Congregation Gates of Prayer4000 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie, LA 70002

www.gatesofprayer.org (504) 885-2600

Volume 52 No. 2 Av/Elul 5778 August 2018

Growing up in St. Louis, I became very familiar with the term “the dog days of summer.” Usually this coincided with August when the sun is oppressive and the humidity is unrelenting. While I am writing this well in advance of my first August in New Orleans, something tells me the dogs might be a little bigger down here when their days come around!

The dog days of summer represent another potentially oppressive and unrelenting time for Jews. The Jewish month of Elul typically begins in August. Because Elul is the month that immediately precedes the High Holy Days, we are commanded to inspect our deeds, look at ourselves critically, and reflect on our past year. Sometimes our own self-critique can feel as debilitating as the heat in August.

Our rabbis teach us there is a hidden message in the name of the month of Elul itself. They suggested that the letters of Elul (Aleph, Lamed, Vav, Lamed) are an acronym for one of the most famous verses from the Song of Songs: Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li.

This verse, which is spoken at most weddings and is likely written on your ketubah, means “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

Our sages suggest that this is an underlying message from God to us during the month before the High Holy Days. In the coming weeks, we will have to submit ourselves to introspection. We will also be expected to make amends with those we have wronged and offer forgiveness when sincerely asked.

This is a process that can be emotionally draining. Our rabbis seem to be reminding us with the acronym of Elul that at the heart of all criticism, be it for ourselves or for others, must be love. We don’t engage in introspection to punish ourselves, but rather to improve ourselves. We don’t offer Selichot (apologies) or Teshuvah (repentance) to focus on our wrongs, but rather to ensure that we turn them into acts of righteousness.

Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li. We are all created in God’s image. Every individual is sacred and deserving of love. May we engage in the month of Elul to recognize that we are on a journey of self-improvement and self-discovery. We are God’s beloved. May we be each other’s beloved as well.

Kol Tuv,

Rabbi David Gerber

August Joint Reform Worship

at CGoP

Shabbat EkevFriday, August 3 8:00 pm Shabbat WorshipSaturday, August 4 10:30 am Morning Worship and Torah Discussion

Shabbat Re’ehFriday, August 10 8:00 pm Shabbat WorshipSaturday, August 11 10:30 am Morning Worship and Torah Discussion

Shabbat ShoftimFriday, August 17 8:00 pm Shabbat Worship Saturday, August 18 10:30 am Morning Worship and Torah Discussion

Shabbat Ki TetzeSaturday, August 24 8:00 pm Shabbat UnpluggedSunday, August 25 10:30 am Morning Worship and Torah Discussion

Shabbat Ki TavoFriday, August 31 6:00 pm Munchkin Minyan Splish Splash Shabbat 8:00 pm Shabbat WorshipSaturday, September 1 10:30 am Morning Worship and Torah Discussion

S’lichotSaturday, September 1Off-SiteLook for more information during the month of August.

SHABBATUNPLUGGED

Friday, August 248:00 pm

Our popular Shabbat Unplugged celebration includes lots of music and visual t’filah. Rabbi Gerber joins our

Shabbat Band for the first time!

WELCOME HOME SHABBAT!Friday, August 3

8:00 pm

Join us as we welcome Rabbi Gerber for his first official service and special

Oneg Shabbat!

Join us as we welcome the New Orleans Reform community.

Join us as we welcome YOU home!

Gates of Prayer invites young families to join us for a

MUNCHKIN MINYAN(formerly Shabbat Yeladim)

SPLISH SPLASHSHABBAT

Friday, August 31, 2018 * 6:00 pm

Join with other young families for a unique summer Shabbat experience. We will celebrate Shabbat with songs, prayer, a light dinner and a lot of water fun!

Don’t forget your bathing suits and towels!

Please RSVP to the Temple office:office@gatesofprayer.org

885-2600

SHABBAT FLOWERS AND ONEG SHABBAT

Sponsoring a Friday night Oneg Shabbat or donating Shabbat flowers is a wonderful way to celebrate a simcha or honor a loved one’s memory. For information on how you can sponsor an Oneg or provide flowers, please contact Jack Schulman our Temple Administrator, or Leslie Miller in the Temple office.

Monday, August 1312:00 Noon

Guest Speaker:Michael Bullinger A.C.E.

