The BARK May/June 2009
Busy Summer Ahead For CEC
A Note From The President By Tom Douglass
Friends,
As we move towards the summer months, it is thrilling to see all of the new traditions and events our Congregations has created and will create in the future. The past couple of months have been filled with many "firsts" for CEC and it is something that is truly extraordinary.
Our first Community Seder took place in April. This was a vision of mine for several years and it could not have come to fruition without the wonderful support and organizational skills of four very special women: Eileen Roufa, Evie Adler, Susie Sterling and Betsy Rosen. The spirit-filled and educational Seder was officiated by Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye. I am still in awe that we had nearly 100 people in attendance and the feeling that everyone left with was one of spirituality and camaraderie.
The first Women’s Book Club meeting, led by Evie Adler, was a huge success and they will continue to meet every other month. Thanks to Mark Levine who organized another movie night with the support of Marjorie Rosen. The Men’s Club and Sisterhood have also been busy with monthly dinners. Michael Sterling has continued to organize and lead monthly lay-led Shabbat services. Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye’s weekend visits are always uplifting and members are truly enjoying and learning from the Fundamentals of Judaism class.
During this very wet spring, the sun appropriately came out long enough for us to greet our new friends from Beth Sholom Synagogue. Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein, his wife Sharona, Board President Bruce Newman and his wife and Executive Director Barbara Newman drove from Memphis to deliver and donate a Torah Table to CEC. This has actually been in the workings for over a year and it was incredible to hear about the journey. The Torah Table is originally from Blytheville and Bruce shared the story of the history of the table from Arkansas to Memphis and back to Arkansas again. Thank you to Betsy Rosen and Ida Fineberg for organizing the Meet and Greet. Special thanks to Ida and Steve Fineberg for opening their home to the Congregation and our special guests. I need to also thank Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye for coming to Bentonville for this event and sharing the Bima with Rabbi Aaron for this special service. Finally, I should touch on the spontaneous and heartfelt gift that Mark Levine gave to Beth Sholom on the behalf of his family and the Congregation. In a truly emotional moment, Mark gave one of his favorite pieces of art, created by his father and on display in our building, to the delegation. They were moved and assured us that it will be hanging in a place of honor at their Synagogue.
In June, we will be having our annual Congregational Meeting. We will talk about this past year as well as look ahead to next year. At this time, you can pick up your membership forms for CEC’s next fiscal year which will begin on July 1st. I look forward to seeing you as we share our plans for the upcoming 12 months.
The Israeli Scouts will be visiting us from July 17-19. Thank you to Tarnya Eshel for spearheading and organizing this event.
In closing, I would like to thank each and every one of you. Your time, contributions and support are what makes this community so special and such a pleasure to be a part of. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at many of the upcoming events.
L’shalom,
Tom
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.
May Yahrtzeits
Mannie Adler
Fred Birns
Jack Lasater
Isaac Mitrani
Isidore Wasserman
Leo Zanerhaft
June Yahrtzeits
Manya Baramova
Vivian Zeesman Levy
Harry Rosen
Marc Turoff
Anthony Wendel
Steven Wendel
Oneg Sponsors Needed
Want to celebrate or mark a special occasion? Consider sponsoring an oneg after Shabbat services. Contact Jean Srour at (479) 422-2145
Upcoming Events
May 13 – Men’s Club at Arvest Ballpark at 6 p.m.
May 29 – Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m.
May 30 – Zach Crowell’s Bar Mitzvah at 10 a.m.
June 12 – Shabbat Service at 7 p.m.
Chloe Wiede’s baby naming
June 13 – Jack Berger’s Bar Mitzvah at 10 a.m.
June 14 – Year End Congregational Meeting at 10 a.m.
June 16 – Women’s Book Club meeting at 7 p.m. at the Border’s Coffee Shoppe
July 17-19 – Visit from the Israeli Scouts. Events and times TBA.
July 24 – Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m.
July 25 – Ryan and Jason Friedman’s Bar Mitzvah at 10 a.m.
August 14 – Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m.
August 15 – Michael Douglass’ Bar Mitzvah at 10 a.m.
From the Rabbi's Desk
By: Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft
Take two tablets, and call me in the morning. Probably not what the Almighty said to Moses atop Sinai, when the Ten Commandments were first presented to humankind.
