold Fink 9 Mimi Johnson 27 Yaffa Brown10 Maria Seiken 27 Frances Mutchnick11 Michael Ennis 28 Cindy Bloom12 Sydnie Trusty Shuford 28 Renee Stein12 Leighton Silverstein 29 Sue Brown12 Michael Sternberg 30 Sam Borak13 Cassie Fishbein 30 Karen Singh13 Eric Lansky 30 Anne Zelnicker13 Jeffrey Rosenbaum 31 Sharon Vega

Happy Anniversary To … 1 Jinks & Marc Loeb 6 Penny & Joe Adamo14 Edith & Irwin Misrok18 Alicia & Mike Pereira23 Rose & Phillip Brunson24 Nancy & Roy Hoffman26 Bobette & Lowell Friedman

January Birthdays and AnniversariesHappy Birthday To ... Happy Anniversary 3 Claris Feibelman 17 LeNae Denson 29 Susan & Terry Passman 4 Ann Miller 18 Joshua Hochhauser 30 Dana & David Furman 6 Diane Garden-Monheit 18 Terry Passman 6 Alice Handmacher 20 William Baron 6 Mimi Holberg 21 Lowell Friedman 7 Jane Allen 21 Ryan Fusco 7 Phillip Feibelman 22 Stephanie Dittman 8 Jeff Conrad 22 Sam Lansky 9 Ellen Carter 24 Barbara Cherniak 9 Lynne Switzkey 25 Hugh Borak10 Will Kinsella 25 Debra Fetterman10 Bill Susman 25 Deanne Schjott11 Alan Franco 26 Jonathan Hirsch11 Harvey Gandler 27 Marjorie Altmayer13 Vicki Silverman-Lugar 28 Andrew Brown14 Judy Dittman 29 Daniel Kinsella14 Madison Friduss 30 Joshua Mutchnick

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CONTRIBUTIONSIn honor of Eileen Susman’s birthday – Jill Gottlieb, Barry Silverman

In honor of Nate Ginsberg’s birthday – Patricia & Howard Silverman

A speedy recovery for G.B. Kahn – Iris & Albert Klein

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – Linda & Ed Blassingame

In memory of Vera and Arthur Heinrich – Nicole & Fabien Eyal

In memory of Ken Fisher – Iris & Nate Ginsberg

In memory of Sally Zell – Bobby & Mitch Lawley

In memory of Carolyn Brown – Margaret & Milton Brown

In memory of Isidor Judenfreund – Iris & Albert Klein

In memory of Myer Weinstein – Lucy & Steve Weinstein

In memory of Alan D. Oboler – Eileen Oboler

In memory of Fay & Ralph Ennis – Nell & Cal Ennis

In memory of Joshua Fetterman – Iris & Albert Klein

In memory of Gustav Heart – Paul Bergman

YAHRZEITIt is a true Mitzvah to honor those whose memory we hold dear by attending services on the

Shabbat Yahrzeit (year’s time), joining your congregation in reciting Kaddish, and the giving of charity in their memory.

December 1Rose Borak, Ellen Eber, Simon J. Buchman, Lou Conrad, Joshua Fetterman,

Stella Rubel Schwander

December 8Tini Appelman, Joseph C. Fusco, Edith Maisel Laden, Elaine Lemay, Rose Shulman,

Frank Rubel

December 15Jenny Buchman, Herman Kopelman, Betty Zimmerman Cohn, Sarabel Reiss,

Etta May Friedman, Carol Kopelman, Lila Kogon, Vera Heinrich, Jean Schjott

December 23Rebecca Shulman, Max Fratkin, Nathan J. Friedman, Jack Silberstein, Willis Darby, Jr.,

Jerry Rose, Leah Newfield, O.W. Allen, Julia Holberg Kohlman, Annie Greenwald Salmon

December 30Cyril Rich, Emma Rheinstrom, Lucille Schwarz, Marcus Cecil Pierce

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FROM OUR ARCHIVESBy Susan Thomas, Archivist

any historic buildings in downtown Mobile are currently undergoing renovations. One such structure is

the Staples-Pake Building, located at the corner of Royal and St. Michael Streets. The top two floors of the three-story building are being reconfigured as luxury apartment units, while the bottom floor will house commercial space. A New Orleans-based eatery, The Ruby Slipper Cafe, recently announced it will open a restaurant on the Royal Street side of the building in Spring of 2018.

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A Temple congregant, Bertram Pake, was one of the later owners of the building. Originally built in the 1850s for a prominent Mobile cotton broker, the structure was sold in 1903 to the newly-organized Bank of Mobile. After the bank closed in 1917, the building had a variety of tenants. Bertram Pake, a successful real estate broker, became part-owner in 1938.

Bertram Pake was active in Temple affairs, serving on the board of trustees in the 1940s

and on the building committee which oversaw the building of the current Temple in the early 1950s. Born in 1891, Bertram married Jeanne Weil in 1920. They had three children: Bettie, who died in 1932 at age 10 of cancer; Harry, who was killed in Europe during World War II; and Anne, who married Richard Lowenburg and currently resides in New Orleans. Bertram died in 1978. He, along with his wife and daughter Bettie, are buried in the Temple cemetery.