How to do stretches and exercises at home.

Senior Outreach lunches are free open to the entire community. Space

is limited to the first 70 RSVP’s.

Please RSVP to the Temple office.

CHEVRA TORAHShabbat Mornings, 9:15-10:15

Our Saturday morning Torah study will start up again this month.

Sometimes lay led, sometimes rabbinic led, this group gathers each

week to shmooze and learn.Rabbi Gerber will be leading torah

study the first Shabbat this month.

Upcoming Events to WelcomeRabbi David Gerber and His Family to Our Congregation

You Are Invited!Sunday, August 5th5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The congregation is invited to an Open House and Mezuzah Dedication at Rabbi David and Lauren Gerber’s home,

4964 Folse Drive in Metairie.Brotherhood will grill burgers and hotdogs and Sisterhood will provide desserts.

Shabbat Services in AugustGates of Prayer is hosting Shabbat services in August.

Come to CGoP for Shabbat on any Friday night or Saturday morningand welcome Rabbi Gerber as our new Senior Rabbi.

Our first Shabbat service in August is Friday, August 3rd, at 8:00 pm with a special Oneg to follow.

Come Spend Time with Rabbi Gerber(light hors d’oevres served)

There will be two receptions in August to welcome Rabbi Gerber. The first, Wednesday, August 8th, at 7:00 pm

will be at the home of Jill and Lee Plotkin. The second, Wednesday, August 22nd, at 7:00 pm

will be at the home of Betty and Harry Lazarus

These two events are open to the congregation, but room is limitedso that everyone has the chance to spend time with Rabbi Gerber.

Only the first 50 RSVP’s to the Temple Office for each event will be accepted.

The deadlines for RSVPs are: Friday, August 3rd for the August 8th event and Friday, August 17th for the August 22nd event.

If you miss one of these opportunities, don’t worry! More to follow!

Diana Mann

Mike Fein

From Brotherhood

From Sisterhood

High Holy Day Card Project For $18 you can add your name to a

holiday greeting which is sent to our entire congregation

Support your Sisterhood and strengthen your congregational

bonds with new friends and old at the same time!

Artwork by Carol SadowskyLook for the order form

in your mailboxes.

PJs and Pizza Family Havdalah for our Religious School Students

and Parents Saturday, August 25th

5:30 - 7:00 pm

Wear your PJs and join us for fun activities, a surprise or two,

along with a pizza party! Official invites will be sent out,

but you can RSVP now at sisterhood@gatesofprayer.org

Sisterhood Book Club

Books for the remainder of the year:

August 27thThe Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

September 24thThe Gargoyle Hunters by John Freeman Gill

October 22ndFascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

November 26thThe President is Missing

by James Patterson and Bill Clinton

Rosh Chodesh With SisterhoodMonday, August 13

Dinner at Sake Cafe’at 7:00 pm.Then we will return to CGoP for a program featuring Elul meditations and thoughtful poetry. “How do I personally plan on preparing for Teshuvah” will also be discussed. Please RSVP to Susan no later

than August 9th at 504-352-9698 or naturespirit18@gmail.com.

August is here and I am wondering how I managed to miss so much of June and July. Time has whisked by and it is now time for us to begin our new year with Sisterhood here at Congregation Gates of Prayer.

Our membership drive is well underway and we are looking to grow our membership so we can expand our projects and programs for our congregation and community at large. Claudia Shabetai, our membership secretary, has been working extremely hard to take our membership to new heights. If you have not received your membership informational packet, please let us know.

We will be hosting a social action project at our first event on Sunday, September 16th, following the opening

day program for our Religious School (approximately 10:45 a.m.) We are collecting full-sized, travel-sized and sample-sized toiletries. Take a moment to check your luggage, cabinets, bags, etc. and bring them to the synagogue marked Sisterhood Social Action. Join us for a mimosa too while we visit and work on our project! Amy Thomas is our social action VP should you have any further questions.

See you soon!

Let us begin

Bo Nat-cheel! Welcome, and “Let us begin” our journey with our new Senior Rabbi, David Gerber!

Brotherhood welcomes all congregants to the new “season.” You can help run Brotherhood, you can participate in its programming, or you can just attend a function and enjoy what we do. What will we do this year?

• Brotherhood normally leads Torah Study the first Saturday of each month. Come study! August 4th, study with Rabbi Gerber!

