A Note From The President By Tom Douglass
Good Things To Come In 2010
Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope this finds all of you happy and healthy.
As I always do this time of year, I started reflecting on all the great Etz Chaim memories from this past year and all of the good things to come in 2010. As I think of Etz Chaim and our community, so many things come to mind: new members, close friends, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, holidays, great programming, camaraderie and so much more.
Most recently, I thought about what a great turn out we had for our traditional lighting of the beautiful new Menorah on the square. The weather was a little chilly, but I was warm inside seeing so many familiar faces, as well as, many new ones. The atmosphere was magnificent as our voices rose in song together, led by Cantor Debbye’s melodic voice. The festivities continued as we returned to the building and smelled the potato latkes from the parking lot. The men, with a little help from the women, did an incredible job making and cooking the latkes. Rabbi Jack enthralled the kids (young and old) with one of his fabulous stories.
It was truly great to see all the kids and the adults playing and schmoozing. I also thought about how many years we have been doing this. It seems like yesterday, our small group walked from the square back to the A & P building for hot chocolate.
The next year, as we grew larger, we had our festivities in the Boys and Girls Club. In our 5½ years together, we have made many traditions and it is these traditions that make our Congregation stronger and stronger every year.
January will start our year quickly and happily with the Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Flynn. February brings our New Member Shabbat to celebrate all of our new members who joined in 2009. As I think of our new members, what strikes me most is how much their involvement has become such a rich part of the growing community and has made such a positive influence. It is inspiring to see these members and their families making such a positive impact so quickly.
During our New Member Shabbat, we will also reflect back on our 5 years and celebrate what we have accomplished in such a short time. It is incredible to me that CEC began in August 2004 with only 11 families. We are well over 50 families strong and we continue to strengthen our bonds with all that we do, including: lay led services, Men’s Club events, Sisterhood events, Book Club, movie nights and so much more. This year, with the help and dedication of Steve Crowell, we now have a Community Outreach Group that will help the less fortunate in Benton County. Of course, the core part of CEC is our wonderful Shabbat services led by Rabbi Jack and Debbye. With them, we have made our own customs and every Shabbat Service with them is like being with a big extended family.
As 2010 begins, thoughts of our second Congregational Seder, participation in the Multicultural Fair, Rick Recht’s Shabbat Alive program and many more celebrations and gatherings warm my heart. There are still more events that we are scheduling that will keep our Congregation vibrant and engaged.
In closing, I wish you a Happy New Year and I can’t wait to see all of you and start creating happy memories for 2010.
L’shalom, Tom
From The Rabbi’s Desk
By Jack Zanerhaft
Our sages taught that winter is the season for dreams. Every scheduled Torah portion over the last several weeks has had a reference to a least one dream. Recently, we chanted those sections where Joseph interprets two, nearly identical dreams: the first had sheaves in the field bowing, and in the other, the stars, sun and moon were also bowing. We know that young Joseph correctly predicted he was to be elevated in the future to a position of royal authority and indeed he rose to prominence in Egypt. Let’s consider for a moment the qualitative characteristic of the main objects in each of the "twin" visions.
The first is a product of the field, literally foodstuff from the earth. Nothing could be more practical or more suggestive of our daily work, our real life endeavors, our jobs and family needs. The sacred text teaches us we initially must imagine what our vocation will be, and then strive for success, toil till our efforts produce results that are material, substantial and tangible.
Heavenly orbs of light, as described in the latter dream, call to mind something else completely. These are the symbols of the spiritual realm. They hearken to the mysteries of Creation spelled out in Genesis, and of understanding the path to the origin of G-d’s own light. The sun, moon and stars are to inspire us to embrace the tenets of our faith, to ponder the rhythms and ritual of our holidays and the deeper meaning of our written words. We ought to pursue forcefully these lofty matters our tradition asserts, much like working the field to obtain our earthly goals.
As cold nights continue to follow one another, in the next months, together let’s find comfort and direction from a belief system that teaches us to dream dreams both for our practical side and equally for our souls too. Our ancient, yet relevant commentators tell us we can be assured that with the partnership of faith in a power greater than ourselves and true effort, we can, like Joseph, make all those dreams come true.