During our next visit, we will be celebrating Zach Crowell’s Bar Mitzvah, as well as commemorating She-vu-ot, the pilgrimage "Festival of Weeks," so called because it always falls exactly seven weeks from Passover (the Omer period). On this date, our tradition tells us, Israel received the Torah. This is therefore a joyous, jubilant holiday on our people’s liturgical calendar.
There are various customs and laws associated with She-vu-ot. One is adorning your synagogue with natural greenery. Tipping our collective kippah to the swing of agricultural seasons, this symbol of inevitable growth is as pleasing as it is apparent. A sweet Midrash however, emphasizes that the green is to remind us that the mount chosen to be the place where we bonded with the word of the Creator was the greenest mountain, not the tallest, a true lesson about the importance of humility. But, naturally, the true focus of Shevuot is the Torah.
As we share this occasion, let us together consider one of the core messages contained in the scroll. Although there is a consistent and strong vision in our text of community and nationhood, the notion that an individual has the capacity and thus obligation to try to do good, is crucial to our understanding of Judaism’s approach to life. Moreover, the narrative’s definitional description that we were all created "in G-d’s image" underscores the power we possess as people to singularly attempt to make the world a just and righteous place. Our simple acts of love, kindness and charity, of treating each other with respect and compassion, requires no intermediary, no special siddur, no quorum at a synagogue. As we honor the anniversary of being gifted the wisdom of the Torah, let’s conduct our lives in a way that remembers that each person is a priest, every psalm sung is a sacred sacrifice, every home a temple, every heart a Holy of Holies.
P’tach li-bi b’to-rah te-cha, u-v’mitz-vo-te-cha tir-dof naf-shi.
May our hearts and souls be open to pursue Torah and good deeds.
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 in any amount are greatly appreciated and 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
Please send your donations to: Congregation Etz Chaim, PO Box 477, Bentonville, AR 72712
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:
Recent Giving
Religious School Fund
• A donation was made by Carol Novick in honor of Harry Yekelchik on the anniversary of his Yahrzeit.
General Fund
• A donation was made by Stan and Ellen Kessler in honor of David Hoodis winning the Matzoh Brei Cook-off.
• A donation was made by David Daniels.
Mark Yekelchik Scholarship Fund
• A donation was made by Carol Novick in honor of Harry Yekelchik (Mark’s father) on the anniversary of his Yahrzeit.
Torah/Siddur Fund
• A donation was made by Betsy, Marc, Josh and Alana Rosen in honor of their friend and teacher Robyn Douglass for receiving the Tikkun Olam Award.
On April 26, a Torah table finally completed its roundtrip journey from Arkansas to Tennessee and back again. Temple Beth Sholom drove from Memphis to present a Torah table to CEC. The table originally belonged to a synagogue in Blytheville. Beth Sholom origins are similar to CEC’s. The Memphis congregation formed in a living room — in 1954. Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein, his wife Sharona, Board President Bruce Newman and his wife and Executive Director Barbara Newman made the trip to deliver to the Torah Table.
Welcome New Members
• Elayne and Dick Harlow
• Jonathan and Elizabeth Solomon
• Sam Steinberg
• Michele Marks
Welcome Back!
• Richard and Joanne Ginsberg
Mazel Tov
Congratulations to the proud grandparents (for the 2nd time in 3 months), George and Cindy Flynn, on the birth of Emerson. Ryan was also very excited to become an Uncle again. Brianna gave birth to Emerson on March 12, 2009.
Congratulations, for the 3rd time, to the proud grandparents, George and Cindy Flynn on the birth of Scarlett. Ryan has his Uncle job cut out for him for the 3rd time. Marissa gave birth to Scarlett on April 25, 2009.
Women’s Book Club
Seven women from Etz Chaim enjoyed a lively book discussion on April 20 and set some guidelines for future gatherings. We plan to meet during the third week of every other month.
Our next book group is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. in the Borders Coffee Shoppe at The Promenade. The group has chosen to read The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis, a novel set in an Orthodox Jewish community in Memphis. An unconventional New York convert arrives to teach in the girls’ Yeshiva and causes quite a stir. Eileen Roufa has volunteered to lead the discussion. Borders is ordering about 10 copies of the paperback and the books should be in stock within the week. We hope you will join us and share a title of another book for the group to read. Please mark your calendars now! As the meeting date approaches, we will need to know if you are attending. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail Evie Adler at evieadler@yahoo.com.
