Voice of Chaim - ShulCloud · 2020. 10. 22. · is formed, you decide when and where you want to meet. Looking forward to seeing new Roots groups this year. Have questions or want

Voice of Chaim

www.etzchaim.net February 2020 ▪ Shevat/Adar 5780 ▪ Volume 44, Issue 2

Inside this issue:

From Rabbi Dorsch Page 2

From Our Executive Director Page 2

From Our President Page 3

Director of Engagement Page 3

Education News Page 4

From Our Youth Director Page 6

Our Etz Chaim Community Page 7

B’nai Mitzvah Page 9

Sisterhood Scoop Page 10

Men’s Club Update Page 11

Lilmode Pages 12 - 14

#renewal2020 Page 19

Yahrzeits Page 20

Calendar Page 21

Youth Department Fundraiser Pages 25 and 26

Tzedakah Pages 32 and 33

Daily Minyan Times:

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Shabbat Services: Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Voice of Chaim ▪ February 2020

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From Our Executive Director

“Even though February was the shortest month of the year, sometimes it seemed like the longest.”

~J.D. Robb

2020 is a leap year so we have an extra day in February, the 29th.

We need leap years to keep our modern-day Gregorian calendar in alignment with Earth's revolutions around the Sun. It takes Earth approximately 365.242189 days, or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds, to circle once around the Sun. This is called a tropical year, and astronomers measure this from the March equinox.

However, the Gregorian calendar has only 365 days in a year. If we didn't add a leap day on February 29, nearly every four years, we would lose almost six hours off our calendar every single year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by around 24 days!

Of course, months in the Jewish calendar are based on the phases of the Moon. A new month begins on the day of the Crescent Moon after the New Moon phase. Because the sum of 12 lunar months is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, a 13th month is periodically added to keep the calendar in step with the astronomical seasons.

If you are interested in a Leap Year road trip, then you can head to Anthony, Texas, which is known as the “Leap Year Capital of the World.” Every leap year, this tiny town hosts the Worldwide Leap Year Festival.

In 1988, local resident Mary Ann Brown and her neighbor Birdie Lewis, both born on a leap day, approached the Chamber of Commerce with the idea of a leap year festival and a leap year birthday club. They wanted to give the town local recognition and help raise funds for the community. The governors of both New Mexico and Texas later declared Anthony the “Leap Year Capital of the World”.

Since 1988, Anthony throws birthday festivals every leap year for people born on February 29. People throughout the USA and overseas travel to this tiny town to take part in parades, birthday dinners, and hot air balloon lifts. Participants range from babies celebrating their first birthday, to people in their 90’s celebrating another leap day birthday. In 1992, a man registered his 104-year-old mother, born on a leap day, for the festival.

Just to get them out of the way for another four years, here are some Leap Year/Leap Day jokes: Where do most people eat on Leap Day? IHOP. What kind of music do you listen to on Leap Day? Hip Hop. What do kids play on Leap Day? Hop-scotch What do you tell a hitchhiker on Leap Day? Hop In.

The good news is, like those terrible jokes, February doesn’t last any longer than it has to even with the extra day; consequently, we get to March quicker which is nice because my birthday is in March.

Marty Gilbert

From Our Rabbi If I had a time machine, there are many places I would go. But recently, I’ve been thinking about how much fun it would be to travel back to East Cobb in the 1970s and 80s and take a drive up Johnson Ferry Road.

Whenever I talk to an Etz Old-Timer, or a minyanaire, I always enjoy hearing stories about what East Cobb used to be like. Some stories you would expect. There were many more farms and fewer subdivisions. The bridge over the Chattahoochee was two lanes in either direction.

But then, there are the other stories. Stories about how the Klan used to rally at the Corner of Johnson Ferry and Roswell Roads. Less-than-subtle anti-Semitism from local clergy on or off the pulpit.

Today, like the roads, the religious landscape of our community has changed dramatically. We get along copacetic (a fun English word whose origins are the Hebrew “kol beseder”) with our non-Jewish neighbors, and all would acknowledge that East Cobb remains a great place to raise a Jewish family. In place of the KKK, 400 of us celebrate Shabbat in East Cobb Park, have a nosh at Bagelicious, buy kosher food at Kroger, or we shop in Target for Chanukah decorations. The priest at Saint Peter/Saint Paul is teaching me to kayak. “Baby, look how far we’ve come.”

That said, I believe that the time has come to stop keeping the secret of our exceptional community such a secret. One of my personal frustrations is when I encounter Atlantans who still see East Cobb as the stix or when I encounter ITP Jews who are stunned to discover that there are nearly 18,000 Jews living in East Cobb. When I tell them what we have here, they are surprised: how could anything remotely like the terrific quality of Jewish life we have built together exist outside of the perimeter?

In 2017 the median age of a person living in the Atlanta metro-area was 33 years old. If they haven’t already, children will be coming to this age cohort soon. And I strongly believe that if we want to educate this younger demographic to see crossing the river as a wonderful, affordable option, we need to create more of a public presence for our shul community.

To this end, I would like to announce two new initiatives. The first will be a formation of an Etz Chaim Public-Presence Task Force. The goal of this task force will be to look at the coming calendar year to explore ways that we may as a community expand our presence in East Cobb, and even to increase our community’s visibility in greater Atlanta.