Shi-mu Nah, Ha’cho-lom A-sher Cho-lam-
Religious School News
Dear Parents,
Hope you all had a fantastic Hanukkah – it was wonderful to see so many of you at CEC’s Hanukkah celebration. It’s hard to believe that we are almost half way through the Religious School year. Your children have been learning so much and it’s really great to see their smiling faces every Sunday.
Molly Glazer from the ISJL visited us for a wonderful weekend in November. Molly led a fun filled Ice Cream Havdallah Service on Saturday night followed by a movie. Thank you to the Sherr family for hosting this event.
The excitement continued on Sunday with a visit from the United Hebrew Congregation Religious School in Joplin, Missouri. We hosted about 12 students, 6 teachers and 14 parents. Molly arranged a program full of learning and crafts that centered around the Torah portion and kindness to animals. CEC and UHC teachers worked together in pairs, while our wonderful parents spent time together getting to know each other. A big thank you to Betsy Rosen for organizing the parents’ breakfast. After a truly jam packed 2 hours, our new friends stayed for lunch before traveling back to Missouri. Thank you to all of the parents you who stayed for breakfast, helped out at RS and/or stayed for lunch. Our visitors really appreciated all that we did and I know that it was a positive experience for everyone involved.
Our Hanukkah store was a big hit this year. Thanks to Marcy Winchester for running the store and making sure things went smoothly. The store was so successful that we are going to open up again in February or March and sell many different Judaica items. If you would like to donate any items or any of your talent and make some products to sell at the store, please let me know.
Our amazing parents hosted a Teacher’s Breakfast in December and it was fantastic – we really appreciated it. Thank you to all the parents who supplied the goodies, set up, served and cleaned up. As some of you may have noticed, Melissa Perlman has been helping out at Religious School. Melissa has substituted for teachers, helped the B’nai Mitzvah students with their prayers and done many other things. A heartfelt thank you to Melissa for volunteering and stepping in whenever it is needed.
We have three weeks off for the Winter Break and we will return to RS on Sunday, January 10th. January and February will be busy with a visit from Camp Jacobs, as well as our annual Tu’Bshvat Seder (complete with a visit from Rabbi Jack and Debbye). Your children are doing terrific. Please make sure that you ask them what they did in RS and that they practice their Hebrew, etc. at home.
I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying being the Director of the Religious School. With such great teachers, parents and students – my job is easy!! I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and I will see you in 2010.
Sincerely, Robyn Douglass
Etz Chaim Donations
Please consider Etz Chaim in your charitable giving. Donations are tax deductible and can be made to thank or honor a friend or relative, remember loved ones and friends, celebrate a special occasion. Support Etz Chaim’s mission and commitment to growing a thriving Jewish Community in NWA or to leave a legacy. Donations can be made to following funds:
• Building Fund
• General Fund
• Simcha Fund
• Torah/Siddur Fund
• Memorial
• Memorial Wall Fund
• Religious School Fund
• Arts Alive
• Rabbi Discretionary Fund
• Mark Yekelchik Scholarship Fund
Prayer books can be donated to thank or honor a loved one, commemorate a Yahrtzeit, celebrate a birthday or anniversary and the list goes on. A bookplate will be inscribed with your message and placed inside the cover of a book. You can donate the Mishkan T’Filah Prayer Book or the Kol Hanoar Children’s Siddurim. Each book can be donated for $36.
Also include:
• which prayer book you are donating
• donated by:
• inscription for book plate
• please send acknowledgement to:
Please send your donations to: Congregation Etz Chaim, PO Box 477, Bentonville, AR 72712
Let’s Remember
During services, we remember loved ones who left us at this time of year. By reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish in their memory, their lives continue to inspire us.
January Yahrtzeits
Edith Roufa Benjamin
Francis Gold
Meyer Goldstein
Beatrice Aronson Manin
Max Allen Winchester
February Yahrtzeits
Reba Goldstein
Frances Hollinger
Marvin Hoodis
Edward Weiner
Recent Giving
Religious School Fund
• A donation was made to the Religious School Fund by Elisabeth and Lawrence Rubin in honor of their grandson, Luke’s baby naming.
• A donation was made to the Religious School Fund by Alan and Nyd Kraushaar in honor of their grandchildren, Isaac and Tova Ruben.
• A donation was made to the Religious School Fund by Bonita and Lewis Lepene.
• A donation was made to the Religious School Fund by the Novick, Shulman and Raphan Families in Memory of Mark Yekelchik.
