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Chailights
Looking Forward to Mt. Sinai The practice of Judaism often involves looking backward: to the past year (High Holy Days), to the Exodus (Passover), to the memory of a loved one (yartzeit). This time of year; however, we also turn our thoughts forward as we count the days between Passover and Shavuot. Our tradition teaches us that on the second night of Passover we
begin counting a “week of weeks” (49 days) followed by Shavuot. This is a time period that covers the harvest season. In ancient times, we would bring forward one omer (measure of grain) of newly harvested barley on each day of the counting. The season would culminate with a harvest celebration on Shavuot. Though most of us no longer live in an agrarian society, the omer is still counted each night as a commemoration of this harvest. (The first day of May is the 27th day of the counting of the Omer.) How is this looking forward? Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt – our redemption from slavery. Shavuot marks our standing at Mt. Sinai and having a Divine experience with God – revelation. As we count each day of the omer today, we are challenged to go on the same journey our ancestors took as they shook off the shackles of slavery and stood in awe at Mt. Sinai. It is easy enough to focus on what once was, but “Counting the Omer” gives us an opportunity to look ahead to what could be. We can use this time period to bring forward our own offerings -- our best and newest sheaves of grain. We are given the opportunity to travel through our own desert striving to transcend the physical and reach the spiritual. There are many wonderful modern guides for this ancient spiritual journey, including Rabbi Min Kantrowitz’s Counting the Omer and Rabbi Karyn Kedar’s Omer: A Counting. Since we’re already in the middle of the counting, it might be more expedient to access an on-line guide from The Jewish Mindfulness Network or an app for your phone: Sefiros Grow by Mosaica Press or Omer Counter by David Cooper. Please join us for a Tikun Leil Shavuot (Shavuot study session) on May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. and our Shavuot/Yizkor service on May 24th at 10:00 a.m. In the meantime, happy counting and enjoy your journey.
With many blessings, Ted Riter
MAY 2015
Rabbi’s Message
Spring into Summer With Pesach behind us, we begin to look forward to Shavuot, when we celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. We count the days of the Omer, the 49 days between the 2nd night of Pesach and Shavuot. Shavuot is a celebration of Torah, education and actively choosing to participate in Jewish Life. At this same time, our children are also counting. They are counting how many days until the gates open to another summer of Jewish camp. For our children who attend a Jewish summer camp, it is also a celebration that in many ways is not unlike Shavuot. This is a chance for our children to celebrate, be educated and actively choose to participate in Jewish Life. On the web site,
ReformJudaism.org, there is a list of six reasons to attend a Jewish Summer Camp. Experiences now, explanations later. Camp is a chance to experience Jewish communal life (at meals, during Shabbat, in the cabins, everywhere). The explanations come later. In other realms they are taught and then experience it. Camp friendships last beyond the summer. My children are still in touch with friends from early years at Camp Jacobs. Each of them has attended B’nai Mitzvot out-of-town for camp friends. Immersive Jewish Community 24/7, with most of our children living in cities that are primarily non-Jewish, summer camp gives them an opportunity to experience Judaism as a complete way of life. Judaism is infused in their daily life. Camp ends, but the Jewish community continues. Research has shown that children who attend Jewish summer camp are more likely to identify as Jewish adults and actively engage in the Jewish community. Jewish camp addresses the whole camper. At Jewish camp, adult role models and mentors create safe spaces for campers to grapple with complex ideas based in Jewish values, texts, and traditions. Camp helps kids succeed beyond childhood. It can be an environment for “real-world” learning. Campers often return as staff members. Many staff from Reform Jewish summer camps have found that their experiences as camp counselors have helped them jumpstart their careers. So as we watch the buds start to blossom on the trees and bushes around Mississippi, remember that our children are also blooming. We should do all we can to help them continue to grow. If you have a child or grandchild, encourage them to participate in a Jewish camp. There are many resources to provide financial assistance so that no one misses the chance to experience this opportunity. And if you do not have a camp-age-child, consider making a donation to one of the organizations that support a camp. We can all help to assure the continuation of a strong Jewish community. Howard Katz
From the President...
Howard T. Katz
Page 2 Chailights
BETH ISRAEL OFFICE HOURS
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch:
12:30-1:30 p.m.
