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Parasha Jethro
22 Shevat 5764
February 14, 2004, 2004
No Torah portion has been studied more than this one. This week we stand with our ancestors at Sinai as we read the 10 Commandments. The Ten Commandments are by far the most universally known and most widely commented upon verses in Torah. Although there are literally hundreds of commandments given throughout Torah, these 10 utterances (that is the literal translation) from God provide the moral and legal underpinnings of our society.
Each of the 10 Commandments, in its own way, is critical to the survival of a just society. Certainly, a society that might tolerate murder, theft or maintian a judcial system based on perjury can not long endure. Yet, God does not tie the continued survival of a society to any of the last five negative commandments. Instead, God ties the ongoing life of a society to the fifth Commandment: "Honor your father and your mother that you may long endure on the land.." Why did God select the fifth Commandment as the basis for an enduring society? Perhaps it is because the Commandment to honor one's father and mother is the most difficult to understand and, sometimes, the hardest to keep.
God chose the Hebrew word cabed, honor, to describe the approprate attitude of children toward their parents. Yet, the word "honor" is susceptible to some many different interpretations. As young children, it is easy. We honor our parents through obedience and respectful behavior. As we grow, however, we realize that our relationship with our parents is more complex; that inevitably we will make decisions in our lives that are contrary to the wishes of our parents. This is natural, it is part of becoming a mature adult. Yet, the process can be a painful one, as our lives take directions that might not fit our parents' dreams for us. How then do we honor our parents while simultaneously reducing their influence on us? How do we learn when to accept their wisdom or reject their well-meaning advice?
Then, before you know it, the roles have been reversed and we find ourselves increasingly attempting to influence the actions and life decisions of our parents instead of the other way around. How do we honor an aging parent who still wishes to drive or who is no longer able to care for themselves at home? How do we juggle the financial and emotion demands of our own families while simultaneously caring for our parents in their old age? And the issues become even more complex when a parent lives many miles away, when we simply can't be there for them physically. How do we honor our parents then? Within our congregation, there are many who are struggling now, or have stuggled in the past, with this very issue. It is, therefore, important that we help each other to share this obligation to honor our parents. We need to support each other, to share information about options and strategies, and to share mutual stories of struggle and pain. For it is through caring for one another as together we continue to learn the meaning of honoring our parents that our temple family will endure l'dor v'dor, from generation to generation.
Rabbi Alan Freedman
Back To TopFriday Night Shabbat Services
Rabbi Alan Freedman leads Shabbat Services each Friday night in the Community Hall of the DJCC. Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein provides music each Shabbat evening service unless otherwise noted. Each service is followed by an Oneg.
Upcoming Services
Friday, February 13
7:30 – 7:45 p.m. Shabbat Sing-Along, led by Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein.
7:45 p.m. Shabbat Services, led by Rabbi Alan Freedman and Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein.
Saturday, February 14
10:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Jordan Sessler in the Community Hall at the JCAA.
Friday, February 20
6:30 p.m. Family Shabbat Service, led by Rabbi Alan Freedman with music by Tiffany Goodman-Bilbe.
Friday, February 27
7:30 – 7:45 p.m. Shabbat Sing-Along, led by Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein.
7:45 p.m. Shabbat Service, led by Congregants Rachel & Michael McNamara and Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein.
Babysitting is now available for Shabbat evening services every Friday night (does not include Tot Shabbat service times). No need to make a reservation.
Shabbat Sing-Along!!
LOVE TO SING old favorite Jewish songs and learn new ones? Join Abby Gostein and the TBS community for a fun-filled SHABBAT SING-ALONG (only love of music is required)
Feb 13 and Feb 27
7:30pm-7:45pm (just prior to the congregational Shabbat service)
Hope to see you there!
Shabbat Morning Torah Service/Torah Study
Rabbi Freedman leads Torah Study and a Torah Service on the first and third Saturday of each month. The next Torah Service/Torah Study will be held on Saturday February 21st in room 150C of the Community Hall. Torah Study begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Torah Service following at 11:00 a.m.
Special Ritual Event: Bar Mitzvah of Jordan Sessler
This special event will be held on Saturday morning, February 14, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Hall at the JCAA.
HELP WANTED !