The second initiative is that we are excited to begin the process of putting together a website: jewisheastcobb.net. Once complete, it will be a portal full of details about our Jewish community, as well as the general community, for people who may wish to consider making the move to our area.

If I had a time machine, I would certainly travel to the past. But given the exciting things transpiring in our community, I also couldn’t wait to travel to the future to see what comes next.

Rabbi Dan Dorsch

https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/tropical-year.html

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/seasons.html

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Roots - Etz Chaim’s Small Group Initiative

I am writing this article on January 2, the start of a new secular year and decade. The New Year is a time to think about how you want to spend your time this year. So, what do you want to spend your time on this year? What interests or hobbies would you like to do with others at Etz Chaim? I ask this because we have created Roots, our small interest-based groups initiative. As Etz Chaim, tree of life, our roots are essential and Roots groups are an essential way to ensure every member feels connected. You don’t always see tree roots just like you might not see Etz Chaim Roots groups, as many of these activities will take place outside of our walls. Here is a chance to build relationships with people who share a common interest; it spans across all age demographics. Churches have been doing this for years. Now synagogues throughout Atlanta and across the United States are also adapting this engagement model.

Have you heard about our walking/running Roots group at Etz Chaim? It meets on Sunday mornings at Etz Chaim. How about our movies group that goes to see a Sunday matinee PG/PG13 movie once a month at Merchant’s Walk? Join our hiking group that meets monthly at locations around Atlanta. Do you love visual arts? We are starting an artist collective where different artists will share their talents and work on a group art project. See more details about these small groups on page 22. What small interest-based group do you want at Etz Chaim? Let’s make it happen! A group can be formed once we have a volunteer leader and five committed members. Once a group is formed, you decide when and where you want to meet. Looking forward to seeing new Roots groups this year. Have questions or want to form a new Roots group, please call me at 770-973-0137 or email me at [email protected].

Are you a new member or do you know of prospective members who would be interested in learning more about Etz Chaim? Please join us or extend an invitation to the Welcome Brunch on Sunday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m. See page 7 for details.

Thank you, again, to the Joyce and Ramie Tritt Family Foundation for enabling us to bring in the dynamic Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Sid Schwarz. We have three Lilmode classes this month: Chanting Trope with instructor Miriam Rosenbaum starting Sunday, February 2, at 10:00 a.m. Conversational Yiddish starting on Sunday, February 2, at 1:00 p.m. and lastly, Achieving Work, Life, Balance with Rabbi Dorsch and guest speakers starting Tuesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m. Please note a date change. Classes are now February 4, 18 and 25. See page 13 for details.

Have you attended our monthly musical Shabbat, Shabbat Sasson? Enjoy new and familiar tunes together while experiencing services in the round. Shabbat Sasson service is February 21 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a dairy potluck dessert oneg this month. See details on page 22. Additionally, our annual Beatles Blue Jean Shabbat is on February 28 at 6:15 p.m. for dinner followed by services at 7:15 p.m. Please let me know if you would like to join the band. For more information, see page 27.

We have a new monthly playgroup for children 0-14 months and their parents called Baby and Me. Our first Baby and Me Playgroup is Sunday, February 2, at 10:00 a.m. in Phillip’s Library. See more details on Page 6.

Did you see last month’s cover about our Etz Chaim Family Retreat on March 6-8? This is going to be a great getaway for all ages. You do not want to miss out! For details, go to page 15.

L’shalom, Heather

From Our President From Our Director of EngagementWhere has the time gone and how did I get here? Questions we all ask. Please let me introduce myself and tell you how I got here.

A little over two years ago, while I was serving on Etz Chaim’s Executive Committee, Todd Surden and Allison Saffran asked me to consider becoming the Executive Vice President of our congregation while Allison served as President. The expectation was that I would succeed Allison as President after she completed her two-year term. I was humbled and honored and, after some consideration of the commitments required, I agreed to jump on the leadership train. But really, who am I and how did I get here?

In 1973, my father took a job in Atlanta, and our family moved from Hollywood, Florida, where I was born, to Roswell, Georgia. In those days, there wasn’t much going on in Roswell, even less in the way of Jewish life (although I can report that the one and only Chinese restaurant back then is still in business). While growing up, my family joined The Temple in Atlanta but it was far from our home and as a result we did not regularly attend, and I did not have much formal Jewish education. However, as a family we celebrated Shabbat dinners (sometimes), the High Holidays, Passover, and Hanukah (and ate at that Chinese restaurant). After graduating from Riverwood High School, I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When I left for college, my parents encouraged me to seek out Hillel. I became very active in UNC’s small Hillel. It truly became a home away from home for me.

After college, I moved back to Atlanta in the late 1980s to attend Emory Law School. After graduating, I started working in a small law firm as a litigator and joined The Temple’s young professionals group. I wanted to meet more people in the Atlanta area after having been focused on school, have a place for High Holiday services, and yes, meet an NJB. And I did! Kenny and I met at a young professionals event—Rabbi Alvin Sugarman led a discussion on the Jewish perspective on death (no kidding) and somehow that inspired Kenny to introduce himself to me. Not too long after that, in 1992, Rabbi Sugarman performed our marriage ceremony, and in 1995, Andrea, the first of our three daughters, was born, and we moved to East Cobb.

