The BARK - March/April 2009
A Note From The President By Tom Douglass
CEC Continues To Grow
Friends,
With so much happening in the world around us, it is comforting to know that the growth, activities, friendship and spirituality of our Congregation continue to remain a stable force in all of our lives.
Our Congregation continues to grow with many new families joining throughout the year. Even when some of our friends move away, many of them return for visits or stay involved from afar. It is nice to hear comments from our new members about how welcoming the Congregation is and how warm our services and events feel. It is that kind of feeling that all of us should be proud of and strive for to keep as part of our identity.
Despite everything that is happening economically around us, we continue to offer you, our family, more opportunities than ever before to be involved within our community. Activities such as visits from Amanda Rainey, our ISJL fellow, and Noa Zalutzki, the Israeli Shilachi. The upcoming event that I am very excited about is our 1st community Passover Seder. Eileen Roufa, Susie Sterling, Evie Adler and Betsy Rosen have been working tirelessly to make this a memorable event. We are also in the planning stages for another visit from the Israeli Scouts this summer.
Spiritually, Rabbi Jack’s Saturday morning Fundamentals of Judaism class has been a great success and is bringing our members more insights into their faith and its personal meaning. Our newly planned monthly lay-led services, organized by Michael Sterling, gives all of us another occasion to celebrate Shabbat as a community and perhaps, slow down our lives and enjoy the moment.
There are also opportunities for us all to get together outside of the Temple. We have a very active Sisterhood and Men’s Club led by Debra Ruben and Aaron Markowitz. The Mingling Maven committee, headed by Wynnie Hoodis, brought us a "friendly hour" at Aloft Hotel. Evie Adler is pioneering a women’s book club. If you have an idea or would like to start a new group, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
During these difficult times, it is important to know that if any congregant should need any support or help, please reach out to us. Our congregation is made up of so many wonderful people who are willing to lend a hand. Another great endeavor for our Congregation is the new Outreach Program headed by Steve Crowell. The intent of this program is to benefit the community outside of CEC. There are so many places that we could help and I can’t wait to see what this committee can do.
In today’s world of techno communication and the Web, we have so many ways of keeping in touch and staying informed about CEC events. If you have not been to the Web site recently, etzchaimnwa.org, you need to check it out. Carolyne Wendel and Wynnie Hoodis have been working extremely hard to make this Web site easy and informative. A great new addition to the site is a "Get Involved" page. This page lists all of the committees and who to contact if you want to help. Additionally, we now have an updated current member roster due to the hard work of Donald Roufa.
As you can see, we are continuing to grow and find new ways to serve the Jewish and local community. As we move through our everyday lives, I encourage each and every one of you to join us for every event, program and service that you can. It is our community, our camaraderie, our brotherhood and sisterhood that refreshes us and gives us the strength to meet anything head on that the world wants to throw at us.
In closing, I would like to remind all of you that these great things do not happen because of magic or pixie dust. It is through the dedication of your Board Members and the efforts of all of our wonderful volunteers within the Congregation that we stay a nourishing, vital and exciting Congregation. Please join them in their efforts and please thank them when you see them. I’m certainly thankful every day for all of these wonderful people and for all of you for allowing me to be a part of it.
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.
March Yahrtzeits
Betty Adler
Philip Birns
Virginia Eischen
Philip Hollinger
Gilbert Joseph Levy
Jorge Luis Mercado
Irving Sklar
April Yahrtzeits
Babe Blankenship
Samuel Meyerson
Regina Zanerhaft
Lay-Led Service Scheduled
Following the success of our February lay-led service, please join us on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. for our next lay-led service and oneg.
If you or your family are interested in participating with either an English or Hebrew prayer or song, contact Michael Sterling at sterlingma1@sbcglobal.net.
Family Seder
The first Etz Chaim Family Seder will be at 6 p.m. Friday, April 10 at the Holiday Inn Springdale. The Seder Committee have been working with great enthusiasm putting all the details together for this exciting event.
The seder will be led by Rabbi Jack and Cantorial Soloist Debbye Zanerhaft, and it will be followed by a lovely three-course dinner, including matzo ball soup!
Advance reservations and payment are required. Please refer to the reservation form included in this newsletter. You will also be receiving a reservation form by "snail mail."
For more information, call Eileen Roufa at 925-3199 or 479-409-9964 (cell).