Are you interested in planning the future programs for Adult Education? Would you like to help us develop a survey to determine the Adult Education needs for the coming year? Do you want to work with a committed committee and the Rabbi to make sure we are addressing the needs of the congregation? If so, WE WANT YOU! Please contact Ira Goodman 418-1905, igoodman@austin.rr.com.
The Prophets
Temple Beth Shalom and the Lifelong Learning and Social Action Committees of Congregation Beth Israel jointly sponsor this month-long series exploring the Hebrew Prophets and their relevance to modern life. Just a reminder. We are really looking forward to this series and excited about co-sponsoring it with Beth Israel. The planned location for each class is the Beth Israel chapel.
Wednesday, Feb 4, 7:00 p.m.
The Prophets and Economic Justice, Rabbi Benjamin Sternman
Wednesday, Feb 11, 7:00 p.m.
The Prophets in Historical Context, Rabbi Steven Folberg
Wednesday, Feb 18, 7:00 p.m.
Heschel and the Prophets, Rabbi Alan Freedman
Wednesday, Feb 25, 7:00 p.m.
How the Prophets Influenced Modern Music, Cantor Jaime Shpall
Rabbi's Lunch Time Seminars
Please mark your calendar for the monthly lunch time seminars with the Rabbi: Second Wednesday of each month 12 Noon to 1:30PM at JCAA in the RabbiÆs office. The seminars are open to the community
Contact Ira Goodman by email or call 418-1905 for more information.
RabbiÆs Lunch Time Seminars
Please mark your calendar for the monthly lunch time seminars with the Rabbi: Second Wednesday of each month 12 Noon to 1:30PM at JCAA in the RabbiÆs office. The seminars are open to the community
February 11- Beyond the Intifada: Other Current Issues in Israel
Our vision of what is happening in Israel is formed by the American media, which focuses on the Intifada. There are many more serious and complex issues facing Israeli society that deserve our attention. Though Israeli media sources we will examine some of these issues such as the ongoing effects of a faltering economy and clashes between religious and cultural Jews.
March 10 - WhatÆs So Kosher About Passover?
As the Passover season approaches, weÆll look at various food traditions associated with Passover. What is new at the Kosher Store? What are our options for preparing our households for Passover and what traditions/ceremonies can add to our Passover observance?
The Passover Experience
A three-session Passover course û 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on March 17, 24, and 31. Topics will include:
ò Themes, symbols, and foods for Passover
ò Making the Seder a special experience for children and adults
Contact Ira Goodman by email or call 418-1905 for more information.
Temple Beth Shalom Blood Drive
Temple Beth Shalom is sponsoring a blood drive at the DJCC, room 150-D, on Sunday February 22, 2004 from 9AM - 1PM.
We are a very busy, involved congregation Beth Shalom, offering a variety of projects for our congregants to fulfill the commandment of Tzedakah. Contact the coordinators of programs which interest you. Please get involved soon! It is a great way to meet our members and help our community. For further information about the Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Shalom, contact: co-chairs: Susan Laves- stuartlaves@austin.rr.com and Beverly Whitley - jbwhitley@mail.utexas.edu.
Blood Drive-Sunday, February 22
Easy to do and so worthwhile. Held at the JCCA. You need set aside only 1 hour and afterwards get to enjoy cookies and orange juice! Sign-up opportunities soon. Randy Greenberg- rsg@us.ibm.com
Mitzvah Day-Sunday, April 25th
Our entire Austin Jewish Community Annual Volunteer Day. All the Jewish congregations work on several dozen worthy Austin area projects like painting houses for Habitat for Humanity, sorting cans at the food bank, making cookies for firefighters, and so much more. Plan to join us! We need volunteer coordinators-interested? Email Susan Laves – stuartlaves@austin.rr.com or Beverly Whitley - jbwhitley@mail.utexas.edu.
Tzedakah Boxes
Our congregation distributes the silver boxes at Shabbat Services and Sunday School. Funds collected are used for Social Action projects of Temple Beth Shalom. Pick up a can and bring it back full of coins. Then grab a receipt for taxes--and get a new, empty box to fill! Susan Laves – stuartlaves@austin.rr.com.