After we moved, we wanted to join a synagogue closer to home. While I had grown up in a reform home, Kenny grew up at Ahavath Achim, a conservative congregation. Also, his aunt and uncle, Arleen and Marty Taffel and their family, were among the earliest members of Etz Chaim (joining pre-Rabbi Lewis), and they encouraged us to join Etz Chaim. Significantly, Arleen explained to a somewhat skeptical me that Etz Chaim was egalitarian and women were full and valued participants. I could not have been here any other way. In addition, as with so many of our families, the gateway to our Etz Chaim involvement was our wonderful Preschool led by Debbie Deutsch. Over the years, our three girls, Andrea, Morgan, and Rebecca, all attended the Preschool, camp during preschool summers, and Religious School, and became B’not Mitzvah on our Etz Chaim bema, and all view Etz Chaim as their second home (Camp Barney is their first home). Since becoming a member, I have served on the Preschool Board, the Youth Commission, and on various ad hoc committees, as Sisterhood Co-President and Membership Chair, on the Board of Trustees, and now the Executive Committee.

But all of this information is mere background. What is really important is the community my family and I have found through being involved and making our lives with this “village”.

(Continued on the bottom of page 7)

mailto:[email protected]

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From Our Youth Director

Snapstory. Jodle. Finsta.

Did you just read those words and think I wrote some nonsense? You’re not alone! Pre-teens and teens today are communicating in so many ways that it’s hard for us to keep up! We often have discussions on the dangers of social media and what they shouldn’t do when using these ever-changing platforms…but why don’t we ever discuss the positives to using them?

When I was a senior in high school, there was this new thing that everyone was joining called Facebook. It was cool at the time because you could only join it if you had a college email address. Once my friends and I got our acceptance information, we immediately joined. Facebook helped us communicate with our new roommates (decreasing the anxiety of calling a complete stranger we were going to be living with a few months later) while also hearing about the schools we were going to be attending from current students without any censorship. Now, mostly adults use this once-flagship social media platform to connect with family and friends they otherwise would have difficulty in locating.

As you get older, many of us have memories we try to hold close to our hearts, though they get more and more difficult to see clearly. One of my favorite memories from childhood was going to my grandparents’ apartment. There are many things about those trips that are very special to me, like late-night card games with my siblings and my grandfather’s fantastic pancakes in the morning. Something else I can clearly remember are the rows

and rows of photo albums that lined their shelves. My grandparents took photos at every event and every time they traveled, and they kept very organized photo albums by year in their den. After they passed away, one of my aunts took possession of them, and each time we visit New Jersey, we go through them and take the pictures that mean something to us. I often wonder what it would’ve been like if my grandparents were around and learned how to use Instagram. Being able to instantly share your travels, time with friends and family, and, yes, even food, with millions and millions of people would have blown their minds!

Social Media definitely has its dangers. It’s become a useful tool for such destructive behaviors as bullying, fraud and trafficking. If you aren’t careful, you could easily give away access to your identity. However, for our “young adults”, social media has so many upsides that can’t be ignored. Do you remember Pen Pals? Think about how much easier that is with social media. Being able to connect to so many in so few steps is such an amazing thing that I think we all take for granted.

P.S. Do you know what those first three things are? Email me for a special shout-out next month!

Steven Resnick

Please support our Youth Department. See pages 25 and 26 to help fund our programs. Thank you.

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Mazal Tov to… Judy and Joel Schancupp on the birth of grandson, Hayes Rochkin, born on October 25 to Jessica and Hal Rochkind

Joyce and Ramie Tritt on the birth of grand-son, Russell Siegel, born on January 6 to Carly and David Siegel

Kol HaKavod to…

Cheryl Eppsteiner, Cindy Lewis and Marsha Shrago on their webinar for Women of the Wall. This webinar is aimed at teaching women in other congregations how to start a Rosh Chodesh Minyan. The webinar Rosh Hodesh: Make it Yours! aired on January 23

Condolences to…

Maury Shapiro on the loss of his beloved father, Gerald Shapiro

Thank You to our Office Volunteers… Lou Rosengarten Maxine Schein Linda Weinroth

Thank You to our Program Volunteers… Debbie Adelman Linda Ames Josh and Michelle Azriel Donna Bierman Evan Caras

Steven and Marcy Caras Bob Frohlich Audrey and Michael Gordon Helene and Philip Jacoby Daniel Jones Jennifer Lane Delores Lazerson Larry and Elaine Sandak Marsha Shrago Judy Schancupp Maxine Schein

A special thank you to Marty Gilbert for picking up Chanukah Fun-a-kah Chinese dinner from Buford Highway.

Have news you’d like to share with our community? Please contact Bernice in the shul office at [email protected].

From Our President (Continued from page 3)

We have met and made friends, shared joys and sorrows, celebrated simchas, and mourned the loss of family and friends. We’ve been fortunate to have Rabbi Lewis and Cindy as our neighbors in our own little Hampton Woods “shtetl”. Through Etz Chaim, we have learned and grown in our connection to Judaism and our heritage. It is not an exaggeration to say that Etz Chaim has helped Kenny and me build our adult lives and raise our family.

Becoming President of this exceptional Congregation is a privilege and an honor. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Allison Saffran, a dear friend, and for the past two years, an amazing mentor, whose dedication to Etz Chaim is unmatched. I also am honored to follow in the footsteps of Todd Surden, Cheryl Miller, Scott Rittenberg, and all of the other men and women before them who, in serving as President of Etz Chaim, have dedicated themselves to building our community. Together, over the past decades, we, the members of the Etz Chaim community have built a beautiful physical and metaphysical space to worship and share life and our Judaism in all of its many joys and occasional sorrows. I look forward to working with our current, dedicated clergy, professional staff, and lay leaders, our many volunteers and donors, and all congregants in this new decade as we continue to build upon our tremendous legacy.