From The Rabbi’s Desk
By Jack Zanerhaft
Have A Cow
I want you to have a cow. Well, not really. Each of the four Sabbaths that precede Passover possesses a unique name that signifies a special reading in preparation of our Spring festival that commemorates our freedom from slavery in Egypt. One of these is called Shabbat Parah, where Jews around the globe will read Numbers 19:1-22, which covers the mysterious ritual of the Parah Adumah, the "red heifer." The described purification procedure was required of anyone who came in contact with a corpse. A pure red-brown young female cow was burned, its ashes mixed with water, hyssop, and a scarlet natural dye, which was then sprinkled upon the contaminated individual. After a waiting period, the person was considered to be cleansed. This strange and challenging narrative is ripe for questions that became fertile ground for our sages and commentators to ponder. You can almost here the rapidity of queries. Why ashes? Why the mixture with water? Why of all colors, a red cow, and perhaps most basically: Why a cow?
With what at first glance seems like an archaic, esoteric. Near East ritual might be better understood as really reflecting a recurring theme and lesson from the Torah. As Passover approaches, we recall the highlights of that great episode in our history. We love to recount the awe-inspiring and powerful liberation, starting with plagues, to the splitting of the Red Sea, to the manna and other miracles that appeared on our journey in the desert, to the receiving of the Ten Commandments from G-d at Mt. Sinai. Let us remember that in the same passages in Exodus we are also told of perhaps the greatest collective transgression of the freshly minted nation of Israel: the sin of the Golden Calf. Aaron and the balance of the impatient Hebrews, while waiting for Moses to return, melted gold and jewelry, and fashioned a Golden Calf as a temporary deity. The magnitude of making a graven image, a false G-d, and worshipping an idol in the shape of a cow was obviously abhorrent to the Torah, and was underscored as becoming the focus and substance of the very first Commandment. Thus the form of a bovine became a symbol of ultimate failure, lack of faith, and eventual wrongdoing. And yet, the Parah Adumah teaches us it is a cow that is central to spiritual atonement and the attainment of purity of soul. The parallel between the Golden Calf and the red heifer is as striking as it is intentional.
The message is clear and it is one that I have summoned up in previous sermons. The very same object that is a conduit of evil can also be a vessel of good. Examples abound. Nuclear energy can be used as a horrible weapon, or it can be used as an environmentally friendly source of energy. Water can be an instrument of death while at the same time being at the very essence of sustaining life. As is the contradictory possibilities of the cow, so we are taught are we, as people. We can utilize our talents, resources, abilities, effort and time to do good or we can use our faculties for sinful purposes. A new spring season cycles ever closer, and as we consider the deepest levels of slavery and freedom as prelude to Passover, our tradition instructs us well to remember the Parah Adumah – the red cow, so as to emphasize our ability to choose a path of purity, holiness and righteousness.
Limdue Haytiv V’ Asah Tzedakh
Learn to do good and to maintain justice.
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 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
Torah/Siddur Fund
• A donation was made to the Torah/Siddur Fund by Stan and Ellen Kessler in memory of their parents Vivian & Gilbert Levy, Milton Kessler and in Honor of Sylvia Kessler.
Upcoming Events
March 6 — 7 p.m. — Short Shabbat Service and the Megillah reading. Amanda Rainey will lead.
March 7 — 7 p.m. — Ladies Event with Amanda at the building. "Women of the Megillah and Reality Shows."
March 8 — 10 a.m. — Amanda visits Religious School for a School-Wide Purim Program.
March 8 — Noon — Torah Tots Purim fun.
March 9 — 7 p.m. — Sisterhood Event. Meet and make Hamentashen at Debra Ruben’s house.
April 10 — 6 p.m. — CEC’s First Passover Seder at the Holiday Inn in Springdale with Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye. Look for information and a reservation from in this newsletter and your mailbox.
April 11 – 9 a.m. — Fundamentals of Judaism class.
April 11 — 10 a.m. — Shabbat Service
April 12 — 10 a.m. — Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye visit the Religious School.
April 18-19 — Annual Jews in Canoes trip. Look for more information to come from the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.
April 20 – First Meeting for the Women’s Book Club at 7:30pm at Ellen Kessler’s House. Contact Evie Adler for more information
Membership News
Welcome New Members!
• Erin and Eric Fields
• Bobbette and Roger Davis
• Jay and Shelley Levine
• Robert and Megan Brown
Mitzvah
- Here’s the long and short of this mitzvah! Our very own Robyn Douglass just donated 10 inches of her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This program makes free wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer.