Bertram and his family lived on North Monterey Street in Mobile but also owned a turkey farm in the Saraland area, known as Kali-Oka Farm. His daughter, Anne, still owns the farm and visits when she is able to come to Mobile. Anne has retained her membership with Springhill Avenue Temple and attends services when she is in town.

Bertram, like many early congregants, left his mark on Mobile through his investment in downtown real estate. The Staples-Pake building in its renaissance will be a lasting legacy to his memory.

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Photo courtesy of the Doyle Leale McCall Rare Book & Manuscript Library University of South Alabama

FROM OUR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLby Patricia Silverman, Th.M., Religious School Director

ope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families.H

Congratulations to Sarah Rose Hochhauser on your Bat Mitzvah. It was a wonderful celebration. Our Temple Family wish you and your family Mazel Tov.

On Sunday, December 3, at 10:00 a.m., our Religious School will be presenting a Hanukkah skit to the residents at Somerby. This wonderful skit was created by Barry Silverman. Seth Cherniak will lead the music, Rachel Nease will contribute her artistic talent in guiding the students, and Sarah Sternberg will assist. See you there.

The Temple Gift Shop will be open on Sunday, December 10, for our students to

purchase Hanukkah gifts. Parents, make sure students have their money. Amy and Judy will be there to help students in choosing their gifts. Parents are welcome to help in the selection of the gifts too.

The Temple’s Hanukkah Shabbat Service is Friday, December 15. The students will perform the same delightful Hanukkah skit that was performed at Somerby – “Hanukkah – The Miracle of the Candles.” Dinner will follow the service and will feature the wonderful latkes by David and Richard Rose and their crew. Don’t miss this delightful celebration.

Wednesday, December 12, is the first night of Hanukkah and the lighting of the 1st candle.

Have a Happy Hanukkah.

Religious School 2018 Scheduleunday, January 7, will be the first Religious School class in 2018. It will be a fun day because the Jacobs Camp representives will give us a presentation about their summer camp program. “Going to a Jewish summer camp gives a child the opportunity to

make friends for life, celebrate their Judaism with other Jewish children, and explore their Jewish identity in an oasis of Jewish life.”

SParents and grandparents are also invited to come and learn about the opportunities and fun that Jacobs Camp offers to our Jewish community.

To help even more, our Temple has an anonymous donor who will contribute $1000 for first time campers and $500 for returning campers. Additionally, the Goldring Family Foundation and other organizations offer scholarship opportunities. I am here to help guide you with all these opportunities to ensure that your child can have this wonderful Camp Jacobs experience.The best is yet to come!

The Mobile Jewish Film Festival January 11 – 28, 2018

Film ScheduleThursday, January 11, 2pm Sunday, January 14, 3pmMobile Museum of Art Ahavas Chesed SynagogueFilm – “As Seen Through These Eyes” Film – “Rat Pack”

Music before the film; reception followsTuesday, January 16, 7pmLaidlaw Performing Arts Center, USA Wednesday, January 17, 7pmFilm – “Harmonia” Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, USA

Film – “1945”Thursday, January 18, 7pmLaidlaw Performing Arts Center, USA Sunday, January 21, 3pmFilm – “My Hero My Brother” Ahavas Chesed SynagogueDessert reception follows Film – “Women’s Balcony”

Tuesday, January 23, 7pm Wednesday, January 24, 7pmUSA – Performance Center, Fairhope Ben May Main Library, Bernheim HallFilm – “A Bag of Marbles” Film – “A Bag of Marbles”

Thursday, January 25, 7pm Sunday, January 28, 3pmSpringhill Avenue Temple Springhill Avenue TempleFilm – “A Heartbeat Away” preceded by Film – “Joe’s Violin”“Dear God” Violin and piano concert follows and

closing night reception

Tu B’Shevat

Tu B’Shevat (Arbor Day) is the new year for the trees. Our Temple Garden Project of fruiting trees continues to grow, so if you would like to donate a tree, please send in a contribution of at least $35 to the Temple office and a tree will be procured for your loved one and you can help plant it on Sunday, January 28 at the Tu B’Shevat seder with the Religious School.

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CALENDARWednesday Torah Study 5:30 p.m. December 6, 13, 20, and 27

Hebrew School Sundays 10:00 a.m. December 3 (at Somerby)9:00 a.m. December 10

Friday 6:00 p.m. December 15 – Religious School play – “Hanukkah – The Miracle of the Candles”Hanukkah family service with dinner to follow(No Hebrew School December 17, 24, or 31)

Religious School Sundays 10:00 a.m. December 3 (at Somerby)9:00 a.m. December 10

Friday 6:00 p.m. December 15 – Religious School play – “Hanukkah – The Miracle of the Candles”Hanukkah family service with dinner to follow(No Religious School December 17, 24 or 31)

Sunday, December 3 1:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Dr. Sheldon Kushner(details page 3)

Monday, December 11 6:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

Friday, December 15 6:00 p.m. Hanukkah Family ServiceReligious School play – “Hanukkah – The Miracle of the Candles”Dinner to follow

The Temple offices will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1.

THE TEMPLE BULLETIN(USPS-966-900) is published monthlyby Springhill Avenue Temple, 1769 Springhill AvenueMobile, AL 36607.“Periodicals Postage Paid at Mobile, Alabama.”

POSTMASTER:Send address change to:1769 Springhill Ave.Mobile, AL 36607