PRESCHOOL—SAVE THE DATE
Summer Camps
(Grandchildren are welcome)
June 22 — June 26 - Sky Hawk Sports Camp
June 29 — July 2 -Leaps & Bounds with Ms. Kelly
Computer Explorers
July 6 — July 10 - Soccer Tots
July 13 — July 17 - Art Camp with Loris
July 20 — July 24 -Computer Explorers
July 27 — July 31 - Lego Bricks for Kidz
8:30 a. m. - 11:30 a.m. — All Day Options Available
Sisterhood Spotlight:
A Message from the Sisterhood Co-Presidents
Page 3 Chailights
It's been a very busy year so far and summer is almost here. Mindy and I would like to thank all our Sisterhood and Temple members who have contributed their time and efforts in making our many temple events run smoothly. We had an unbelievable day at our Temple Bazaar with great attendance from our community and sales in all our booths. Kudos to all! We had a well attended 2nd Seder in April. We thank Charna Schlakman for chairing this event, Rabbi Riter for leading our service, and all who helped with setting tables, cooking and cleanup. Mindy and I are working on our calendar for next fall and want to make sure we have something for all our members to enjoy. If you have programming ideas or events you would like our Sisterhood to participate in, please let us know. There are many ways you can all participate in Sisterhood. You can serve on the Board, Chair an event, help with the Gift shop, volunteer to cook or deliver food for meals on wheels, serve on the mitzvah committee, participate in book club meetings, help with Food Pantry/Stewpot or simply attend meetings and events. We have many new temple families and want everyone to know our Sisterhood Board members: Co-presidents - Mindy Humphrey and Cheryl Katz Recording Secretary - Esther Roberts 1st Vice President - Suzanne Freedman Corresponding Secretary - Erica Abeles 2nd Vice President - Frankie Springer Parliamentarian - Charna Schlakman Treasurer - Joyce Salomon Advisors - Beth Orlansky and Tammy Rubinsky If you would like to be a part of any of the wonderful things we do, let us know. Cheryl Katz
Meals on Wheels Needs Your Help
on Our Monday Delivery Routes
If you have an hour or two to spare one day a month, the
Sisterhood needs drivers to assist with delivery of the food. The re-
cipients profoundly appreciate our work. It is truly a mitzvah and one
that is open to the entire congregation, not just Sisterhood mem-
bers. The routes are local Jackson areas (e.g., Fondren & Belhaven),
and we’ve mapped them out to be easily manageable. We suggest
two person teams working
together on each route—a driver and an assistant.
To volunteer, please contact Charna Schlakman at
Are you looking for a way to give something back to our community? Please
help our Jackson FOOD PANTRY!
Volunteers are needed from Beth Israel: June 29-July 3, 2015
September 14-18, 2015 December 14-18, 2015
If you can volunteer, please contact: Beth Orlansky at
Page 4 Chailights
Registration for Jacobs Camp
Summer 2015 Is Now OPEN!
Jacobs.urjcamps.org/register
Education Spotlight
May 8, 2015—5:30 p.m.
A full sanctuary service that is family-friendly
for kids of all ages.
IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DATES
Religious School Dates: May 3, 10, 17 (Closing Day)
Hebrew School Dates: May 6, 13
Grade 1-2 Parents:
Family Education Day — May 3rd, 2015
9:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Students should attend with a parent,
grandparent, or any other important adult
in their lives.
RSVP to Rabbi Kassoff at [email protected]
or 601.956.6215
Bagel Bunch
May 17th—9:30 a.m.
Jewish friends, learning, fun and
(of course) food.
For children not yet enrolled
in Sunday School, with caregivers.
Questions and RSVP to
BITY BUZZ:
BITY Elections! May 3, 2015
Immediately following religious school (12:15 pm)
BITY Seniors Farwell Dinner: For all BITYites to send our seniors off with love and blessings. May 20th, 6:00 p.m. at Nagoya.
Relay for Life: Raising funds and awareness for cancer research, May 22, 6:00 p.m. to midnight. See ad on page 7 for more information.
Connect with us on Facebook, write to
[email protected] or contact
Rabbi Kassoff for more information
TEACHER APPRECIATION SHABBAT
May 8, 2015 — 6:15 p.m. Contact Rabbi Kassoff
to be a part of planning this special event
Our teachers are our parents, our neighbors, our friends.
They’re members of our congregation and they are all
volunteers. Let’s show them, and our high school
madrikhim just how much we do appreciate them for the
tremendous gift they give to our congregation.