Slovakia Pen Pals
Our member, Ron Klayman, has introduced this great Pen Pal project to the Temple Beth Shalom Religious School with Jewish students in Slovakia. We will post letters as they arrive! If your child receives a pen pal letter at your home email address be sure to share it with us! Ron Klayman- ronbarbklayman@austin.rr.com
Meals on Wheels
Each week we deliver meals and a smile. Happy congregants involved include : Lois and Ira Goodman, Merry Ballis, Tiffany Goodman-Bilbe, Lisa Goodman, Beverly Whitley, Marcia Kohm, Carol Dochen, Kara Snelson, Lydia and Harold Servetnick, Jeri Saper, and Karen Wolchansky. Lois Goodman- loisgoodman@austin.rr.com
Crop Walk-Sunday, March 7th
Amy Greenspan, of Congregation Beth Israel, greenspans@att.net or 453-8119, would love for you to sign up to Walk for Hunger. This is a city-wide event. Let's form a TBS team!
Story Book Project
Member Judy Fox, reports our congregation's involvement has been featured in an article by the National Crime Prevention Council. Several congregants travel to the women's prison in Gatesville to assist female "mom" inmates read and record on tape children's books. Those recordings are sent to their children to listen to over and over as a substitute for their mother's presence. The congregation gets letters of heartfelt praise from the kids-it makes you cry. If you have one or two Saturdays a year to spare, join this active group of volunteers. Judy Fox coordinates - judyfox@ev1.net.
Undercover Project
Start buying packages of men's underwear and socks and save gently-worn towels. Soon we will collect them for distribution to our city's homeless population. Beverly Whitley - jbwhitley@mail.utexas.edu
For families with children ages 5 and under
We want to hear from you! If you haven't turned in a Shalomites family survey, please contact Tiffany at tgoodmanbilbe@austin.rr.com.
NEW TBS playgroup! Want to meet other Jewish mommies and their little ones? Join us on Tuesday mornings from 9-11:30. The next two weeks (Tuesday, the 10th & 17th) we're meeting at Abby Gostein's house. Contact Abby for directions and to RSVP at 343-8434 or gosteins@sbcglobal.net. If you're interested in hosting a playtime, let us know. Please contact Abby.
Join us for an Evening of Comedy and Hilarious Improvisational Theater
Temple Beth Shalom is going to a Performance of the AUSTIN NATIONAL COMEDY THEATER at the HIDEOUT COMEDY CLUB, 617 CONGRESS, on Saturday, February 21st at 7 p.m. Ticket Price: $10.00 per person. Food and Fellowship after the performance at a nearby Eatery (Dutch Treat). Checks need to be sent promptly for the reserved seats to Marion Werner. Tel:342-8595 or mwer1@realtime.net.
T.B.S. T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE!
New to TBS? Missed out on getting a TBS t-shirt last year? Had a new addition to your family? Stained your old t-shirt and need a new one? We wear our TBS t-shirts on mitzvah days, social action days, and anytime we want to show how proud we are to be part of the TBS family. Please contact Lisa Goodman at 918-1423 or e-mail her at lisagoodman37@aol.com ASAP if you are interested in ordering t-shirts for just one, or the entire family!
Upcoming Sisterhood Events
Women's Torah Study: Sex in the Text - The Role of Sex in Relationships based on Torah
Tuesday, February 10 from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm (location TBA). We will be studying various passages from the book "Sex in the Text" and looking at how sex is portrayed in the bible and what role is plays in relationships. Specific topics of discussion will include: sexual relations between husband and wife, the sacredness of sex and sexual pleasure. The format for the study will be breakouts of small groups to dialogue on a particular topic from the text and answer questions and will conclude with the groups reconvening to present what was discussed. The evening promises to be both interesting and enlighting and one should come away from the study with a deeper awareness of how Judiaism understands sexuality. Please call Sisterhood member Stephanie Puente at 418-9594 or email her at spuente@aol.com if you are interested in attending. Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 3.
Temple Beth Shalom Purim Celebration - Friday March 5
6:30pm Children's Service
7:45pm Adult Service
More details soon!
Sisterhood Shabbat - Friday April 30
Mark your calendar for this very special evening.
For more information on joining TBS Sisterhood, please contact Lisa Goodman at 918-1423
GENERAL FUND
In memory of Marc Robin
Lynne and Steve Gellman
Mazel Tov to the following Temple Beth Shalom adult members who are celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries for the weeks of February 9 - 15.