- Audrey Levin, a member of the Charity Committee for Walmart Leadership University, worked in conjunction with Walmart Leadership University and Walmart.com Finance Department to secure a $22,690 grant for Helping Hands. The organization recently received their new walk-in freezer which will allow them to accept all the donations of meat they are offered. In the past they have not had the freezer capacity to store all the donations and had to turn away food that they really needed. They will also be purchasing new shopping carts for the Thrift store.
Mazel Tov!
• Congratulations to the proud parents, Matthew and Helene Carter, on the birth of Luke. Luke was welcomed home by very overjoyed siblings, Rachel, Emma, Evan and Nate. Luke was born on Feb. 17.
• Congratulations to the proud grandparents, George and Cindy Flynn, on the birth of Jake. Ryan was very excited to become an Uncle. Lauren gave birth to Jake on Jan. 12.
Know Any Potential Members?
Do you know somebody Jewish who is new to the area or has been here for awhile and wants to become part of CEC? If you do, please contact our Membership Chairs, Ellen and Stan Kessler, at 273-1105. It’s a goal at CEC to warmly welcome and involve all Jews in our area.
Let’s Bake! It’s Purim time!
All women are invited to a Sisterhood Hamentashen bake at 7 p.m., Monday, March 9, at the home of Debra Ruben, 5405 Bent Tree Drive in Rogers. Bring some premade dough (as you’ll need it to chill) and Debra will provide the fillings. Call Debra at 631-1972 to RSVP.
Book Club’s First Meeting
Women of Etz Chaim are invited to attend the first meeting of the Women’s Book Group at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20. Ellen Kessler will be the hostess for the organizational meeting and first book discussion at her home at 206 Devon Green in Bentonville.
"Those Who Save Us" by Jenna Blum will be discussed and plans for future meeting dates and times and book selections will be made.
"Those Who Save Us" is a novel alternating in time between the Resistance Movement during WW II in Germany and the present in Minnesota. It is a compelling story of mother and daughter relationships. According to Jewish Book World "The themes of love, sacrifice and family secrets are at the core of Blum’s powerful first novel...(a) fast-paced page turner." Barnes and Noble in Rogers has several copies of the paperback book in stock and additional copies may be ordered.
Let’s join together and provide input for our new group! RSVP to Evie Adler at 855-2233 or evieadler@yahoo.com.
Tikkun Olam Award
Congratulations to Robyn Douglass for being this year’s recipient of the Jane B. Mendel Tikkun Olam Award. The Jewish Federation of Arkansas recognizes individuals from each of the Jewish organizations/congregations throughout Arkansas who embody the spirit of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). This award is given to volunteers who give of their precious time and energy.
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.
Religious School News
Parents,
Religious School has been jam packed these past two months. In January, Noa Zalutzki, the Israeli Shalicha, came to visit us. Noa did a program on Israel and the students really learned a lot and had fun. I think that seeing the huge map of Israel that Noa brought really put things in perspective.
In February, Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye led a wonderful Children’s Service, but it is your children who really were the stars of the show. Every student participated and I know how proud we all were to see all the children do such a fantastic job. During this service, we also had a Consecration Ceremony for our Kindergarten class. We "welcomed" six students into the beginning of their formal Jewish education. The weekend continued with a Tu B’shvat Seder led by Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye for the Religious School. Every student took part in the fun and it was evident how much they all are learning. The weekend was truly an inspiring one.
It is hard to believe that we only have eight Sunday classes left. Amanda will again be visiting us the weekend of March 6 for a packed weekend and some extra Purim fun on Sunday, March 8. Rabbi Jack and Cantor Debbye will be with us once again on the weekend of April 10 and visiting us at RS on April 12.
We won’t be doing a mock Seder at RS this year because we will all have the opportunity to take part in the Community Seder on April 10. The children will have a chance to participate in the Seder and let’s not forget about all of the fun hunting for the Afikoman. It will be a great night and I encourage you all to attend.
As usual, I don’t want an opportunity to go by without thanking the wonderful parents who volunteer each week with snacks, helping out, and doing whatever else is needed. A huge thank you and lots of gratitude go out to all of the incredible RS teachers. The students are learning so much and really enjoying it, which is something that could not be accomplished without each and every one of you. Religious School is a group effort and every teacher, every parent, every student is a part of this wonderful puzzle. Let’s keep the momentum going and let’s all keep growing together!!
Sincerely,
Robyn Douglass
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