YEA!!!! SCHOOL IS OUT
End of Year Picnic!
May 17th, 11:30 am at Parham Bridges
Park Pavilion
We’ll conclude early at the synagogue and then head over to celebrate a great year. Sponsored for our Religious School Families by Beth Israel Sisterhood.
Page 5 Chailights
Beth Israel Religious School
is Now Accepting
Box Tops for Education
Clip your box tops and place them in the box
outside the Beth Israel office
or in the box on the table in the foyer.
Sisterhood Book Club Sunday, May 17, 2015
11:00 a.m. at Beth Israel
Our May selection is The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. Please plan to join us. See the edited Barnes & Noble summary below. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Red Tent and Day After Night, comes an unforgettable novel about family ties and values, friendship and feminism told through the eyes of a young Jewish wom-an growing up in Boston in the early 20th century. Addie Baum is The Boston Girl, born in 1900 to immi-grant parents, who were unprepared for and suspicious of America and its effect on their three daughters. Growing up in the North End, then a teeming multicultural neighborhood, Addie’s intelligence and curiosity take her to a world her parents can’t imagine—a world of short skirts, movies, celebrity culture, and new opportunities for women. Addie wants to finish high school and dreams of going to college. She wants a career and to find true love.
Eighty-five-year-old, Addie tells the story of her life to her 22 year old granddaughter, who has asked her, “How did you get to be the woman you are today?” She begins in 1915, the year she found her voice and made friends, who would help shape the course of her life
Written with the same attention to historical detail and emotional resonance that made Anita Diamant’s previous novels bestsellers, The Boston Girl is a moving portrait of one woman’s complicated life in 20th century America, and a fascinating look at a generation of women finding their places in a changing world.
Author Interviews: http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/_blog/The_ProsenPeople/post/interview-
anita-diamant/http://www.npr.org/2014/12/06/368714299/first-generation-
boston-girl-becomes-career-woman-in-diamants-latest
PRE-SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
For Spring Carnival
Charity Sale—Saturday, May 2, 2015
6:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m.
At Northpark Mall and the Flowood Location
Tickets: $5.00
May be purchased at the Pre-School Office and
the Temple Office
The Membership and Engagement Committee is seeking help in reaching out to our newest members.
If you are interested in being an ambassador
to a new member, please contact:
Debra [email protected] or
Robbie [email protected]
Page 6 Chailights
May Birthdays
3 Bernice Silberman
5 Dorothy Printz
5 Melanie Howell Leonard
5 Kenneth Schipper
5 Henry Haber
5 Jacob Craig
5 Beth Orlansky
5 Ted Riter
6 Becci Jacobs
6 Lou Shornick
8 Jeanne Rozman
8 Benjamin Hearon
10 Randy Harris
10 Jerry Branson
11 Julie Paul
11 Gary Friedman
12 Sondy Berman
12 Buddy Fish
12 Lawrence Haber
13 Hannah Guimbellot
13 Samuel Orlansky
14 Karen Hunter
14 Alanna Kleinman
14 Jacob Schneider
14 Peter Zapletal
15 Deborah Crystal
15 Charna Schlakman
17 Gail Dellar
17 Ashley Rubinsky
19 Halina Mitchell
19 Morgan Samuels
19 Kira Giammarco
20 Carol Thompson
21 Manny Grossman
22 Wyatt Davidson
22 Hulbert Crystal
22 Allen Workman
23 Peggy Goldstein
24 Vera Davis
24 Richard Schwartz
24 Alana Bowman
25 Rebecca Burr
26 Robert Key
27 Wendy Giammarco
27 Allen Weiss
27 Sarah Buxbaum
29 Petra Kay
29 Bobby Jacobs
29 Lily Katz
30 Ida Schwartz
May Anniversaries
1 Albert and Judy Wahba
4 Cleve and Karen Barham
5 Milton and Roberta Grishman
23 Stuart and Susan Rockoff
25 Ted and Donna Orkin
27 David and Shirley Orlansky
28 James and Bonnie Bowley
29 Mickey and Sandra Fischer
29 Jonathan and Dana Larkin
If you are hosting an event at Beth
Israel, please submit all requests,
set-ups or special instructions on the
Room Set-Up form. You can get the
form by stopping by the Temple Office or you can go to
our website at www.bethisraelms.org.