Linda Pollock

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A hearty Mazal Tov to This student Celebrating her bat Mitzvah!


Upcoming B’nai Mitzvah

The Voice of Chaim features information on upcoming B’nai Mitzvah.

If your child has a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the coming months, we would like to feature your child’s:

▪ Biographical information ▪ School information ▪ Photo ▪ D’Var Torah Quote ▪ Mitzvah project

To have your child’s simcha included in the Voice, please email the Bio form which is included in the B’nai Mitzvah Handbook from the Religious S cho o l a l on g w it h a h i g h resolution photo to Bernice in the Synagogue office at: [email protected]

All materials must be received no later than the 1st of the preceding month. We will gladly accept material earlier.

Daily Minyan Times:

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m.

Hannah Buxbaum will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on February 1, 2020. She is the daughter of Lisa and Adam Buxbaum. Her Bat Mitzvah parasha is Bo. Hannah is a 7th grader at Dodgen Middle School. Hannah has been a student in Etz Chaim’s Religious School for eight years and attended our Preschool for three years. Her hobbies and interests include competitive swimming for the last five years on Chattahoochee Gold. Hannah competed in the Maccabi Games 2019 and loves spending time with friends and singing in chorus.

For Hannah’s mitzvah project, Hannah is working with autistic children helping to teach them how to swim through Each One Coach One.

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Minyan Makers If you are available to help make minyan on a Thursday at 6:30 p.m., sign up at: https://preview.tinyurl.com/Thursday minyan. For more information, contact Marsha Bernstein at [email protected].

Centerpiece Rental Consider using our beautiful new topiary centerpieces for your Friday night dinner, Kiddush luncheon or Saturday evening affair. Contact the Gift Shop for more information.

JNF Trees for Israel Honor someone special by purchasing a tree in the Etz Chaim Sisterhood grove. For more information, contact the Sandy Bailey at 770-490-7874 or the Gift Shop.

For more information about Sisterhood, please contact:

Donna Bruckner at 678-492-1008 [email protected]

OR

Melissa Sklar at 404-520-0955 [email protected]

Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook or at etzchaim.net

The Sisterhood Scoop

ATTENTION ETZ CHAIM MEMBERS:

If you are planning to be away for an extended amount of time, please inform the office.

Judaica and Gifts Shop Hours

Religious School in Session: Sundays 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.

Tuesdays 4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

Thursdays 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.

Our year is off to a great start! We hope that you will mark your calendars for our wonderful upcoming events.

Join us for Book Club on February 2 at 10:00 a.m. We are reading Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner. Thank you, Marsha Bernstein, for hosting this month’s meeting. Please see our ad on page 9 for more information. March Book Club will be held at the home of Iris Bachenheimer on March 1, at 10:00 a.m. We will be reading Barren Island by Carol Zoref.

We hope to see you on February 8, for Sisterhood Shabbat. Join us for a morning of prayer and friendship as your fellow Sisters lead Shabbat services, and stay for a delicious kiddush luncheon followingxservices.

Looking for something different to do on a Monday evening? Come to Game Show Night! Join us as the Sisterhoods of Etz Chaim and Beth Tikvah come together for a fun night of games, schmoozing, desserts and fun! Monday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Tikvah. See our ad on page 16.

Rosh Chodesh Adar will be on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00 a.m. Please join us in solidarity with Women of the Wall. See page 18 for details.

By now you should have received an email containing a personalized code which will allow you to access the Happy Purim website. Please support this fundraiser and perform a wonderful mitzvah by sending Mishloach Manot. Sisterhood’s adorable themed Purim Baskets are sure to make your Etz Chaim family members who are lucky recipients smile. Please contact Edye Mahaffey at 404-213-9571 or Judy Fineman at 404-388-9980 if you need more information. See our ad on page 18.

Please save the date: Monday, March 30, for Miriam’s Seder, led by Amy Dorsch. We will celebrate sheroism, past and present, told through a special women’s Haggadah. See our ad on page 14.

Sisterhood is in charge of making minyan on Thursday evenings. We are one of the only shuls in this area that has daily minyan. Therefore, many people are coming to Etz Chaim to say Kaddish on a daily basis. Please help your community by attending and participating in this mitzvah.

Sisterhood Judaica & Gifts: The Gift Shop will be open Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11:30-1:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30-12:30 p.m. Please note, Thursday hours have changed. Also, we are only open Tuesday and Sunday when Religious School is in session and Thursday when the Synagogue is open. We hope you will take advantage of this convenience as Sisterhood is always striving to meet the needs of our congregation. Please come and see our wonderful new merchandise - Mezuzot, Seder Plates, jewelry and more. See our ad on page 33.

Want to feel a part of Sisterhood? Volunteer! Minyan, gift shop, Z’havah, committees. The possibilities are endless. Feel connected, get involved, have fun and meet people. If you are interested, please contact Donna Bruckner at 678-492-1008, [email protected] or Missy Sklar at 404-520-0955, [email protected].