• Our opening wine and cheese tasting, havdallah and prime rib dinner is August 18th, please see the attached flyer - for only $35 per person? Are you kidding? • Multiple guys/gals weeknight “nights out” at Beach Corner or other local venues• Serving our veterans at the home in Reserve thru “Brotherhood 4 Vets” program• Cooking for Religious School, Holidays, and Saints games• Monday night football in the Sukkah with Sushi, Sake, and (baby) sitting• Yes, correct, we will have babysitting available for a number of events• Health programs co-ventured with Sisterhood• King Cakes no, but Maccabee Cakes YES!• A reprise of the popular Super Bowl pool• A family event at Flagstick Golf

• And if you are planning an event at CGoP, consider the highly acclaimed Brotherhood Catering Guys.

Want to know more? I am easy to find at brotherhood@gatesofprayer.org, or 717-6465.

See you in shul,

Gates of Prayer Louise Hayem Manheim Nursery School

RABBI NATHANIEL SHARE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Registration is live for the 2018-2019 Religious School YearYou can register online by clicking HERE or going to

www.gatesofprayer.org and clicking through on Religious School. You can always come by and pick up a

registration form in the Temple office.

Summer Fun at CGoP Camp!

https://gopeducator.wufoo.com/forms/rf42d4w0f3hwt0/

August 3-4Dorothy Katz Allison, *Sadie Juliette Aschaffenburg, Marc Ivan Becker, Lila Willer Bernstein, Elias Cohen, *Herbert J. Cohen, Edward Isaac Davis, *Blandina Wolff Dreyfus, Sarah Kahn Feitel, Harry Friedberg, *Pearl Rosenzweig Grossman, Henry Lehman, *Lep Levy, *Dan Lincove, *Jesse B. Marsh, *Abraham L Myer, Maurice Pailet, Morris Pulitzer, Eisig Reiter, *Louis E. Rosen, *H. Murphy Rosenzweig, *Meyer Schneider, Milton Schneider, Dorothy Simkin Stolier, *Jennie L. Weinberger, *Augusta Miller Weinstein, *Felix Welsch, *Saul Zion.

August 10-11Aminadov Aloni, *Samuel L. Aronowitz, *Lawrence B. Avegno, *Saul Barton, Grace Botnick, David N. Dover, Maurice Felix, Myrtle B. Geiger, Jennie Gordon, Celia Biegeleisen Roth Green, Bernice Buck Johnson, Anita Joseph, Leonard B. Kancher, Meyer L. Koch, Maxine Weiss Ladner, Arthur Samuel Meyers, *Robert Alan Polunsky, Gertrude Taichman Rosenblat, Sam Schaeffer, Albert Paul Schreiber, Raymond Shabetai, Dora Levey Share, Sol I. Singer, Jacob Sperling, *Harry Tatar, *Culotta Weinstein, Benjamin Wolkind.

August 17-18*Bessie Kahn Aronson, *Ruth Goldman Asher, Jack Bluestein, Mary R. Bluestein, *Andrea Campell, *Miryam Rosenblum Fitzgerald, *Yetta S. Gerson, David Goldberg, *Dora Feinberg Goldberg, *Matilde Goldberg, Ida Goldstein, Alvin Gonzales, *Esther Anna Gordon, Ruth Guskin, *Rose Buckman Harrison, *Sophie Lehman Hayem, Samuel Herzfeld, David R. Hochberg, *Leon Israel, Hyman Karno, Morris Karno, Zolomon Levin, *Henry Nowak, Doris Weill Preis, *Sarah F. Rosenstock, Norma A. Roth, *Melanie Levy Scharff, *Yetta Simon, *Simon Streiffer, Rachel Caplan Weiss.

AugustYahrzeits

In Memorium

CondolencesTo Lynn Loewy on the death of her mother, Ellen Rosenfeld.

Hurricane Preparedness

Reminder

We are still in the midst of Hurricane season. Please make sure that the

Temple office has the most up to date contact information for you. Should evacuation become necessary,

you can always log on to www.gatesofprayer.org for

the latest information.