If you have any questions, call or text Gilbert Sollek at
601-317—5506.
WE APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFULNESS OF THOSE WHO SUPPORT BETH ISRAEL
BY REMEMBERING AND HONORING THEIR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS
Donations may be applied to the following funds, per your request:
GENERAL FUND
In Memory of Howard Cohen—Bea Gavant
In Memory of Dianne Adler—Bea Gavant
In Memory of David Guimbellot for our 20th Wedding Anniversary—Monique Guimbellot
In Memory of Howard Cohen—Amy and Arty Finkelberg
In Appreciation of Michele Schipper , Rachel Jarman-Meyers and Bette Shornick—Jeanette and Stuart Lerner
In Appreciation of Beth Israel—Jeanne and Stephen Rozman
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Honor of Samuel Reese Brower—Erin and David Brower
MEMBERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT FUND
In Memory of Dianne Adler—Amy and Arty Finkelberg
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
In Appreciation of Beth Israel—Donna and Ted Orkin
SATURDAY MORNING FUND
In Appreciation of Gino Giammarco—ISJL
In Appreciation of Beth Israel—Myrna Lane
In Appreciation of Beth Israel—Raizy Grossman
In Memory of Gertrude Garshman—Melissa and Dr. Ralph Daniel, III
CEMETERY FUND
In Memory of Fannie Crystal—Lynn Crystal
In Memory of Eugene Hesdorffer—Lynn Crystal
In Memory of Lawrence, Jill and Myron Gavant—Richard Gavant
In Memory of David Harris—Joe Harris
In Memory of Sam Millstein—Joe Harris
In Memory of Florence Millstein—Joe Harris
In Appreciation of Beth Israel—Donna and Ted Orkin
TIKKUN OLAM FUND
For the Recovery of Judy Wahba—Dana and Jonathan Larkin
Page 7 Chailights
A Notice to the Congregation:
BITY will once again be participating in this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Hannah Guimbellot is our
team leader. We are dedicating this year’s Relay to the memory of Hannah’s and her brother Joshua’s dad, David
Guimbellot (z”l). Please send donations of any size to the Temple. Checks should be made out to Relay for Life.
GENERAL FUND MEMBERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TIKKUN OLAM FUND
ENDOWMENT FUND ONEG FUND LIBRARY/PRAYER BOOK FUND WEBSITE FUND
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND SATURDAY MORNING FUND MUSIC FUND CEMETERY FUND
CARING FUND (SISTERHOOD) ART FUND PROGRAM FUND JEWISH CINEMA MISSISSIPPI
5315 Old Canton Rd. Jackson, MS 39211
Phone: (601) 956-6215 Fax: (601) 952-0895
We Remember — Yahrzeits for May 2015
bethisraelms.org
Non-Profit Org
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit #123
JACKSON, MS
April 26-May 2 Lena Mermelstein Ruth Stamm Rice Gerson Solomon Henerietta Reichek Michael Wolpin Lena Katz *Jacob Mitchell Joseph Pollack Dorothea Wernicke *William Wiener, Sr. Rene Amdur Gerald Crystal Helen Weil Loeb Rufus Earl Branson Eli Abromson Abraham Plotkin Deborah Danziger Marx Rosenweig May 3-May 9 Marvin Kirsch Sidney Rubin Jack Davidson Natalie Brown Nick Sam Karno
Sydney Chain Bess Tubias *David Alan Hesdorffer Ricka Hart Mildred Wise Dorothy Alter *Alice Mackevich May 10-May 16 Stanley Cohen *Vivian Ascher *Rose Sherman Ruth Feyer Lou Humphrey *Sydney Geiger, Sr. *Rose Sherman Estelle Binswanger Florence P. Stiebel Irving Jacob Ratner Rita Printz *Selma Glass Roston Lucas May17-May 23 Esther Gavant Alex Feldman
Mel Feldman Judith Rivlin Birgitte Hoffberg Mollyne Karnofsky Wanda C. Calliss Bernard Lehman Lola Muskin Jenia Howell May 24-May 30 Florence Weinberg Dr. Ralph Daniel, Jr. Judy Kart Hazen *David Shornick *Jonathan Blumenthal Morris Erlich William Ettinger David Salomon Tony Sharp *Mark Benjamin Hesdorffer Sandra Zalowitz Elizabeth O. Taffet Lee Ross *Memorial Alcove Plaque
