Our Minchag, or Jewish Ritual, committee is looking for new members. All are welcome to attend. We will be discussing Jewish practices at our services. For more information about the next meeting please call Betsy Rosen, Committee Chair, at 271-9630 or rosenfamily@cox.net.

This year, for the first time, Congregation Etz Chaim will have a Community Seder for members. Many members are singles, newlyweds, empty nesters or are just very busy during the week, who may not be able to have a complete Passover Seder meal at their home. This is a great way to connect as a Congregation and take part as Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye lead us in a Passover Seder. The CEC Passover Seder is scheduled for Friday, April 10. This will allow congregants who have a Seder at their house on the first and second nights to participate in a community event. It also doesn’t hurt that there isn’t any school or work the next day! Further details to come.

Want to celebrate or mark a special occasion? Consider sponsoring an oneg after Shabbat services. Contact Jean Srour at (479) 422-2145.

In the coming weeks, as we read the Torah, we will say goodbye to B’reishit, and say hello to the second book. Sh’mot, although translated as Exodus, the title word actually means "names." Transitions indeed abound, both within and outside of Etz Chaim. As we move through to a new secular year, we acknowledged our newest members, and institutionally, plans are under way for our inaugural congregational Seder, and beyond that, our fifth-year anniversary celebration is in clear view. While we in the U.S. anticipate the presence of a history-making president, shortly our Israeli sisters and brothers, in a most perilous time, will be electing a new government too. Our tradition teaches that we welcome change as inevitable, and thus we should focus on making the moment of movement meaningful in a positive way.

As our sacred text’s narrative unfolds, we learn about our ancestors, an extended clan that evolves from the abyss of slavery to a defined, free and purpose-driven nation. Growing, maturing, and drawing from the harsh reality of collective experience, the story of our people’s principles instructs us wisely. Becoming bigger, stronger, and knowledgeable brings with it the divinely inspired moral imperative to do more to be better to becoming increasingly sensitive to the needs of others, particularly the less fortunate. For as we add goodness within our own lives and in the world around us we ensure a good name for ourselves, our synagogue and our faith. But, when we look around today, what names dominate our attention?

Mumbai and Madoff. Murder and greed. Al Qaeda, Taliban and Hamas. Destruction, hatred and terrorism. Let’s resolve as individuals, a community, as a people and a country to promote charity, caring and acts of kindness. In this way, may we be assured instead to hear names associated with love, accord and harmony.

Let peace already come to everyone.

Rabbi Jack

A new fund has been established to honor the memory of Mark Yekelchik. Mark was a very active member of the congregation and his passions were the Religious School and Jewish Summer Camp. To help Mark’s legacy live on, we have established the Mark Yekelchik Religious School and Camp Scholarship fund. With this fund, we hope that no child will miss out on a Jewish school or camp experience.

Congratulations to Robyn Douglass for being this year’s recipient of the Jane B. Mendel Tikkun Olam Award

This award is given to volunteers who give of their precious time and energy. We are happy to announce that Robyn will receive the Tikkun Olam Award this year.

The Jewish Federation will honor all the recipients at a dinner to be held on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Peabody Hotel Ballroom in Little Rock. This fun evening will include the awards ceremony, dinner and a silent auction. For more information, watch for an invitation in the mail or contact Tom Douglass or the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.

• Condolences to Angi, Holden and the family and friends of Mark Yekelchik on Mark’s passing. May the memory of the righteous be forever a blessing.

• Condolences to the family and friends on the passing of Jay Lewis. May the memory of the righteous be forever a blessing.

If you are interested in reading books by Jewish authors, books with Jewish themes, and books about biblical or contemporary Jewish women and families, let’s put our thoughts together. Many possibilities exist for the opportunity to meet as a group, explore our heritage, discuss a book relating to Jewish women and share our views.