Until next time... Donna and Missy Co-Presidents, Sisterhood

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Men’s Club Update I wish a hearty Yasher Koach to Alan Lightstone, President, and Chuck Bernstein, Co-President, for three outstanding years of service to Men’s Club. Terms are typically two years each and these gentlemen stepped up when needed!

January 12 marked our Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and Installation of officers for 2020. For those of you who were not able to attend, the Officers and Trustees for 2020 are as follows:

Officers:

Jeff Frankel President OPEN Co-President Jeff Frankel Treasurer Bart Agrow VP – Programming Jerry Cohen VP – Activities Chuck Bernstein VP – Membership Daniel Pransky Corresponding Secretary John Chaifetz Recording Secretary Alan Lightstone Parliamentarian

Ad Hoc Members: Rabbi Daniel Dorsch Martin Gilbert – Executive Director

Just a quick reminder about our Upcoming Events:

Worldwide Wrap—Sunday, February 2, at 9:00 a.m. Each year Men’s Clubs around the world help to sustain the tradition of putting on Tefillin. Please come and help us train the children of the Religious School on how to put on Tefillin. Ad on page 7.

Annual Men’s Club Retreat—Friday, February 7 – Sunday, February 9 There is still time to sign up for this great event. Join us for a weekend of Food, Fun and Ruach in the North Georgia Mountains. This year will focus on “The Art of Balancing Lives—Husband, Father, Employee, Jew, Son and Human”. Look for additional information about additional incentives (beyond the $50 provided by the club) that will be provided to first time retreat attendees through the Steve Krodman Fund. Contact Mark Isbitts if you have any questions about the Retreat at [email protected] or myself about Krodman Fund incentives at [email protected].

Passover Brisket Sale—March Be on the lookout for an announcement in March for our Annual Passover Brisket Sale. B‘shalom, Jeff Frankel President

Men’s Club is a vital part of our congregation. Our ongoing programs include:

▪ Supporting daily minyan

▪ Sponsoring picnics

▪ World Wide Wrap

▪ Providing scholarships

▪ Men’s Club Shabbat

▪ Anshei Darom Retreat

▪ Synagogue Softball League

▪ Usher for High Holidays

▪ Support Holocaust Garden

Our goal is to provide our members with opportunities to meet one another and make new lasting friendships, support our community and have fun during the process.

JOIN MEN’S CLUB and make a difference in our Etz Chaim community.

GET ON THE LIST - CONTACT: Chuck Bernstein at [email protected] or Alan Lightstone at [email protected]

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

EVENING MINYAN—

Sunday through Thursday

at 6:30 p.m.

Trustees:

Stefan Pollack Henry Levine Arvin Goldberg Barry Riesenberg Bruce Goldstein Al Sapozni Joseph Goldstein David Selby Bob Gordon Richard Smith Hank Needle Barry Teitelman Steve Dix – FJMC Region Advisor


http://[email protected]

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Lilmode Happenings

Weekly Torah Study @ The Etz with the Rabbi

Thursday Morning

at 10:00 a.m.

Talmud

Stories from the Talmud with Rabbi Dorsch

See you March 17, at 8:00 a.m.

Join Rabbi Dorsch every other month for Talmud study following morning minyan. Breakfast will be served. All are welcome.

Monthly Lunch & Learn Tuesdays at Noon at Aprio

5 Concourse Parkway, Ste. 1000 ▪ Atlanta, GA 30328

Our next Lunch & Learn is Tuesday, February 4 RSVP to Betsy at [email protected], so we can be sure to have enough pizza.

Check our website at www.etzchaim.net/calendar for future dates.

Tzedakah Project for JF&CS’ Kosher Food Pantry

Etz Chaim continues to college food for the JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry. Right now, They are low on the following items: Canned tuna and salmon, shelf stable milk, cereal, pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, Publix brand Macaroni and cheese, kosher soup and soup packets.

Please make sure ALL items are marked with a kosher symbol.

For more information, contact Bob Beer at [email protected]

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Lilmode Happenings

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Make your reser vation by January 30!

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in the Allan and Vivian Levine Family Chapel

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Bereavement Services Offered to Congregants

Etz Chaim’s Chesed Committee will offer to provide meals of consolation to members. This meal is traditionally a dairy meal eaten by mourners upon their return home from the funeral. It includes whole hard-boiled eggs, symbolizing the continuity of life. This service provided by the Chesed Committee allows the family and friends who normally provide the meal to attend the funeral themselves and give the emotional support to the bereaved. Members attending out of town funerals, who sit shiva or hold a memorial service in Atlanta, will be offered a fruit tray.

Contributions made to the Chesed Fund will help to fund these services.

Please contact: Lisa Flagel—678-591-7950

Your cooperation please!

The disabled parking spots are reserved for the exclusive use of those with permits. These spaces are not to be used by anyone else at anytime. There is no parking under the Education Wing overhang. It is a fire code violation.

Family Member In the Hospital?

The rabbi has asked that you notify the synagogue office in the event of a family member’s hospital stay or serious illness.

February Yahrzeits Memorialize a loved one with a Brick in our Holocaust Memorial Garden or a

Plaque on our Yahrzeit Wall. For information, please contact the synagogue office.

*Denotes a memorial plaque in our sanctuary to be lit on the day of the yahrzeit and on all Yizkor holidays.