Siddur Fund
• Two donations were made to the Siddur Fund by the Novick, Shulman and Raphan Families in Memory of Mark Yekelchik.
Mark Yekelchik Scholarship Fund
• A donation was made the Mark Yekelchik Scholarship Fund by the Novick, Shulman and Raphan Families in Memory of Mark Yekelchik.
Other Donations
• Four children’s book were donated to Congregation Etz Chaim by the the Novick, Shulman and Raphan Families in Memory of Mark Yekelchik.
High Holiday Appeal
Donations were made to the High Holiday Appeal fund by the following:
• Jean Srour
• Bonita and Lewis Lepene
• The Friedman Family
Membership News
New Members
Welcome to our latest new members, Irene and Joel Spalter.
Simchas
Congregation Etz Chaim is thrilled to celebrate all of your simchas with you and your family. We want to make sure that your day is special and that we don’t have any calendar conflicts that you may not be aware of. Please contact our President, Tom Douglass, to schedule all of your celebrations, events, etc.
Mazel Tov!
Mazel Tov to the proud grandparents, Sharon and George Wibben, on the birth of their first grandchild. Henry was born on December 11, 2009.
Harrison M. Paull, Cadet Second Class at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs,has been selected to compete as a member of the Air Force Academy’s three-person team at the Concours Jean Pictet Competition on International Humanitarian Law in Montreal, Canada, in March, 2010. The Pictet Competition, held in a different country each year, is a week-long event that will test each team’s training in the fields of International Humanitarian Law (the Laws of Armed Conflict): International Criminal Law and Refugee Law. Law School students, Graduate School students and Service Academy Cadets from around the world gather to compete at the Pictet Competition, which is hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Harrison will begin advanced studies of International Humanitarian Law next semester at the Air Force Academy in preparation for the Pictet Competition, where he is majoring in Law. Harrison is the son of Debra and Lee Paull of Rogers, Arkansas.
Tikkun Olam Award
The Jewish Federation of Arkansas will host the Tikkun Olam Awards Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 6, in Little Rock. This evening begins with a silent auction, followed by dinner and the presentation of the Tikkun Olam award. This award is given yearly to various members of the Jewish community who show selfless volunteerism. This year, CEC’s recipient is Wynnie Hoodis. It is truly a wonderful evening. More information will be sent in January from the Federation.
New Membership Chair
We want to thank Stan and Ellen Kessler for their tireless efforts with the Membership Committee. Stan and Ellen have worked so diligently in obtaining new members and making them feel at home. Although they will remain involved with new members, they will not be leading the committee. Rachel Marler will be the New Membership Chair and she has already jumped in with two feet. Thank you to Rachel for taking on this new role and going ahead full speed.
Community Involvement
Lox Box Program
The CEC Community Outreach Committee, whose goal is to assist the needy of Benton County, is operating a new program for 2010. On January 10th, the committee will be delivering pre-ordered Lox Boxes to our Congregation and neighbors. The Lox Boxes will contain a variety of Einstein bagels, lox, cream cheese and all the fixings. Sizes range from Oy! (2-bagel box) to Oy Vey! (12 bagel box).
Steve Crowell, committee chair, says that the inspiration for the project came from the newspaper. "I was reading the local paper and saw an article about a congregation in Little Rock who had done this project and raised quite a bit of money. We were looking for our next effort and this seemed a natural fit. Who wouldn’t like bagels and lox delivered to their door on a Sunday morning? It’s especially attractive because you can indulge yourself while helping others in need."
The Committee plans on using all proceeds from the project to help the less fortunate of Benton County through their partner organizations in the community. To order your Lox Box contact Steve at spcrowell@yahoo.com by Monday January 10th.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 8 – Lay-led service at 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 – Shabbat service with Rabbi Jack and Debbye at 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 - Ryan Flynn’s Bar Mitzvah at 10 a.m.
Jan. 31 – Rabbi Jack and Debbye to visit Religious School
Feb. 12 – Lay-led service at 7 p.m.
Feb. 26 – New Member Shabbat service and 5 year Celebration with Rabbi Jack and Debbye at 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 – FOJ Class at 9 a.m. 10 a.m. Shabbat service
Save the Date! - April 2, 2010 - Etz Chaim Second Annual Passover Seder