August 24-25Rosa Friedman Alexander, Morris Bernstein, *Jeannette Bookman, Sylvia Bruchis, *Helen Lennie Falk, Dorothy Gotthelf, *Lily Hoffman, *Samuel Jacob, Sr., Morris Jacobs, Regina Katz, *Max Klinger, Harry Krassenstein, *Maxine Salem Kupperman, *Amy Schwartz Lake, *Doris B. Levy, *Simon Levy, Martha Yukl Lyon, *Martin David Moskowitz, Gayle Karno Patent, Barry Pick, Sara Rabinovitz Pick, Harvey Posner, *Shandel Rabinowitz, Terri Lynn Rosen, Norvin Peter Serpas, *Judith Deinard Silber, *Meyer Spiro, Lena Webber, Alus Samuel Zeve.

August 31-September 1Rochelle Kapelus Anshelevitz, *Kapelus Anshelevitz Family, *Jordan Brown, *Harry B. Caplan, Beulah Kraus Casper, Helen Maleh Denn, Gertrude F. Dupre, *Alexander Eron, *Joseph Fleishmann, Genevieve Nee Glenn, Dora Gordon, Sidney S. Grodsky, Kate Haberman, *Robert Hurwitz, Sally Opatowsky Katcher, Doris Kerbel, Morris Krilov, *Henrietta N. Levy, *Malvina Schwartz Levy, Barry Jay Mason, Millie Greenberg Brickman Merlin, Malcolm Miller, Dora Nastashkin, Gerald Henry Nowak, *Joyce Pollock Slobotzky Pesses, Anthony Claude Porch, Irene Schwadron, *Samuel Seelman, Sylvia Shapiro, Thomas A. Spain, Donald Staton, *Adessa M. Suffrin, *Eva Joseph Welsch.

Betty Brown

CGoPat Henry S. Jacobs

Camp2nd Session

NEW YAHRZEIT BOARD NEEDED

A new Yahrzeit Board soon needs

to be added in the Memorial Area. If you would like to purchase the Board, perhaps in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact Jack Schulman.

The Music FundIn Memory of:Betty Brown JPPSS Non-Public Speech Therapy Dept

Lev B’LevIn Memory of:Eleanor Yanitz Sue Rae & Ken BishopCarolyn Harriet Shochet Michelle & David BasshamSandra LincoveRose CoplinBarbara LincoveDan Lincove Miriam LatterEllen Rosenfeld Jack & Dori Schulman Michelle, David & Michael BasshamPearl & Nathan Bergman Rachel Bergman

The Cemetery FundIn Memory of:Susan HirschHarvey Green Dianne Green-Freeman

The Endowment FundIn Memory of:Ellen Rosenfeld Anne ChirinosFanny Stone Webber Rhoda & Larry WebberIn Honor of:Becky & Alan Ripps 50th Anniversary Rhoda & Larry Webber

The Louise Hayem Kitchen FundIn Memory Of:Ethel G. WatskyAmelia Alexander Lazelle Alexander & Family

The Fund for the Louise Hayem Manheim Nursery SchoolIn Memory of:Leigh Burstein Sue & Fred PreisEllen Rosenfeld Larry & JoAnn Katz Diana & Chip MannBetty BrownEllen Rosenfeld Melanie & Richard BlizEugene H. Straus Betty & Ed SmithIn Honor of:The Birth of Daniel O’Leary Melanie & Richard Blitz

The Prayerbook FundIn Memory of:Ellen Rosenfeld Rhoda & Larry WebberSolomon Katz Sidney & Ellen Raye Miller

The General FundIn Memory of:Eileen P. LatterBeulah L. Pulitzer Stanford LatterDaniel Barron Iris BarronEllen Rosenfeld Karen & Lance TurkishSusan HirschHarvey Green Dianne Green-FreemanJeanne Sommer Peggy BlumBetty Brown Jefferson Parish Speech/Hearing Dept.Lester Lowell Green Susan & Howard GreenIn Honor of:Rabbi Loewy Larry & JoAnn KatzNathan Fischman Nicholaus Barber

Rabbi’s Discretionary FundIn Memory of:Max Dulitz Dee Dee & Lester DulitzBetty C. Brown Lazelle, Amy & Becky AlexanderIn Honor of:Rabbi David and Lauren Gerber Gary LazarusIn Appreciation of Rabbi Gerber Larry & JoAnn Katz Janette Brown & Randee Brown Jacobs