* 1 February Ira Altfeder 6 Shevat

* 1 February Steven Krodman 6 Shevat

1 February Lucille Ehrlich 6 Shevat

1 February Samuel Kahn 6 Shevat

2 February Leona Weiner 7 Shevat

2 February Rae Weiss 7 Shevat

2 February Theodore Gordon 7 Shevat

* 3 February Harold Stiller 8 Shevat

* 3 February Ruth Lutzky 8 Shevat

4 February Edward Fortas 9 Shevat

4 February Estelle Marsand 9 Shevat

4 February Henia Mayers 9 Shevat

4 February Manny Riesenberg 9 Shevat

4 February Robbie Goldin 9 Shevat

* 6 February Nathan Rosenzweig 11 Shevat

6 February Gertrude Olens 11 Shevat

* 7 February William Galin 12 Shevat

7 February Christopher Hassey 12 Shevat

* 8 February Sam Szeftel 13 Shevat

8 February Bernard Levit 13 Shevat

* 9 February Sarah Graiser 14 Shevat

9 February Jeanette Katz 14 Shevat

9 February Rose Wexler 14 Shevat

* 10 February Donald M. Sencer 15 Shevat

* 10 February Ruth Richman 15 Shevat

10 February Charles Wexler 15 Shevat

10 February Eddie Masters 15 Shevat

10 February Herman Davis 15 Shevat

11 February Lorry Deino 16 Shevat

11 February Sandy Zelony 16 Shevat

* 12 February Bernard Cohen 17 Shevat

* 12 February Leo Altfeder 17 Shevat

12 February Lionel Schlosberg 17 Shevat

12 February Samuel Scopp 17 Shevat

12 February Sidney Itzkowitz 17 Shevat

* 13 February Selda K. Slater 18 Shevat

13 February Sylvia Berman 18 Shevat

* 14 February Annette Krugman 19 Shevat

14 February Anne Leibowitz 19 Shevat

14 February Elsie Simon 19 Shevat

14 February Vincent Restivo 19 Shevat

15 February Bernard Levine 20 Shevat

15 February Dorothy Smith 20 Shevat

* 16 February Grace King 21 Shevat

* 16 February Jeffrey Donner 21 Shevat

* 16 February Morris Wachter 21 Shevat

16 February Emery Gray 21 Shevat

16 February Seymour A. Ziskend 21 Shevat

* 17 February Gertrude Weis 22 Shevat

17 February Alan Medof 22 Shevat

17 February Jerome Karp 22 Shevat

17 February Millie Loewy 22 Shevat

17 February Miriam Kaye 22 Shevat

17 February Roberta D. Dikeman 22 Shevat

* 18 February Jack Agrow 23 Shevat

19 February Joan Rabin 24 Shevat

19 February Louis Simon 24 Shevat

* 20 February Harry Lutzky 25 Shevat

20 February Barbara Baer 25 Shevat

20 February Benjamin Branson 25 Shevat

20 February Gertrude Wilensky 25 Shevat

20 February Jerome Sacks 25 Shevat

20 February Stephen Schwartz 25 Shevat

20 February William Bernstein 25 Shevat

20 February William Reiss 25 Shevat

* 21 February Hermine Bachrach 26 Shevat

21 February Beverly W. Isaac 26 Shevat

21 February Bob Gordon 26 Shevat

21 February Harry Shrago 26 Shevat

21 February Leon Epstein 26 Shevat

21 February Nathan Greenstein 26 Shevat

21 February Sheila Zager 26 Shevat

22 February Arnold Kusnitz 27 Shevat

22 February Cynthia Freeman 27 Shevat

22 February Estelle Weinberger 27 Shevat

23 February Clara Beker 28 Shevat

23 February Herbert Sackett 28 Shevat

* 24 February Deborah J. S. Cohen 29 Shevat

24 February Lillian Cohen 29 Shevat

24 February Richard Bachrach 29 Shevat

24 February Sadie Feinberg 29 Shevat

25 February Leonard Klein 30 Adar I

* 26 February Antonia Weitz 1 Adar I

26 February Andrea Taratoot 1 Adar

26 February Jeanette Karp 1 Adar

26 February Martin Sternbach 1 Adar

26 February Sondra David 1 Adar II

* 27 February Ida Cheslin 2 Adar II

27 February Arthur Levin 2 Adar II

27 February Bernice Weinstein 2 Adar II

27 February Carol Shapiro 2 Adar

27 February Jeffrey Unger 2 Adar

27 February John H. Frank 2 Adar

27 February Millie S. Cohen 2 Adar II

27 February Richard Rosenbaum 2 Adar

27 February Rose Etscovitz 2 Adar I

27 February Samuel Shafferman 2 Adar

* 28 February Perry Schulberg 3 Adar

28 February Arnold Freedman 3 Adar I

28 February Leona Weitz 3 Adar I

28 February Ralph Geldbart 3 Adar II

28 February Sean Black 3 Adar II

* 29 February Albert L. Lewis 4 Adar I

29 February Bruce Ripley 4 Adar I

29 February Raymond Smith 4 Adar II

29 February Sarah Shultz 4 Adar I

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Roots—Etz Chaim’s Small Group Initiative

Have you heard about Roots, Etz Chaim’s new interest-based small groups initiative? Check out the Roots groups we already have below. What small interest-based group do you want at Etz Chaim? Let’s make it happen! A group can be formed once we have a volunteer leader and five committed members. Once a group is formed, you decide when and where you want to meet. Have questions or want to form a new Roots group? Please contact Heather Blake, Director of Engagement, at 770-973-0137 or email her at [email protected]. If you are interested in being part of an Engagement Committee to help oversee Roots groups, please let Heather know.