Men’s Club Event
The Men’s Club goes to a baseball game! The next Men’s Club meeting will be at the Naturals Game at Arvest Ballpark on May 13th. We will meet at 6PM at the ticket office. The game starts at 6:30. Tickets are $8 to $12 and parking is $3 so carpool if you can. Please contact Aaron Markowitz at pittsam1@aol.com or at 501.940.8275 if you have any questions.
2008-2009 Dues Reminder
A kindly reminder that our current 2008/2009 fiscal year is quickly coming to an end on June 30th! All membership pledges made the past 10 months helped us create our past year’s operating budget and will go a long way ensuring we start our next fiscal year on a healthy financial footing. Please remember that our fiscal year is July 1st - June 30th regardless of when you join. Congregation Etz Chaim’s new fiscal dues year will begin on July 1, 2009. If you have any questions as to the amount you have pledged and/or paid for the 2008-2009 CEC fiscal year, please contact our hard working treasurer, Ed Gelman.
Israeli Scouts Caravan
The Israeli Scouts caravan will be visiting us again this year. They will arrive Friday, July 17th mid-morning and leave on Sunday July 19th in the early morning.
A huge thank you goes out to Tarnya Eshel who will be will coordinating and organizing the events for the weekend, as well arranging housing for the Scouts. If you would like to help with the planning and/or if you are able to "house" a Scout, please contact Tarnya at tarnyaeshel@aol.com or (479) 621-8980.
Religious School News
Dear Parents,
It seems like just yesterday, I was ordering books for Religious School. The time has just flown by and I am already energized thinking about the next Religious School year. Again, we had a couple of jam packed months.
Amanda Rainey visited us in March for some Purim fun. Children had a chance to wear their costumes, make noise makers and hear the Megillah on Friday night. The fun continued on Sunday with the classes rotating to different stations: hamantashan making, song/charades and 2 crafts. The weather was beautiful and we even had some outdoor fun. Rabbi Jack and Debbye visited us in April and they spent time with all the classes. Of course, what visit from Rabbi Jack and Debbye would be complete without a wonderful story, a surprise treat and singing? Each of these weekends just added to the wonderful year.
All the children have learned so much. Kindergarten made their own Torah books and they know the entire alef bet. The 2nd/3rd grade class studied the Holidays more in depth, as well as learned about Jewish values. In Hebrew, they are already putting together what they have learned and reading Hebrew words. In fact, they are having a big Bingo contest against the 4th/5th graders during the last day of school. The 4th /5th grade class learned about life cycle events and Israel. In Hebrew, they have already learned some of the prayers and they are not using the transliteration.
As for the B’nai Mitzvah class, their learning that has spanned over 2 years is phenomenal. This will be quite evident during all of the upcoming Bar Mitzvahs; Zach Crowell in May, Jack Berger in June, Ryan and Jason Friedman in July and Michael Douglass in August. All of these boys have been working extremely hard for the past 2 years and their Bar Mitzvahs are the joyous culmination of their studies. We are hoping to start a Youth group next RS year led by Ryan and Michelle Malashock. This will be the start of another chapter for all of our Post B’nai students. It will be a time when they can all get together with other Jewish kids, have fun, nosh, talk and just "hang out." This will give them a place where they can discuss any issues that they may encounter in their everyday life being Jewish in NWA with others that may be going through the same thing.
I can’t close this letter without thanking the wonderful teachers for this year. What your children have learned, is a direct product of these incredible adults who give of their time so willingly. A heartfelt thank you to Helene Carter, Carol Stuckey, Lauren Levine, Wynnie Hoodis, Ryan Malashock and Steve Crowell. I also need to send a huge thanks to all of the parents who have brought snack, substituted and helped with all of our special events.
Thank you for making my first year as director, a fantastic one. I truly look forward to another exciting year. I will be sending out new Religious School packets in June. Even though there will be some repetition, please fill out the forms completely and return them by the date requested. If you have any questions about next year, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Robyn
Youth Group News
We are currently forming a youth group. Any Jewish teenager (post Bar/Bat Mitzvah) is invited to join. Ryan and Michelle Malashock will lead this new and exciting group. The group will meet once a month for a fun activity, food and great conversation. It’s a great way to stay connected to the Jewish community and to feel like part of CEC. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Robyn Douglass at home or at robyntom91@cox.net. CEC’s Youth Group will have their first meeting after the summer.
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