The Simon L. and Flo C. Streiffer Leadership Development FundIn Memory of:Helen & Charles Schwarcz Sandy Streiffer Schwarcz

Rabbi Emeritus Discretionary FundIn Memory of:Ellen Rosenfeld Lazelle, Amy & Becky AlexanderIn Honor of:Rabbi Loewy’s Retirement Shirley GoldmanIn Appreciation of:Rabbi Loewy Larry & JoAnn Katz Nicholaus Barber

The Louis Leopold Gerler/Plotkin Israel Action FundIn Memory of:Betty Brown Lynn & Steven PlotkinEllen Rosenfeld Marion & Harry Mohre

N’davotContributions

Tikun Olam FundIn Memory of:Ellen Rosenfeld George & Laura Fuhrman Barri & Sally Bronston Miriam Latter The Vizelberg Family Marilyn Lake Neumann Jeff & Linda Green Cindy & Avrom Denn Jill & Lee Plotkin Michael Davidson Michele & Vadim Gelman Dianne Green-Freeman & David Freeman Betsy & David Becker Susan & Gerald Levin Carol & Harold Asher & Family Julie & Stephen Cohen Rachel Bergman Leslie & Nathan Fischman Phyllis Allison Susan & Howard Green Cynthia & Hank Greenwald Dee Dee & Lester Dulitz Rena & Gary WidzerSimon RosenbergHarry RosenbergBetty Brown Cindy & Avrom DennIn Honor of:Rabbi Gerber The Vizelberg FamilyRabbi Loewy’s Retirement Rena & Gary Widzer

This month we spotlight Lev B’Lev.. This fund, also known as The Caring Fund, is used to help congregants during the more difficult moments. Whether helping with food for a minyan, or providing help when a household member is sick, this fund allows the Caring Committee to help you in your times of need.

Fund Spotlight

Lev B’Lev(The Caring Fund)

Thank you to all for your donations. Our Congregation, Sisterhood and

Brotherhood Funds all help to make our synagogue run smoothly.

We are deeply appreciative of your generosity.

Rabbi David Gerber.....................Senior RabbiRabbi Robert H. Loewy............Rabbi EmeritusJack H. Schulman............Temple Administrator Philip Gaethe R.J.E................Temple EducatorVictoria May...........................Cantorial SoloistMelanie Blitz.................Nursery School DirectorDavid Dulitz........................................PresidentAaron Wolfson..................Exec.Vice-PresidentJonathan Fawer..........................Vice-PresidentBetsy Becker...............................Vice-PresidentTraci Roane................................Vice-PresidentDarrah Caplan...................................TreasurerLane Cohen.........................Financial Secretary Rella Zapletal....................Recording SecretaryDiana Mann...................Sisterhood PresidentMike Fein........................Brotherhood PresidentLexi Erdheim.........................Rabbinic InternCharlie Cox....Director of Youth Engagement

Leadership & Staff

Congregation Gates of Prayer4000 West Esplanade AvenueMetairie, LA 70002(504) 885-2600; office@gatesofprayer.orgwww.gatesofprayer.org

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Metairie, LA Permit No. 170

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Temple EmailsRabbi David Gerberrabbi@gatesofprayer.orgRabbi Robert Loewy: rabbiL@gatesofprayer.orgJack H. Schulman:administrator@gatesofprayer.orgVictoria May: tory@gatesofprayer.orgPhil Gaethe: educator@gatesofprayer.orgMelanie Blitz: nursery@gatesofprayer.orgDavid Dulitz:president@gatesofprayer.orgMike Fein: brotherhood@gatesofprayer.orgDiana Mann: sisterhood@gatesofprayer.orgLeslie Miller: office@gatesofprayer.orgMichelle Bassham:accounting@gatesofprayer.orgLexi Erdheim:lexi@gatesofprayer.orgCharlie Cox:JewCCY@gmail.com

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Gates of Prayer BulletinPublished monthly by Congregation

Gates of Prayer, 4000 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, LA 70002, Editor: Victoria May

The deadline is the 15th of the month.

Please e-mail your articles to: tory@gatesofprayer.org.

Congregation Gates of Prayeris affiliated with

the Union for Reform Judaism.

The onlything missing

from ourcommunity

is you!

All are welcome!

mailto:office@gatesofprayer.orgwww.gatesofprayer.orgmailto:tory@gatesofprayer.org