Roots Movie Group

Roots Hiking Group Explore local beauty by joining us on a hike once a month on a Sunday afternoon. This small group is open to all ages and abilities. Please reach out to Dani Oren at to be added to the email list at [email protected]. Information will also be shared in the Etz Chaim Virtual Kiddush Facebook Group. (See ad on page 17.)




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Publication’s Title and Number: Voice of Chaim ▪ Volume 44 ▪ Issue 2 Issue Date: February 2020 Frequency: Monthly Authorized Organization’s Name and Address: Congregation Etz Chaim ▪ 1190 Indian Hills Pkwy. ▪ Marietta, GA 30068

Questions about purchasing a

cemetery plot? Call Marty Gilbert

770-973-0137

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1032 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta | SolanaEastCobb.com

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Contributions processed from November 28 through December 31, 2019

GENERAL FUND

In celebration of:

the anniversary of Joyce and Ramie Tritt Allan and Paula Freedman

In honor of:

Phyllis Frankel Steve Frankel

In memory of:

Sylvia Cohen Douglas and Eileen Cohen

Gerson A. Levy Marcy and Steven Caras

Herbert S. Goldstein Philip and Elise Goldstein

Craig Sanders, brother of Sheri Rosenblum. Our sincere condolences on your loss. Ron and Karen Feibel

Wishing continued good health to Stacy Efrat. Marjie and Myron Butler and Gloria Weintraub

RABBI DORSCH DISCRETIONARY FUND

In appreciation of:

Rabbi Dorsch for his help and guidance throughout the Bar Mitzvah process Adam and Elizabeth Low

Jon and Maxine Schein. My heartfelt thanks. For everything. Marcy Graiser

In loving memory of:

Robert Coltman Barnet Coltman

our dear sister, Sandra Jarrett Ellen, John, Rebecca and Josh Jarrett

my mother, Marcia Karol Richard J. Karol, MD

In memory of:

Myron Fogel Harris and Stacye Fogel

Sandra Augarten Joshua and Lauren Edelstein

Carl Zager Lee and Debbie Elfenbein

Karen Needle's brother, Jeff Jassen Stefan and Pam Pollack

RABBI LEWIS DISCRETIONARY FUND

Marshall Knauer


my mother, Diana Regitsky Jon and Stacy Regitsky

ROBERT KLEIN MEMORIAL CHESED FUND

In memory of:

Jeff Jassen Barry and Joyce Teitelman

BUILDING ENHANCEMENT FUND

Sherry, Denton, Jeffrey and Samuel Adams

In honor of:

Jeffrey S. Brown for his completion of Talmud study cycle Joan and David Brown


my beloved grandmother, Minnie Altholtz, on her yahrzeit Stan and Linda Bernknopf

our Aunt Libby Crystal Susan, Craig, Paige and Cami Adair

COLLEGE CONNECTION FUND

In honor of:

Tammy and Jeffrey Cohen "With many thanks - Just Because". Sally Greenstein


Esther's parents, Sylvia and Isidor Goodman, and Esther's sister, Judy Friedman Walter and Esther Shultz

In memory of:

Jack Sussman, father of Shannan Collier Stalvey Stefan and Pam Pollack

Wishing Mazal Tov to:

Cecile Bock on the Bar Mitzvah of your grandson, Eli Joseph Bock. May you continue to see "nachat" from all your "dividends". Sally Greenstein

CYNTHIA R. FREEMAN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT


Cynthia Freeman, a wonderful wife, mother and friend

Rita Freeman, a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother Joe Freeman

Craig Sanders, beloved brother of Sheri Rosenblum Lori and Joe Freeman

GERTRUDE AND JOE WILENSKY MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND

In celebration of:

Barbara Wilensky's 75th birthday Leslie and Bob Levy

JOAN H. RABIN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT


my beloved father, Stuart Samuels. Loved and remembered daily. Jeffrey Samuels

In memory of:

Glenda Morris, sister of Tracy Masters Daniel Rabin

KITCHEN FUND

In appreciation of:

an amazing outgoing President for three years of our Ketura Hadassah chapter Sandy Bailey


Marcia Karol Sandy Bailey

In memory of:

Samuel Klemes Yucht. You are always in our hearts. Jonathan and Maxine Schein

LINDA H. WEINROTH EDUCATION FUND

In honor of:

Linda Weinroth’s Birthday! We look forward to your birthday calls! The Brills

In memory of:

Dora Berger. We still miss you every day. Iris, Jerry and Michael Silver


my mother, Evelyn Ebel Lynn and Bob Sustak

my Father, Alex David. When you say “Taco”…say “Viva!” Miss you, Daddy. Robin Brill

In memory of:

Thelma and Bernard Lehman Robert and Barbara Lehman

MORRIS FRANK SACRED TEXT FUND


my beloved wife, Etta Block Davis Frederick Davis

Morris Frank Jason and Allie Frank

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Contributions processed from November 28 through December 31, 2019

PHILLIP MICHAEL SILVERMAN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT


Milton Chasin Dennis and Deborah Renyi

In memory of:

Rachel Shemaria. We know memories of her will bring smiles and comfort very soon. Alan and Bonnie Silverman