Birthdays
February 9 Audrey Wolchansky February 10 Judith Clack February 10 Suzanne Albert February 12 Debbie Rodell February 12 Judy Fox February 14 Diane Librach February 15 Robin Anne
Anniversaries
February 12 Ron Cowen and Susan Miller Please contact Lis Chozick atlchozick@austin.rr.com if you have any corrections or if you have been inadvertently left off the list.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "J" and THE COMMUNITY
Austin POWERS: The 2004 JCC Maccabi Games
Host Families Needed!
Showcase Austin's famous southern hospitality andwelcome young Maccabi participants into your home for 5 days this summer. Wewant your family to POWER the Games as a host family. Your participationis essential to ensure the success of the Games.
Host families are asked to:
* House two or more visiting athletes fromAugust 1-6, 2004.
* Provide breakfasts and two dinners duringthe week.
* Provide safe transportation for theathletes to the "J" and convenient drop-off areas once in the morning and tohome at night.
* Provide their guests with an evening ofentertainment on Host Family Night.
* Provide a Jewish household.
* Attend one of several brief orientationsprior to the Games.
For more information on becoming a host family,contact host family chairpersons, Arlene Maze at 345-8549 or afmaze@swbell.netCandy Goldstein at 346-4168 or email canland1@aol.com.To register online visit: www.austinmaccabi2004.org.
Jewish Studies and Beyond Lecture Series
The Jewish Studies Program at the University of Texas at Austin is pleased to announce the 2003-2004 series of lectures in its annual event, Jewish Studies and Beyond. Four speakersùDavid Weiss Halivni of Columbia University, Eli Zaretsky of the New School for Social Research, Susannah Heschel of Dartmouth University, and Kathryn Hellerstein of the University of Pennsylvaniaùwill be featured at 7:30 PM on February12 &25, March 30, and April 26 at the Harry Ransom Center at UT. Reflecting a wide range of topics, all lectures are free and public, open to both campus and Austin communities at large. Parking for the Harry Ransom Center (which is located at 22nd and Guadalupe) is either on street or at Dobie Mall. For inquiries, contact Prof. Adam Zachary Newton at 512.471.8532 or at adam.zach@mail.utexas.edu.
MOSAIC 2004
5th Annual JCAA Women's Division Mosaic Luncheon
Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 10:30 AM
At the Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Boulevard
Guest Speaker: Linda Scherzer, former Middle East correspondent for CNN and Israeli Television.
2004 Ayshet Chayil (Woman of Valor): Audrey R. Maislin
$30 Prepaid Couvert for Lunch
Minimum $150 Promise to the JCAA Annual United Jewish Campaign
Look for your invitation soon. RSVP by February 1 to reserve a seat.
Any questions? Call 735-8078.
ôJö Offers Tu BÆShvat Membership Special!
Refer a friend to the J during the month of February and get a tree planted in your honor! Help a friend turn over a new leaf and begin their fitness program! If you refer a new member in February, we'll say thanks with a tree in your name! It's our way of Recognizing You and Tu B'Shevat...the New Year for Trees! Interested? Contact the membership services office at 735-8026. .
Austin Jewish Film Festival Mar 27-Apr 3
The Jewish Community Association of Austin and Congregation Agudas Achim's AgudasArts are pleased to present the Second Annual Austin Jewish Film Festival, an exiting week of contemporary Jewish films accompanied by the insight of the visionary filmmakers, producers and actors who made them possible. Last year's sold-out houses raved about the inaugural festival's addition to our city's thriving film scene. This year the Austin Jewish Film Festival aspires to continue the tradition of introducing the community to provocative independent, feature and international films. The Festival will be the week of Saturday, March 27 through Saturday, April 3, 2004. All films will be shown at this year's Sponsoring Theatre, Arbor Cinema @ Great Hills, 9828 Great Hills Trail.
Kick back, watch films and meet filmmakers, as the Austin Jewish Film Festival takes you beyond the screen. Tickets are $7.50 each or $54.00 for a festival pass. For tickets or information call 735-8058
For more information about our congregation, please visit http://www.bethshalomaustin.org.
Contact info
Mailing Address:
Temple Beth Shalom
7300 Hart Lane
Austin, TX 78731
Phone
(512) 735-8900
General E-mail
admin@bethshalomaustin.org
Rabbi's contact info:
rabbifreedman@bethshalomaustin.org
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