PHILLIP'S LIBRARY FUND

In memory of:

Isadore Cohn

Esther Cohen Beverly Cohen

my mother, Lee Silverman, on her yahrzeit. Mom, I will love you forever. Bobby Robert Silverman

PRESCHOOL FUND

In appreciation of:

Scott Rittenberg. Thanks for the guidance and support to our family during a very difficult time! Adele Greenspon

In honor of:

Sheri and Bob Frohlich on the birth of their granddaughter, Raya Bachar Ari and Dana Greenberg

In memory of:

Jef Jaisun, brother of Karen Needle

Craig Sanders, brother of Sheri Rosenblum Berna and Noah Levine

Norma Berg Mador. I was so lucky to have you as my mom - so missed, so loved. Neil and Merrie Weiss


Sheri and Bob Frohlich on your new granddaughter Adele Greenspon

RADOW YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

In appreciation of:

Allison Saffran's dedication and service to our congregation Michelle Grey

SOCIAL ACTION FUND


your brother, Jef Jaisun. May his memory be a blessing. Ronni and David Beker In memory of:

Morris Shapiro Randy and Debbi Chartash

SISTERHOOD FUND


Bessie Plotkin, a most wonderful grand-mother who is still missed every single day

Ruben Plotkin who lovingly taught me the Four Questions at Passover and inspired my love of Yiddish. Barbara and Jerry Mayer

STEVEN KRODMAN MEN'S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In celebration of:

the birth of JoAnn and Gary Feinberg's granddaughter, Reagan Claire Dillard Donna Krodman


my stepfather, David Canter Donna Krodman

In memory of:

Lazaro Sapoznik Alberto and Cindee Sapoznik

Gerald Lieberman, father of David Lieberman Donna Krodman


our friend and "framily" member Marty Silverman in honor of his 70th Birthday Rosalie and Bart Agrow

YOUTH FUND

In honor of:

Rabbi Lewis' birthday

Cindy Lewis' birthday Marsha and Chuck Bernstein

In memory of:

Jeff Jassen. Condolences to Karen Needle and family on the passing of her brother. Linda and Stan Bernknopf

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND


Sheri Rosenblum's brother, Craig Sanders Alan and Susan Proctor

Please note:

The Voice of Chaim is produced one month prior to delivery. Donations received after the first of each month may not appear in the current issue. Thank you. We appreciate your Generosity.

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NPO# KY946

Did you know…

You can make your donations online.

For step-by-step entry, go to:

https://www.etzchaim.net/payment.php

For assistance, contact Lisa at 770-973-0137

Torah Reader Communications

We are in the process of restructuring how we recruit Torah readers here at Etz Chaim for Shabbat and Festivals. If you are interested in periodically reading Torah on Shabbat, Rabbi Dorsch would be interested in hearing from you!

If you are currently receiving the weekly emails looking for Torah readers and are no longer interested in receiving the emails, please contact Rabbi Dorsch.

If you are not currently receiving the emails and would like to be placed on our list to read Torah, please contact Rabbi Dorsch. Thank you in advance.

Rabbi Dorsch [email protected]

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Promote Your Business Here!

For advertising information, please contact Bernice in the synagogue office

at 770-973-0137

or by email at [email protected]

Daniel I. Dorsch Rabbi

Shalom J. Lewis Rabbi Emeritus

Martin Gilbert Executive Director

Debbie Deutsch Director of Education

Heather Blake Director of Engagement

Steven Resnick Youth Director

Aram Blankenship Facilities Manager

Bernice Isaac Newsletter Production

Officers Linda J. Pollock President

Jamie Lyons Executive VP

Billy Balser Chief Financial Officer

Alan Lightstone VP of Fundraising

Harris Fogel Co-VP of Religion

Robert Gray Co-VP of Religion

Lance England VP of Education

Elliot Okrent VP of Communications

Dani Oren VP of Membership Services

Tamara Jacobs VP of Engagement

Allison Y. Saffran Immediate Past President and Parliamentarian

Trustees Bob Beer Ken Danis Esther Deino Linda Diamond Jeff Frankel Audrey Fried-Sheets Barry Gang Michelle Grey Lynne Johannesen Bethany Levee Leslie Lubell Helaine Mark Rob Miller Marnie Nadolne Angie Nothdurft Stefan Pollack Suzanne Rivchun Josh Schwartz Marsha Shrago Bonnie Silverman Melissa Sklar

Past Presidents Allison Y. Saffran Todd H. Surden Cheryl Cohen-Miller Scott Rittenberg Stephen Friedman Irwin Berman Bob Bachrach Judy Fineman Norman Radow Debbie Milstein Sue Rothstein David Witt Ken Schlenker George Pristach Richard Smith Allen Shulman Noah Levine Barry Forrest z”l David Tinkelman Ellis Abrams Stephen King

Organizations Donna Bruckner Melissa Sklar Sisterhood Co-Presidents

Jeff Frankel Men’s Club President

Mollie Nadolne USY President

Congregation Etz Chaim

1190 Indian Hills Parkway

Marietta, GA 30068

Synagogue Office 770-973-0137

Education Office 770-977-3384

Fax 770-977-0829

www.etzchaim.net

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #433 Marietta, GA

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Documents

Voice of Chaim - ShulCloud · 2020. 10. 22. · is formed, you decide when and where you want to meet. Looking forward to seeing new Roots groups this year. Have questions or want